Keith 1 v Fraserburgh 4
MAROONS VALIANT ATTEMPT IN VAIN
A much changed Keith side gave of their best on Sunday against Fraserburgh, scoring an early goal, but ending up losing out in last season’s Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup semi-final which had been carried forward.
No fewer than seven players made their competitive debuts, and each of them gave worthy signs that they are going to be valuable additions to the squad. The Maroons’ youthful line-up contained seven players aged 22 years and under.
Wearing the No: 9 shirt in place of the now retired all-time top scorer Cammy Keith, recent signing, Polish striker Przemyslaw Nawrocki nabbed the opener on his debut. Three new boys combined after only seven minutes, Luke Emmett setting Michael Ironside on his way down the left wing, and he cut the ball across for the lurking centre forward to pounce to slam home from 10 yards.
‘Broch are surely going to be one of the main challengers for the league title this season, and they came back at the Maroons, forcing new goalie Craig Reid into making several fine saves. He denied Paul Young twice in the space of six minutes.
The Maroons continued to hold their own, playing some neat passing football, giving the visitors plenty food for thought.
However, it was all square with 32 minutes on the clock when the ever dangerous Scott Barbour made no mistake, clinically clipping the ball past Reid from 8 yards.
‘Broch seemed to step up a gear after the break, but Reid kept them at bay with a string of fine stops. He dived to hold Ryan Cowie’s net bound effort three minutes into the half, but was helpless a minute later when ex-Maroons hot shot Gary Harris rifled into the roof of the net from 20 yards.
Five minutes later Reid produced a super one handed save to keep out Barbour’s powerful header, then excelled just over the hour mark, diving to hold ex-Keith loanee Logan Watt’s well struck free kick.
His charge was breached again though with 70 minutes played, following a corner Kieran Simpson’s powerful downward header flew into the roof of the net, despite the goalie’s desperate attempt to keep it out.
Home legs were beginning to look a wee bit heavy as ‘Broch turned the screw, but Reid pulled off another super one handed diving save to thwart Barbour, and was at full stretch to palm away a Ryan Cowie net bound drive. He was left stranded though with four minutes remaining Paul Campbell nipping in to slot home from six yards.
The Young Maroons combine may have been beaten, but they certainly weren’t unbowed, and earned great credit for sticking manfully to the task, even with tired legs. They played a lot of good, quick passing football, and the experience will have done them no harm.
KEITH – Reid, Thomas (McCredie 89), Emmett, Grant, R Robertson, Yunus (Hutcheon 73), Duncan, Andrews, Nawrocki, Selfridge, Ironside (Yeats 89). Sub unused – Stewart.
Referee – Mr J Kennedy.
Sunday 18th July 2021, KO 3pm
Report byCharlie Simpson