Keith 0 v Huntly 4

MAROONS’ TIMID CUP EXIT 

Keith were never at the races in this local derby Aberdeenshire Cup tie in midweek, with neighbours Huntly winning at a canter.

The Strathbogie outfit looked sharper and more eager right from the off, as a result the Maroons fell at the first hurdle.

It took the visitors only six minutes to go in front, Gavin  Elphinstone clinically firing a low drive into the bottom corner. As Huntly held the upper hand Andy Hunter went close with a shot which flew past the far post.

The Maroons posed little threat in the firing line in the first half, as the visitors continued to make all the running. Matty Tough did have a glimmer two minutes after the turnaround but ended up being dispossessed. Then Przemyslaw Nawrocki was blocked by Fraser Hobday – and that was as good as it got in the 62nd minute. A minute later Huntly doubled the score when Hunter rifled a low drive into the bottom corner.

Nizam Abdulkarim hoofed a Greg Buchan netbound drive away three minutes later, but then with 72 minutes played a superb 20 yard free kick from Hunter flew into the top corner. A minute into stoppage time the visitors wound up an easy night’s work when a Buchan shot hit the foot of the post and went into the net at the other side of the goals.

Overall, a disappointing start to the season and a timid exit for the Maroons.

KEITH – Reid, Emmett (Hutcheon 75), Yeats, Abdulkarim, Robertson, Yunus, McKeown (Ironside 67) , Brownie, Nawrocki, Tough (Wilson 71), Andrews. Subs unused – Collin, Gray, Irvine.

Referee – Mr K Buchanan

Wednesday 27th July 2022, KO 8pm

Report by Charlie Simpson