Keith 3 v Buckie Thistle 1

MAROONS STING JAGS!

Politicians can change boundaries to suit themselves, and as many times as they like, but to my  mind a Keith v Buckie Thistle clash will always be a Banffshire Derby. 

This one, the 186th League encounter between the Maroons and the Jags was one of the most riveting I’ve clapped my peepers on for quite a spell. I know I’m probably biased, but this game provided the punters with full VFM(Value for Money) – four goals, a red card, a sparkling Keith display in the first half, followed by a dogged Buckie keeping plugging away in the second forty five.

Anyway, once the dust had settled, Keith had made it three successive league wins – a 75th league win over their coast rivals – took their points tally to a landmark 3,500 since coming into the Highland League a century ago – and ended an eight year drought by getting the better of the Green and Whites in a league encounter at Kynoch Park. It was perhaps fitting that Saturday’s opponents were Buckie as the first ever Highland League match played at Kynoch Park saw Jags win 5-1 on 23rd August 1924.

The Maroons had Aberdeen loanee Cameron Wilson in their starting line up, he celebrated his 18th birthday the previous day, and boy, he proved to be a hot handful all afternoon. Along with fellow loanees Brody Alberts, also 18 years old, and 20 year old “veteran” Ryan Park, the trio had the visiting rearguard tearing their hair out.

A minute after young Brody was denied by Mark Ridgers in the 8th minute, the teenager punished defensive dithering to hammer his side in front from 15 yards. Yahoo! What a feeling of instant elation seeing the ball bulge the old onion bag!!

Keith were certainly looking mean, keen and well up for it, producing some fast flowing football.  Buckie’s cause received a hammer blow with 28 minutes on the clock when a “rumbustious” challenge by Joe McCabe on Grant Moroney earned the Jags man an instant early opportunity to test the bath water, when referee Lewis Brown flashed him a red card.

There was still only the one goal separating the sides though, but six minutes from the half-time cuppa Ryan Park sparked great glee amongst his team-mates and the Maroons faithful watching on, when he gleefully crashed the ball past Ridgers from 12 yards. Ya Beauty Parky! They all howled in mad celebration.

Ah.. but then we had to have the half-time break, and would the Maroons have a tiger by the tail after the break? After all, the Jags are still the reigning Highland League Champions, and they’re not just going to roll over. Well, blimey, three minutes into the second half and everybody of a Maroon persuasion had to rub their eyes in disbelief as Master Brody Alberts sent a flashing angled drive whizzing past the helpless Ridgers. Keith up 3-0 against Buckie! Yep – you’d better believe it.

Aye, but Buckie’s credentials as Champions kicked in and they began to push forward only to find Craig Reid in athletic form, pulling off a handful of terrific saves. Knowing Craigie boy, he’d been looking to keep a clean sheet, which was on the cards until Scott Barron got his name on the scoresheet with an unfortunate own goal.

All in all a most satisfying display and outcome for Keith with every single player playing their part, the starting eleven and the substitutes. Special mention though must go to the young lad whose loan deal only went through the night before – Cameron Wilson – his bewitching footwork, searching passes and direct play were a joy to behold - Remember the Name!!

 

KEITH – Reid, Lynch, Moroney, Barron, Spink, Cooper (J Wilson 88), Ormsby, Brownie, Alberts (Duncan 75), Park (Ironside 84), C Wilson (McKeown 84). Subs unused – Craib, R Robertson, Killoh.

Referee – Mr L Brown

Saturday 16th November 2024, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson

Julie Brown