Keith 1 v Camelon Juniors 1 (a.e.t. Keith won 4-3 on pens)

GOALIE CRAIG SAVES..AND FIRES… KEITH INTO NEXT ROUND

What a ripsnorter of a Scottish Cup tie and no mistake! This tussle had absolutely everything that a neutral footie fan craves – thrills, spills, missed chances, last gasp goals, red cards, penalty shoot-out and goalie heroics. Once the dust had settled as it were, the Mighty Maroons advanced into the next round of the national tournament. Every single Keith player was a hero, but Craig Reid? Well what can you say? Several fine saves in open play, then in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Kynoch Park, he brilliantly saved two penalties, and boldly stepped up to blast the final spot kick into the Camelon onion bag to spark scenes of Maroon delirium.

This was Keith’s 70th Scottish Cup game stretching over a period of 98 years, and Camelon were our 45th different opponent in the Competition. The Maroons had lost their previous four league games but set their stall out right away. With 28 seconds gone, visiting goalie Dean Shaw pulled off a fine save denying Liam Duncan after Jordan Cooper had teed perfectly up for him. If truth be known, Liam really should have netted.

Anyway, the upper hand was held and Horace Ormsby forced another save out of the ‘keeper a minute later. Then, midway through the half, the custodian excelled with a one handed save to keep out Ryan Park’s drive. It wasn’t quite one way traffic though, and Reid brilliantly blocked a net bound Marc McKenzie effort in the 41st minute.

Goal-less at the break, would the Maroons rue the fact they hadn’t gotten their noses in front? Well, six minutes into the second half, a lung bursting Jordan Lynch run, returning from an eight game absence through injury, ended with the ‘keeper rushing out to block him. Lynchie though, managed to clip the ball into the path of Duncan, who contrived to fire over the empty goal area.

Jeezo! We began to think we’d be made to pay – and sure enough, barely two minutes later we lost the ball in midfield and Graham Taylor raced through to slam a low shot past Reid from 12 yards. The Maroons got a glimmer in the 59th minute when Alexander Walker saw red for a rash challenge on Liam Duncan. Mind you the homesters seemed to lose their way a bit as Camelon’s gas was still at a high peep, and it took a timely intervention from Reid to deny Taylor a second goal with 76 minutes played.

It really looked like tatties ower ther side in the 80th minute when Matty Tough, on as a substitute barely a minute earlier, scooped over from 10 yards. Then, worse was to follow, and we were a thoroughly dejected lot in the Stand when Jamie Milne received a red card in the 86th minute. “Mumble, mumble, mutter, mutter” or words to that effect came from our lips.

Anyway, ye of little faith! Just over a minute into stoppage time, a quick 1-2 saw wee Nathan McKeown pounce to slam the ball home from 6 yards for his 3rd goal of the season. Ya Beezer, extra-time here we come!!

To be honest, Keith dictated most of the 30 minute period and Matty Tough was twice denied by the goalie.

So, to the lottery that is a penalty shoot-out – and Keith won the Star Prize! This is where huge credit goes to 18 year old Brody Alberts who had the guts to nominate himself for the first spot-kick, and he simply bulleted home his shot.  Whilst Kirkpatrick, Miller and McQuaid all sent Reid the wrong way for their kicks, Connor Killoh made a marvellous effort with his award, before Tough saw his well struck effort saved.  Ryan Park made no mistake with his shot…. then enter stage right, one Craig Reid who magnificently denied Mackay and Narty. Ah, but Craigie boy wasn’t finished, and he coolly grabbed the ball, placed it on the spot and ever so nonchalantly blasted the ball beyond his helpless counterpart. Ya Beauty Craigie Boy! That sparked an instant “Charge of the Maroon Brigade” from the half-way line to congratulate him, and those of us of a Keith persuasion in the Stand, well, we were going bananas!

What an incredible end to a remarkable afternoon, a truly magnificent ending for Craig’s Commandos!!

KEITH – Reid, Callum Robertson (Wilson 79) (Killoh 119), Lynch, Milne, Spink, Cooper (Tough 79), Ormsby, Brownie, Duncan (Alberts 62), Park, Ironside (McKeown 62). Subs unused – Barron, Craib, Macleod.

Referee – Mr B Falconer

Saturday 28th September 2024, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson