Keith 1 v Huntly 1

MAROONS IN DERBY DRAW

A deserved share of the spoils in the derby tussle with Huntly, eight places higher than them in the table, saw Keith end a hectic three games in seven days spell, unbeaten with two draws and a win under their belts. 

Having weathered the opening half hour when the visitors held the upper hand, the Maroons broke the deadlock with a fine Lewis Coull header only to see it cancelled out within five minutes with an unfortunate own goal.

Prior to kick off there was a minute’s silence in respect of ex-Maroons striker of the early 1970’s Jimmy Carrol and long standing Keith fan Raymond Russell, both of whom had sadly passed away earlier  in the week.

An interested spectator was Mitch Bavidge along with his wife Rhonda, on a visit from USA, the hot shot striker who won a league title and a League Cup in the early 1980’s also famously scored seven goals against Huntly in 1982.

Although the Strathbogie side held the upper hand in the opening spell, the best they could conjure up was a Callum Murray goal which was chalked off for offside in the 20th minute. As the homesters began to get into the game, a lone run through in the 36th minute by Matty Tough ended with the striker being thwarted by Huntly goalie Fraser Hobday.

Seven minutes into the second period, the visitors failed to clear a Connor Killoh corner and Coull pounced to nod home his second goal in  four games. However, the lead lasted a mere five minutes when young Ewan Murray was helpless as he ended up knocking a deep Michael Dangana cross  into his own net.

That ended the scoring, though Craig Reid denied Robbie Foster at one end, and Hobday pulled off a fine save to turn round a Gavin Elphinstone net bound shot , whilst with the game into stoppage time Brodie David Allen skied over the bar for Huntly.

KEITH – Reid, Addison, Murray, Yunus, Coull, Yeats, Killoh, Brownie, Tough (Hutcheon), Ironside (McKeown), Duncan (Elphinstone). Subs unused – Cumming, Wilson, Mooney, Smith.

Referee – Mr L Robertson

Saturday 8th April 2023, KO 3pm

Report by Charlie Simpson