Lads Club Amateurs 2 - Postal ALC 3 - Div 2 - Garioch Astro - Sat 12th April 2026

Postal travelled out to Garioch Sports Centre to face off against Lads Club in this Division 2 match.  The two sides met previously this season in the White Cup with Lads Club progressing through to the next round. Postal were extremely short of players with 9 call offs due to injury, work and suspension.

The team lined up as below:

1. Grant Cormack

2. Andrew Riddell

3. Bruce Webster

4. Euan Brechin

5. Craig Mackie

6. James Steele

7. Steven Abel

8. Alex Clark

9. Duncan MacKenzie (S)

10. Phil Wallace (S)

11. Harry McAuley

Bench: 

12. Andreas Jones (S)

13. Fraser Smith (S)

14. Shaun Walker

The game started at a high tempo, with Lads Club immediately on the front foot. Inside the 1st minute, they broke forward quickly, forcing an early effort from their number 8, but Cormack reacted sharply to produce an excellent save. The pressure continued into the 2nd minute, with a string of corners, though none troubled the defence.

A minute later, a misplaced pass from Steele gifted possession to Lads Club, allowing their number 8 another opportunity from distance, but once again Cormack was equal to it. The opposition continued to test from range, with another long effort in the 7th minute, comfortably handled by the keeper.

At the other end, the first real chance came in the 5th minute, when a ball over the top found McAuley, but he fired over the bar. Despite this, Lads Club made their pressure count in the 12th minute. A quickly taken free kick led to a dangerous move down the left, with a cross finding the striker. His shot was deflected into the path of number 10, who calmly slotted home to make it 1–0.

Lads Club had started extremely well forcing Postal onto the back foot.

The response to losing the opening goal was positive. In the 18th minute, Wallace played a great ball over the top to McAuley, who delivered a dangerous cross, but Mackenzie couldn’t grow tall enough. Just a minute later, the equaliser arrived. A slick passing move involving Steele, Wallace, and Clark released McAuley, who showed composure to slide the ball under the keeper, making it 1–1 much to the Lads Club bench disbelieve thinking the winger was offside.

The team grew into the game, creating further chances. Abel was lively, volleying over in the 23rd minute, before winning the ball off a defender a minute later and forcing a save from the keeper. At the back, Cormack continued his strong performance, making another excellent stop from a powerful strike by number 6 in the 30th minute.

There was a setback in the 33rd minute, as Riddell was booked for a trip, but the attacking play continued. In the 38th minute, Abel delivered a great cross to Mackenzie, whose flicked effort was brilliantly saved. A huge chance followed in the 42nd minute, when Riddell’s cross found Steele just four yards out, but his header went over the bar.

As halftime approached, more opportunities came and went. Wallace fired into the side netting in the 44th minute, and McAuley dragged a shot over in the 45th minute, leaving the score level at the break.

The second half began with more attacking intent. In the 51st minute, a well-worked move involving MAckie, Mackenzie, and Abel forced a save, with the rebound falling to Wallace, who unfortunately fired over an open goal. Mackenzie then turned and shot over in the 57th minute, before Wallace had a goal, incorrectly, ruled out for offside in the 59th minute after a clever pass from Abel. 

Lads Club regained the lead in the 60th minute, when their number 11 lifted a shot over Grant to make it 2–1. However, the response was immediate. Just two minutes later, Mackie fed McAuley, who slipped in Clark. He squared the ball to Wallace, who emphatically smashed home the equaliser for 2–2.  Great finish given the angle against a really good Lads Club goalkeeper.

Momentum swung firmly in their favour, and in the 69th minute, a great move down the right saw Wallace cross to Abel. His effort fell to McAuley, who reacted quickly, swivelling to score and put the team ahead 2–3.  Great finish from McAuley under pressure.

The closing stages saw further chances to extend the lead. Wallace nearly scored a spectacular goal in the 78th minute, only for the keeper to claw his shot out of the top corner. Two minutes later, McAuley was played through again, but the keeper produced another excellent save.

In the 89th minute, Riddell delivered one final dangerous cross, with Smith just unable to make contact, as the game edged towards its conclusion.

Great performance from Postal today.  Twice falling behind but gritted their teeth to get the 3 points.  Excellent football today creating multiple guilt edge chances.

FT 2 – 3

MoM – Harry McAuley

Goals – Harry x 2, Wallace

Booked – Riddell