Keith 1 v Inverurie Loco Works 3

MAROONS BATTLE AGAINST ELEMENTS AND LOCOS

Keith gave as good as they got in their home tussle with second placed Inverurie Locos in a match that was played in very strong, swirling wind conditions. the Maroons haven't beaten Locos for four years, but boy, they gave it a good go, perhaps living to regret scorned chances during a ten minute spell at the start of the second half.

The fierce, blustery wind kept both sides on their toes, with the homesters playing the first half with the gale at their backs. The only goal of  the first period saw Michael Selfridge react quickest following an inswinging corner four minutes from the break to slam home his 7th goal of the campaign from six yards.

With the fierce wind in their faces after the turnaround, instead of being under the cosh, Dean Donaldson's men adapted well, and carved out chances for Cammy Keith, Scott Gray and Selfridge, but the lead wasn't extended.

Ten minutes in and David Dey kept the lead intact when he brilliantly parried Andy Hunter's curling wind assisted edge of the box free kick. However, it was all square with 63 minutes on the clock, Ryan Stott pouncing to clip the ball past Dey from 12 yards.

Fifteen minutes later Dey earned his corn, superbly blocking Stott at his right hand post. He was helpless though a couple of minutes on when a vicious inswinging corner saw Hunter somehow scramble the ball over the line.

The Locos sealed what was a hard fought win in the dying seconds when the North's top scorer Chris Angus headed home from eight yards. A harsh lesson perhaps for the home combine, the need to convert chances when in the ascendancy.

KEITH - Dey, Grant, McAllister, Spink, Robertson (Smith 32), Thomson, Macdonald, Brownie, Keith, Gray (Olumofe 65), Selfridge (Macaskill 76).  Subs unused - Scott, Yeats, Berton, Simpson.

Referee - Mr P McAvinue

Saturday 22nd February 2020, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson