Wick Academy 0 v Keith 1
KEITH TRIM WICK!
Well, what can |I say? This was no game for the football purists, but hey! Who cares?? League wins for Keith have been a bit like hens teeth so far this season, so in deepest Caithness in one fell swoop, read on…. A dramatic end to a five game losing streak in the league – first win at Harmsworth Park since February 2011 – on loan 18 year Brody Alberts notching his first goal for the Maroons – and.. a rare third clean sheet of the season to cap it all.
This was the 58th League tussle between the teams stretching back to October 1994 – frightening isn’t it to think that’s 30 years ago. Keith won 3-0 at Harmsworth, and I remember it like it was yesterday – a deadly double from master marksman Kevin Will and a super goal from big pivot Jamie Collie. Those of us of a certain vintage remember “Jamie Collie’s Barmy Army”!
Anyway back to current affairs, and although this wasn’t one for the memoirs, it was a most worthy, welcome three points to hoist the Maroons a couple of places up the league table.
Mind you there wasn’t too much to write about in that first half – most of us were still discussing the merits of the tasty Steak Pie, Chips and Veg at The Meikleferry Station for an early lunch. The nearest anybody came to finding the back of the old onion bag was probably James Brownie’s looping header, which seemed to clip the top of the crossbar a minute from half-time.
The Maroons seemed to be more direct playing up the famous Harmsworth slope in the second half, and Mikey Ironside saw his curling shot fly inches wide before Jordan Cooper’s 20 yarder was well held by home goalie Graeme Williamson. Then, twice in a minute around the hour mark Joey Wilson’s well struck 20 yard free kick hit the bar and rebounded away, with Craig Reid pulling off a fine one handed save to thwart Gordy McNab at the other end.
It was beginning to look like a stalemate until the 87th minute when Brownie whipped in a cross from the left wing and Alberts stretched to flick a header into the net from eight yards – Ya Beauty Brody! I was up aff my seat in the compact Stand like a bullet – even after all these years there is nothing better than seeing a Keith player score a goal!
There was still a nailbiting finale to go through, with the agony of four minutes stoppage time, but despite Academy forcing several corners, Craig’s Commandos defended stoutly to ensure a super journey back down the road with a 30th League win over Wick under the belts.
KEITH - Reid, Addison (Craib 71), Lynch, Barron, Spink, Cooper, Ormsby, Brownie, Wilson (Tough 69), Park (Alberts 76), Ironside (Duncan 69). Subs unused – Killoh, Smith.
Referee – Mr F Mazzoni
Saturday 19th October 2024, KO 8pm
Report by Charlie Simpson