Brora Rangers 2 v Keith 3
UNLUCKY THIRTEEN FOR BRORA!
No folks, you don’t have to rub your eyes in disbelief, the above score-line is in the correct order. What’s more, it was a result that was certainly merited. It’s almost thirteen years since the Maroons last won at Dudgeon Park - 5th November 2011 to be precise - when a 5-3 win came courtesy of a four goal Cammy Keith barrage.
Keith’s recent injury woes continued with no fewer than eight first team squad members absent, and newly drafted in loanee Ryan Park was toast of the visiting support with a deadly double to pave the way to an exhilarating victory. The plucky Maroons twice came from behind, including the early loss of an 80 second goal, to produce a display of great resilience, fighting qualities and team spirit to unceremoniously hand the league leaders their first defeat of the season.
As well as the aforementioned “Parky”, the return of Ryan Spink was a sight for sore eyes following his recent transfer from Formartine, “Spinky” pulling on a Keith jersey for the first time in 3½ years.
Yet, 80 seconds after the referee blew his peeper to signal the start of the game, the Maroons were trailing – was this going to be a Brora goal barrage yet again? Let’s face it, they’ve been scoring goals for fun so far this season. Facing a stiff breeze, Keith conceded a corner which flew into the six yard box, and amidst a melee of bodies Michael Finnis managed to scramble the ball over the line. Jeezo! Worse would have followed but Craig Reid, not for the first time, showed his worth pulling off fine saves to deny Andrew McRae, James Wallace, Tony Dingwall and Max Ewan.
Keith were doggedly sticking to their guns and with 41 minutes on the clock it was all square. A quick fire move saw Park swing in a right wing cross, and Nathan McKeown scooped the ball into Mikey Ironside’s path who made no mistake slotting home a low drive from 8 yards 1-1!
We were jubilantly cheering in the Stand, only for our gas to be put at a low peep barely a minute later. Ewan took a step forward before curling a beauty from 20 yards into the top corner, giving Reid no chance – Ach!!
Keith were still well in the game though and there was still a feeling with the wind at our backs in the second half we might just make a game of it. Well, within two minutes of the second half getting underway it was indeed level pegging – 20 year old Park racing clear from the half-way line to clinically slam a low drive past Cameron Mackay.
Seven minutes later the unthinkable happened when Park drilled another low drive into the net, leaving the goalie helpless, putting Keith in the lead for the first time. Ya Beauty! We were up aff our seats in the Stand giving it laldy.
The remainder of the afternoon was going to be a tense affair, yet with 70 minutes played Park was a hairsbreadth away from a hat-trick, the goalie defying him. With the minutes ticking away the will to win was so obvious, as every man jack fought tooth and nail, tackling, covering each other, running their hearts out. When the referee blew his peeper to signal time up, the elation in the Keith camp was a joy to behold. Keith victories in recent times have been as rare as hens teeth so this was one to savour – YA BEEZER!
KEITH – Reid, Callum Robertson, Spink, Barron, Craib, Cooper, Ormsby (Wilson 82), Brownie, McKeown (Milne 88), Park (Tough 76), Ironside (Duncan 76). Subs unused – Killoh, Smith, Gill, Macleod.
Referee – Mr O Lawrence
Saturday 24th August 2024, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson