Inverurie Loco Works 4 v Keith 1

GAULDY TREBLE DUMPS MAROONS AT HARLAW

This was the classic encounter where diabolical defensive dithering was severely punished by a master marksman.  The Keith defence did the dithering, and Inverurie's hot shot striker Neil Gauld made them pay heavily with a first half hat-trick.

The last six league encounters between the sides now see Locos win five and draw one, with this latest win replicating the scoreline at Kynoch Park back on 1 September. This was the 36th league tussle between the sides, Locos now having won 23 of them.

With captain and all time record scorer Cammy Keith absent due to impending fatherhood, Jamie McAllister made his return to spearhead the attack.

Although the Maroons, playing down the Harlaw slope, made a bright enough start, there was an inkling of Gauld's danger as early as the 4th minute, with Greg Simpson pushing his shot round the post for a corner.

Two goals in the space of two minutes from the 9th minute onwards, had the visitors gasping.  First, a failuire to clear saw Gauld pounce to slot home from the far side of the box. Then more indecision saw the wee striker slam the ball into the back of the net from almost the same spot.

However, the Maroons appeared to get a foothold back into the game with 21 minutes played, fine play from James Brownie setting up McAllister who rifled into the bottom corner of the net for his 4th goal of the season.

The visitors seemed to be growing into the game after that, but then with 37 minutes on the clock, they were found wanting again, and Gauld capitalised to hammer his 36th goal of the season into the roof of the net from 15 yards.

Playing up the slope after the half-time cuppa the Maroons were up against it, and just after the hour mark, the game was well and truly dead and buried when Chris Angus saw his edge of the box effort ricochet to wrong foot Simpson and land in the back of the net.  Five minutes later Simpson denied Gauld a fourth goal with a fine block.

KEITH -Simpson, Young (Hutcheon 62), Spink, Rae, Robertson, Begg, Macaskill, Brownie, McAllister, Smith (Berton 62), Selfridge (Barron 81).  Subs unused - Gray, Manson, Stewart.

Referee - Mr D McFarlane.

Saturday 19th January 2019, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson