Banks O’Dee 8 v Keith 0

BANKS O’DEE MAUL MAROONS 

Highland League newbees Banks O’Dee tore Keith to shreds in what was the Clubs’ first ever League meeting at Spain Park. Dee led the gasping Maroons a merry dance with a fierce eightsome reel, hitting the woodwork three times into the bargain. Although the Maroons looked out of sorts, make no mistake, this is a strong, experienced Dee outfit desperate to make their mark.

An uncharacteristic error by goalie Craig Reid set Dee on their way in the 16th minute, the normally reliable custodian letting a Rob Armstrong shot slip through his fingers into the net. A minute earlier, the scorer saw his shot crash off the bar.

Nine minutes later home skipper Kane Winton fired home a low, strong drive, and veteran marksman Neil Gauld easily stabbed home from close range with 28 minutes played to effectively kill the game off. Dee kept a vice like grip on the game, and six minutes later a thunderous 20 yarder from Magnus Watson cannoned back of the bar.

The second half was a procession for the home side, pouring forward at every opportunity. Two minutes after the turnaround, Mark Gilmour, who had just landed at the Airport that morning after a holiday, fired home the first of his hat-trick. Then, Watson, looking suspiciously offside, made it a nap hand firing into the far corner from out on the right side of the penalty area.

With the Maroons struggling to contain the rampant homesters, Gilmour blasted home a fierce 20 yarder in the 57th minute, and 12 minutes later they hit the woodwork again, a close range header from Lachie MacLeod. The substitute wasn’t to be denied, for a minute later he easily swept home at the far post.

With eight minutes remaining, the visitors’ net bulged again when Connor Grant upended Armstrong inside the penalty area, and Gilmour sent Reid the wrong way with the spot kick to wind  up the rout.

A thoroughly bad day at the office for the Maroons, who must have thought they had a tiger by the tail.

KEITH – Reid, Killoh, Grant, Hutcheon, Robertson, Abdulkarim(McKeown 54), Tough, Brownie, Nawrocki(Coull 54), Yunus, Ironside(Collin 70). Subs unused – Wilson, Irvine.

Referee – Mr G Beaton

Saturday 20th August 2022, KO 3pm

Report by Charlie Simpson