Keith 1 v Darvel 2

UNLUCKY MAROONS EXIT CUP

Keith couldn’t quite force at least a replay against a strong West of Scotland Premier League outfit Darvel in what was the junior side’s first ever senior Scottish Cup tie, the Maroons making it 67 games in the same competition. 

Despite falling two goals behind in the opening thirteen minutes, a battling second half display saw them peg a goal back from the penalty spot. Had Lady Luck smiled a bit better, they would have been awarded  what most folk thought was a second stonewall penalty, and would have seen the culprit receive a second yellow card. 

The Maroons were threadbare yet again, with six players missing through either injury or unavailability. They were on the backfoot within seven minutes when Craig Reid brilliantly parried Darren Miller’s spot kick, but with the home rearguard caught napping, Miller pounced to rifle home the loose ball.

Six minutes later another superb Reid stop went unrewarded, his defence in dreamland once again, and Allan McKenzie reacted to slam the loose ball into the net.

The cause was hit further with 20 minutes gone, young loanee Connor Grant being forced to limp off with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Reid kept his team in the hunt with a string of fine saves. 

The Maroons set their stall out in the second half, and within seven minutes pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after striker “Shamack” Nawrocki was upended inside the area. The No:10 duly rattled home the award for his 6th goal of the season.

Then on the hour mark, the homesters thought they had been given the opportunity to draw level when ||Nawrocki was sent sprawling once again, but the match officials deemed there was no foul. 

It was end to action after that with Reid excelling with several more fine saves. If truth be known, nobody would have begrudged the Maroons a second bite at the cherry. 

KEITH – Reid, Thomas, Emmett, Grant (Yeats 20), R Robertson, Yunus, Ironside, Gray (McKeown 46), Stewart (McCredie 81), Nawrocki, Selfridge.  Sub Unused – Irvine.

Referee – Mr Ryan Lee

Saturday 18th September 2021, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson