Player-manager Garry Wood was delighted to star in Deveronvale’s Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield victory against Banks o’ Dee after being uncertain about starting himself up front.
The Banffers boss bagged a brace in their 2-1 first round victory against the Shield holders at Spain Park.
Wood made his name as a striker, but has mainly played in a holding midfield role this term.
However, a return to leading the line proved to be an inspired move.
Wood said: “It was quite last minute, we debated it quite a bit. But we thought we might be under the cosh and that I might be able to hold the ball up for us.
“It proved to be a good decision so I guess the manager deserves credit for that.
“I didn’t play well on Saturday (3-1 loss to Keith) so I wasn’t sure, but I thought it might be a bit much for Ben Hermiston having three 90 minutes up front in a week.
“He can do the business on Saturday now and I’ll go back to the bench.”
Numerical disadvantage can’t stop Banffers
Wood also hailed Deveronvale’s spirit after seeing out the final 20 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of Jack Mitchell.
The Banffers last won the Shield in 2002-03 and will face Turriff United in the quarter-finals on November 20 at the Haughs.
Wood added: “The guys battled hard, yet again they left everything out on the pitch. We’re delighted to beat the holders and get into the next round.
“Our performances on the whole have been first class this season and this is another big result which shows we’re making progress.
“Wins like this give us confidence, but we can’t get carried away.”
Banks o’ Dee started well and Liam Duell cracked a shot from the edge of the box off the right post in the 10th minute.
Four minutes later Michael Philipson flicked Ramsay Davidson’s cross from the right against the crossbar.
However, Vale grew into the contest and took the lead on 35 minutes.
Mitchell cut the ball back from the right byline for Wood – who left Dee at the end of last season to become Deveronvale manager – to finish from 12 yards.
Five minutes later Wood struck again. Nathan Cooney was short with a pass back, Wood then beat goalkeeper Kyle Irvine in a sliding challenge before slotting into the empty net.
Wood was denied the chance to net his hat-trick and had to come off with a toe injury following the tackle with Irvine.
Vale stand firm
Dee pulled a goal back just shy of the hour mark. Rogan Read was booked for a trip on Mark Gilmour 25 yards out and Iain Vigurs’ free-kick which followed deflected off the Vale wall and looped over goalkeeper Ethan Hopkinson.
Mitchell was sent off in the 70th minute by referee Filippo Mazzoni, receiving a second caution following an accidental collision with Ally Stark.
But Vale withstood Dee’s pressure in the closing stages to knock the holders out.
Dee co-manager Josh Winton said: “We gave away two sloppy goals after having two good chances early on.
“Then it all got a bit sloppy when we tried to push on for an equaliser. It was very stop-start and we didn’t show much quality.
“I’d expect us to create more in the last 20 minutes, it’s disappointing our defence of the Shield is over.”
Dyce 0-1 Formartine United
Formartine United progressed to the next round of the Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Dyce.
The North Lodge Park men now await the winners of Inverurie Loco Works and Aberdeen who play their tie next week.
Luke Strachan had an early effort for Formartine saved by Morgan Cook.
The visitors continued to press but couldn’t find a way past the resolute Dyce defence.
On 29 minutes a Formartine corner was cleared to Marc Lawrence but his shot was deflected wide.
Two minutes later Julian Wade turned his marker and fired an effort which Cook beat away.
Formartine started the second half brightly and Aidan Combe came close three minutes in when his cross just dipped over Cook’s crossbar.
On 57 minutes Graeme Rodger was sent clean through on goal but he slid his shot past the post from 12 yards out.
Three minutes later Paul Campbell created a chance for himself but Cook saved again.
Dyce had their first effort on goal shortly after when Michael Taylor’s long range shot was tipped round the post by Ewen Macdonald.
Into the last quarter and Fergus Alberts set up Sam Garnham but he blazed over.
A minute later and Formartine had a great chance to take the lead when Robert Ward was flattened inside the box by Cook, but Jonathan Crawford skied the spot kick over the bar.
Dyce substitute Jack Walker forced MacDonald into a good save but the visitors took the lead on 72 minutes when Combe curled a screamer into the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area.
Buckie Thistle 1-0 Huntly
Buckie Thistle netted a late winner to set up an Aberdeenshire Shield quarter-final meeting with Hermes.
With seven minutes gone, a Brodie Allen pass deceived the opposition back three and played in Sam Robertson but Buckie goalkeeper Mark Ridgers dived low to turn the shot away.
Marcus Goodall had a great chance a minute later at the other end of but fired narrowly over.
Buckie were having the better of the first half chances and Andrew MacAskill did well to make space for himself outside the box before curling over.
A great save from Calum Brodie saw the Huntly keeper deny Jack MacIver, with Brodie turning the ball over the bar. From the resultant corner, an Innes McKay header failed to trouble Brodie.
With two minutes of the half remaining, James Connelly saw a shot blocked after a Ryan Sewell corner was not dealt with before Buckie went upfield on the counter only for MacAskill to put another effort over the bar.
Huntly came close six minutes into the second half with Allen finding the side-netting after getting onto a Connelly cross.
Midway through the half, McKay had a good chance from a MacAskill delivery but shot over.
Brodie produced a great save to deny MacIver in the 84th minute but, following a second successive corner, Darryl McHardy headed home his fourth of the season from a MacIver delivery to win the tie.
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