Keith 2 v Fraserburgh 2

MAROONS GIVE CHAMPIONS A FRIGHT

By jove this was fairly a winter warmer for the chilled fans at Kynoch Park with Keith and defending Champions Fraserburgh serving up a real four goal thriller. The Maroons fought tooth and nail all afternoon, trailed at half-time, levelled, then edged ahead,and had goalie Craig Reid pull off a terrific penalty save before ‘Broch grabbed a share of the points with a thunderbolt strike.

Kieran Mooney raced clear in the 15th minute only to clip the ball over the bar when he really ought to have netted. Within a minute he was made to rue that chance when Paul Young pounced to slam home a low drive at the other end.

Keith showed their mettle though and three minutes later a perfect Dem Yunus cross saw James Brownie’s header hit the cross bar. Then midway through the half, Yunus curled an 18 yarder just over the bar.

The second half saw Keith really take the game to the champions, and three minutes in Mooney showed a quick turn of pace to race through expertly and slot home his 7th goal of the season. Maroons fans were cheering wildly with 62 minutes on the clock, Yunus latching onto a Mooney pass to thump the ball home from 15 yards for his 3rd goal of the season, to put his side in front for the first time. Mooney then set off on another searing run but unluckily saw his shot whizz inches past the far post.

Consternation  in the home ranks with 72 minutes gone when ‘Broch were awarded a spot kick. However, Reid was equal to the task pulling off a terrific save to hold Sean Butcher’s resultant effort.

Was this finally going to be Keith’s day against their nemesis of recent years? Well, no as Scott Barbour gathered the ball in the 72nd minute, turned and crashed an unstoppable drive right into the top corner.

The Maroons did have a couple of late chances to sew up the points but Lady Luck didn’t smile on Brownie or Matty Tough as they tried vainly to convert.

Overall, a quite outstanding Keith display with Reid, Thomas, Mooney and Yunus particularly impressive.

KEITH – Reid, Coull, Yeats, Thomas, Hutcheon, Abdulkarim, Mooney (Ironside 85), Brownie, Yunus (Wilson 88), Killoh, Duncan (Tough 77). Subs unused – Robertson, Irvine.

Referee – Mr H Bruce

Saturday 3rd December 2022, KO 3pm

Report by Charlie Simpson