WEST Garioch kept their unbeaten run going with a fine win over their Mearns counterparts in the league.

The wet and windy conditions on the coast made this the proverbial game of two halves with the visitors racing to a 4-0 lead at the break, playing some great football. It was a different story in the second half, though, with Stoney producing a fightback, although they did not quite have enough at the end of 90 minutes to affect the outcome.

Garioch striker Josh Boyle claimed another two goals with Ross Dingwall, Andi Bremner and Callum McRitchie adding to the tally.
Garioch's Lewis Helme, back between the sticks again, was the first keeper to be tested, getting down well to make a save on the greasy surface.

His team were in front just three minutes later when McRitchie and Boyle combined well to present Dingwall with a chance in front of goal which the goalkeeper could only parry but the livewire midfielder was well placed to get a second opportunity and made no mistake.

Stonehaven then went close with a header from a cross on the left which flashed past Helme's post and Dingwall had another effort from well out palmed away by the keeper for a corner.

There was a let-off for Garioch in 17 minutes when a player right in front of goal just failed to make contact with a great ball in.

Just as it looked as if the home side were getting back into the game the visitors struck again. A great through pass from Gordon Forsyth found Boyle and although the keeper got a hand to the ball he could not prevent the strike's well-hit attempt crossing the line.

The visitors could have been three up two minutes later when McRitchie set Sean Bremner up this time but rather than having an attempt at goal himself he unselfishly slipped the ball through to Boyle whose effort crashed off the post.

Helme then made a great block to deny Stonehaven's centre forward before Garioch did go 3-0 up in 30 minutes. A high ball into the box from Ally Beattie led to a mix up between the goalkeeper and his defenders and Boyle pounced on the loose ball and whipped it into the
net.

With ten minutes of the first half remaining the visitors amazingly found themselves four in front. Dingwall swung a high ball over from the left into the box which Andi Bremner met it first time and the ball flew into the net between the keeper and his left-hand post for the best goal of the match.

The great first half for the visitors ended with Helme turning an effort from Stonehaven's tricky left winger past the post and the Stonehaven keeper denying Bryce Davidson a place on the scoresheet.

With the wind and driving rain at their backs the home side began the fight to retrieve what looked like a lost cause with a counter after only seven minutes of the second half. The Garioch defence were left static after an attack down the right and a player got in on goal unchallenged to give Helme no chance.

A mazy run by McRitchie in 55 minutes ended with the diminutive left-sided midfielder shooting over the crossbar. In a rare foray up front Forsyth saw an effort flash across the Stonehaven goal and wide.

Stonehaven were surging forward at every opportunity now and Garioch were finding it a struggle with the driving rain proving troublesome. A superb run down the right by a Stonehaven player ended with Helme making a great stop and then he saved well with his legs three minutes later.

Garioch weathered the storm, though, and in 65 minutes the visitors got a vital fifth goal, against the run of play it has to be said. A great cross from Andi Bremner on the right found McRitchie, who had proved to be a thorn in Stonehaven's side all match, and his header found the net.

Stonehaven pulled another goal back three minutes later with a dubious penalty. Helme went up to gather the ball in his box and was clearly impeded by a Stonehaven player. The referee then ruled against the big goalie when he tried to win back the loose ball. The spot kick was duly converted.

With five minutes remaining Garioch's substitutes Bunja Godlad and Neal Fantom combined to give the latter a chance but he blazed over in front of goal.

Stonehaven were still driving forward and hit the post in an attack on the Garioch goal with three minutes remaining before they got their third right on full-time following a header from a free kick. The game ended with another Fantom effort being tipped over the crossbar by the keeper.

Garioch coach Sandy Bremner was pleased to have taken another three league points in such awful conditions. "We needed another strong performance from the team and they started well, battling hard and finishing with composure. The passing at times was very good with one-touch football which created some of the chances."

West Garioch: Helme, MacIntosh, McRobbie, Dingwall, Forsyth, Beattie, Davidson, A. Bremner (Godlad), Boyle (Greenhowe), S. Bremner (Fantom), McRitchie. Subs not used: Petrie, Roberts.
West Garioch have an away match again, the fourth in a row, on Saturday (October 11) when they travel to face Newmachar in the league.