Keith 0 v Huntly 1

HUNTLY EDGE POOR DERBY TUSSLE

The 180th league tussle between Keith and Huntly proved to be one of the most uneventful in recent times, with David Booth nabbing the only goal in a game that was devoid of any clear cut chances. It also heralded the Strathbogie men's first away league win of the season.

League positions for derby matches normally mean very little but given the Maroons recent fine form the fans perhaps expected a better performance. Sadly the homesters proved to be of little threat to the visiting rearguard in a below par display.

Neither goalie was called into serious action in the first half, a Max Berton shot whizzing past the post, and the Strathbogie custodian John Graham Farquhar diving to hold a Ryan Robertson header.

What turned out to be the deciding goal in a dour struggle came in the 73rd when Booth pounced on a header from ex-Maroon Bradley Manson, to race in and rifle an angled shot into the far corner of the net.

Not a dirty game by any means six yellow cards were shown to Spink, Brownie and Young of Keith and MacDonald, Still and Meres of Huntly. The defeat leaves the Maroons manager Dean Donaldson without a win against Huntly since he took over the reins two years ago, stretching the sequence to four losses and a draw.

KEITH - Simpson, Young, Thomson, Spink, Robertson, Brownie, Grant (Smith 78), Selfridge, Keith, Berton (Olumofe 78), Macdonald.  Subs unused - Gray, Yeats, Scott, Bolton, Dey.

Referee - Mr G Soutar

Saturday 25th January 2020, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson