Banks O'Dee 5 v Keith 0
MAROONS BROKEN BY BANKS!
Now, I’m nae particularly superstitious but this was Friday 13th after all, so it maybe wasn’t too much of a surprise that Keith’s four game league winning streak came to a shuddering end at Spain Park, where high flying Banks o’ Dee sent them crashing to defeat with a nap hand, including a withering 3 goals in nine minutes spell that had the Maroons gasping.
As always, I was disappointed at my team being on the wrong end of a sharp, slick combine in the shape of Dee, but this was compensated for me by spending the evening in the company of Keith Legend Doug Gallacher and his good lady wife Elizabeth. They were our guests for the game, and I had a simply enthralling time listening to some of big Doug’s memories of his time as a Maroon between 1968-1974. Now, Doug played in an era when no quarter was given or asked, and to be honest I don’t think I ever saw a harder tackling full back play for Keith. My late pal and I used to swear that the ground actually shook when he went into the tackle.
Anyway, back to the game, and new ground was broken with the fact that for the first time ever in a Highland League match, the Officials were all female. Referee Abbie Hendry and her two Assistant Referees Olivia Crawford and Paulina Ruszniak were in control throughout the match and are to be commended for their display.
There was really nothing between the sides, until the 22nd minute when Liam Duell pinged over a cross from the right wing and the unmarked Max Alexander cleverly sent his neat back post header over Craig Reid’s head to nestle in the roof of the net. This was Craig’s 100th competitive appearance for Keith, but he was helpless as that signalled the start of a mini goal rush.
Eight minutes later a Michael Philipson free kick had the visiting rearguard dithering, and the ever lethal Andy Hunter turned quickly to slam a low 12 yarder into the bottom corner. My quill nib was melting at this point, for barely a minute later when a right wing cut back from Duell saw the alert Chris Antoniazzi pounce to easily slot home from 10 yards. Game over!!
Was this going to be a rout? Well, as half-time approached, ton-up kid Craig showed his credentials with a superb double save to deny Antoniazzi and Hunter.
Would Keith make more of a fist of it in the second half? Big Doug and I hoped so during our half-time cuppa “discussion”. Well, we got the answer within three minutes of the restart when yet again the Maroons rearguard failed to clear their lines following a corner, and Hunter punished them by ramming home the loose ball from 8 yards.
Dee went nap with 54 minutes on the clock, Philipson’s low 20 yarder cracked off the foot of one post, and flew into the net at the other side of the goals. To be fair, after that, Keith didn’t capitulate and strived manfully to earn some manner of consolation but didn’t really bother Dee goalie Daniel Hoban too much.
Post match Mr and Mrs Gallacher and myself brushed off our obvious disappointment to carry on earlier blethers and reminiscences with Dee co-manager Paul Lawson’s Dad, a certain Willie Lawson! I’ve been in Willie’s company many times over the years and the Caley, Peterhead and Huntly Legend is always great to talk with. THE HIGHLAND LEAGUE? - YE CANNA BEAT IT!!
KEITH – Reid, Lynch, Moroney, Barron, Spink, Cooper, Ormsby, J Wilson (Ironside 60), Alberts, Duncan (Craib 60), C Wilson. Subs unused – R Robertson, Killoh, Addison, Brownie, Macleod.
Referee – Abbie Hendry
Friday 13th December 2024, KO 8pm
Report by Charlie Simpson