Rothes 4 v Keith 0

MAROONS SLUMP AT ROTHES

Keith were never really at the races at MacKessack Park as Rothes romped to their biggest home league win against the Maroons since January 1953, replicating the 4-0 scoreline, with Ali Sutherland grabbing a treble.

With the visitors being outplayed for most of the game, it all ended on a rather sour note at the final whistle with a melee between both sets of players that carried onto the entrance of the tunnel.

The Maroons had their two 18 year old Ross County loanees in their squad with Gregor Macdonald playing the whole match and Jack Grant appearing for the last half hour as a substitute.

The Speysiders, unbeaten under new manager Ross Jack, were in eager beaver mood right away, and Greg Simpson was forced to pull off a fine one handed save from Steven Anderson after only three minutes.

They certainly weren't afraid to fire goalwards, and it was no surprise when they edged ahead in the 23rd minute, the unmarked Ali Sutherland nabbing the first of his hat-trick from 12 yards.  Then, three minutes from the half-time cuppa, Anderson evaded the challenge of Ryan Robertson to coolly slam home into the bottom corner.  If truth be known, the Maroons by contrast hadn't a shot on target the entire first half.

A bright start to the second half though almost bore fruit but Rothes goalie Ewen Macdonald pulled off a terrific save to keep out Jay Cheyne's powerful header.  It was game well and truly over with 58 minutes on the clock when Sutherland wheeled on the edge of the box to rifle a low 16 yarder into the net.

Eight minutes later the Tangerines were in easy street when Jamie McAllister was adjudged to have upended Anderson inside the penalty area and Sutherland made no mistake from the resultant spot kick to nab his hat-trick.

Michael Selfridge had the chance of a small crumb of comfort with nine minutes remaining as he raced clear, but allowed Macdonald to block his slide rule effort.  

The home side looked slick and worthy of their win, but the Maroons struggled throughout to make their mark.

KEITH - Simpson, Young, Spink, McAllister, Robertson, Smith, Macdonald, Brownie (Grant 57), Keith( Gray 60),  Selfridge, Cheyne (Macaskill 70).  subs unused - Yeats, Bolton, Clark, Thomson.

Referee - Mr F Mazzoni

Saturday 5th October 2019, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson