Brora Rangers 3 v Keith 0

FIRST HALF SALVO DUMPS MAROONS

Make no mistake, Brora are one of the top two sides in the Highland League just now, but maybe last week at Dudgeon Park Keith treated them with too much respect, especially in the first half.

The match was done and dusted inside the opening half hour with three home goals.  It was a different story in the second half when the Maroons set about their hosts with far more gusto.  Sadly the defeat consigned Keith to a 14th successive league reverse against the Cattachs, last winning in March 2012 when current manager Dean Donaldson was one of the scorers in a 4-0 win.

Brora edged ahead after only seven minutes when the visiting rearguard failed to clear a corner, and Kyle Macleod headed his side in front. A Jamie  McAllister 20 yard free kick was well held by Joe Malin at the other end, before Greg Simpson denied Macleod again with a fine diving save.

The score-line was doubled in the 20th minute when Dale Gillespie curled an 18 yarder into the roof of the net, as the slick Sutherland side continued to dominate.  With 27 minutes played it was well and truly tatties ower the side for the Maroons.  Simpson pulled off three brilliant saves but it was to no avail as his defence to clear, and MacLeod pounced t slam home from 12 yards.

The Maroons showed more vim and vigour after the half-time cuppa but their only real effort on target came in the final minute when Craig Macaskill pulled a terrific diving save out of Malin from out on the left wing.

KEITH - Simpson, Hutcheon, Spink (Berton 60), Rae, McAllister, Robertson, Macaskill, Begg, Porteous (Keith 56), Smith, Brownie (Selfridge 72).  subs unused - Lennox, Young, Stewart.

Referee - Mr G Seago

Saturday 23rd February 2019, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson