Forres Mechanics 0 v Keith 0

MAROONS SHARE SPOILS WITH CAN CANS

The 179th Highland League meeting between Keith and Forres Mechanics maybe ended goal-less, but it was far from a drab affair, being end to end throughout. Perhaps lethal marksmanship was missing, but both goalies pulled off several fine saves to keep the ball out of the net.

Keith boss Craig Ewen was returning to the ground where he served as Assistant Manager for five years, and masterminded a fifth clean sheet in eight outings since his appointment at Kynoch Park. 

Goalie Craig Reid was on his toes when he brilliantly punched away a Paul Brindle netbound inswinger, then carefully shepherded a low Lee Fraser shot inches past his post. He denied Brindle again a minute before half-time.

Seven minutes into the second half, Brindle had the perfect chance to score, but got himself in a fankle inside the six yard box with only Reid to beat, and the opportunity was lost. With the Maroons beginning to impress going forward, top scorer “Shamack” Nawrocki hit the post from an acute angle, only minutes after setting up Luke Emmett who fired inches over the bar.

Then, Forres custodian Stuart Knight earned his corn with a super diving save to turn round Michael Ironside’s low drive. Five minutes from the end, the Can-Cans goalie brilliantly denied the inrushing Emmett, who looked sure to break the deadlock.

Overall, probably a draw was a fair result, and the encouraging factor from a Maroons point of view was the willingness of the players to chase everything, no cause was lost, and also battle for each other right to the final peep of the referee’s whistle. The single point gleaned moved them up a place to 11th in the table.

Keith – Reid, Thomas, Emmett, Yeats (Scaife 67), R Robertson, Yunus, Ironside, Andrews, Selfridge (Stewart 89), Nawrocki (Gray 73), Strachan.  Subs unused – McKeown, McRedie, J Robertson, Irvine.

Referee – Mr L Robertson

Saturday 2nd October, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson