Keith 2 v Banks O Dee 3

MAROONS LOSE OUT IN FIVE GOAL THRILLER

Keith brought the curtain down on their season, fighting tooth and nail against Highland League Cup Winners Banks o’ Dee, losing out by the odd goal in five. In a game that most certainly wasn’t stale end of season fare, the Maroons showed their recent fighting qualities admirably. They fell behind to a goal just before half-time, then in a sparkling four minute spell just after the break, equalised then got their noses in front with a terrific goal. Dee hit back with their own four minute salvo, then edged ahead, although the homesters rolled the sleeves up and battled to the very last gasp.

It has to be said that it was an impressive display of fitness from Keith, who ended up playing 7 gruelling encounters in 21 days, five of those games coming against teams considerably further up the league table, and matching their opponents on each occasion.

There were chances at both ends in the first half, with Keith more than holding their own against the visitors, but cruelly they fell behind two minutes from the break when Lachie MacLeod fired home from 15 yards.  However Craig Ewen’s men came out firing on all cylinders after the half time cuppa and levelled thanks to skipper James Brownie heading home his 5th goal of the season at the back post. The Maroons then found themselves in front with a marvellous goal, Liam Duncan cutting in from the left wing to crash an absolute beauty into the top far corner of the net, for his own 5th strike of the season.

However, Dee then had their own four minute spell starting in the 70th minute when Kane Winton sent a powerful header into the roof of the net, then MacLeod raced clear to slot past Craig Reid for what turned out to be the winner.

Mind you, there was almost a sting in the tail when, in the dying seconds, and with nothing to lose, the Maroons were awarded a corner and goalie Reid raced upfield and flung himself at the incoming ball, missing it by mere inches – now that would have been a story!

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

Referee – Mr L Brown

Saturday 22nd April 2023, KO 3pm

Report by Charlie Simpson