Turriff United 3 v Keith 3

CAMMY HITS DOUBLE BUT MAROONS SHARE SPOILS

Keith captain, centre forward and goal machine Cammy Keith ended the decade as he started it, by netting for the Maroons.  However, instead of coming away with the three points, his side had to settle for a share of the spoils in a six goal thriller.

The Number 9, who  made it 29 goals for the calendar year, had converted his team's first goal at Lossiemouth in another draw on 23 January 2010.  This tussle at the Haughs had the Maroons storm into a two goal lead, be pegged back and then think that a late Cammy Keith goal had given them an away day festive win, only for an even later Turra leveller, ensure the match ended all square.

Gregor Macdonald was unlucky not to give his team the lead in the 18th minute, his drive cracking back off the bar with Fraser Hobday beaten.  The 'keeper then blocked another shot as the loose ball flew about in the penalty area.

The Maroons then struck with two goals inside a minute.  Cammy Keith cleverly steered the ball wide of the diving goale into the bottom corner.  Then a marvellous Craig Macaskill right wing cross saw Ross County loanee Macdonald rise like a salmon to direct his header into the top corner.

Far from knocking the Christmas Stuffing out of the young home side, they hit right back and only a fine Greg Simpson point blank save denied them.  The homesters poured forward after the break, forcing the visitors onto the back foot, and it was no surprise that it was game on with 69 minutes played, Angus Grant clipping the ball over Simpson from 10 yards.

With eleven minutes remaining it was all square when the Maroons failed to clear their lines and Robert Ward blasted home from the centre of the penalty area.  However, within two minutes a Macaskill shot was hoofed past by the goalie for a corner.  From the ensuing award, that man Keith gleefully rammed home his 17th goal of the season.

There was a sting in the tail though, and three minutes from the end, defensive dithering let Grant pounce to slam home amidst a ruck of players to wrap up the draw.

KEITH - Simpson, Scott, Smith (Young), Spink, Robertson, Thomson, Macaskill, Brownie, Keith, Berton (Selfridge), Macdonald (Yeats).  Subs unused - Bolton, Hutcheon, Gray, Dey.

Referee - Mr K Murray

Saturday 28th December 2019, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson