Keith 4 v Forres Mechanics 1

KEITH'S WINNING START TO DECADE

Keith made it a winning start to the new decade, with a comprehensive victory over visitors Forres Mechanics, their first success against the Can Cans for three years. The three points also hoisted the Maroons up into eighth spot in the league.

Keith manager Dean Donaldson was delighted with his side's display "To a man we worked hard, earlier in the season at Forres we didn't lay a glove on them. We played some good football, and the boys worked at everything I wanted them to. The fitness, hunger and desire showed as Forres are a good side. The first half performance was as good I have seen since I came back as manager. James Brownie, Michael Selfridge and Marc Young in the middle were immense. Although the 4th goal killed the game we were under the cosh for a while, but we managed it well".

First footing Forres were on the back foot when they lost two quick fire goals to a slick moving home side.  The opener came in the 16th minute when James Brownie pounced to slam home his 4th goal of the season. Three minutes later Craig Macaskill made no mistake from 12 yards for his 6th strike of the season. Martin Groat then popped up on the goal-line to deny a net bound Cammy Keith shot as the Maroons took a firm grip.

Forres were then hit with a hammer blow on the stroke of half-time when Keith captain and goal machine Cammy Keith rifled home his 18th goal of the season, to give home fans a happy tea break.

Keith came out with more of the same at the start of the second half, and within five minutes Michael Selfridge made no mistake whipping the ball into the bottom corner for his 5th goal of the season. That seemed to sting the visitors into action, and they began to put the Maroons on the back foot. They grabbed a small crumb of comfort with 70 minutes on the clock, James Ross slotting home from the penalty spot.

Forres manager Charlie Rowley was disappointed "The first 10-15 minutes we were good, but from then until the first five minutes of the second half we were defensively poor. It was hugely disappointing, and I can't put the finger on our recent poor performances. It was a difficult afternoon for us".

Saturday 18th January 2020, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson