Keith 1 v Formartine Utd 3

FIRST FOOT FORMARTINE WIN AT FIELD OF DREAMS

Okay, so Craig’s Commandos lost, but boy it was great to get back into the swing of things again. Mighty strange to say that Formartine came first footing….on 18 January, but the Abominable Snowman had put the kybosh on any fittie since 28 December 2024, meaning this was only Keith’s 3rd game in 7 weeks, and their first home game since 30th November.

The Maroons were on the back foot as it were  beforehand with a string of absentees – Craig Gill and Jake Stewart are long term injurees, with Callum Robertson still unable to return, and co-skipper James Brownie, Ryan Spink and Joey Wilson have also been on the treatment table. Allied to this was the enforced omission of Brody Alberts and Grant Moroney, as loanees from their Club. Gaffer Craig Ewen brought in Charlie and Harry Gray from the Under 18’s and Connor Stuart from the Under 20’s, with Harry and Connor getting some minutes in the latter stages.

Prior to Kick Off and under the dazzling winter sun, we had a minute’s applause in respect of the unique Denis Law – The Lawman – who sadly passed away on Friday at the age of 84. The Aberdonian is surely Scotland’s greatest ever footballer, playing in an era that gleaned so many magical players.

Onto the game, the 30th League encounter between the sides, stretching back to 10th October 2009 at North Lodge Park when the 1-1 outcome is still the only tussle between them to end in a stalemate. You could have forgiven both sets of players if they were going to be ring rusty, but proceedings showed no sign of that ailment.

The Men fae Pitmedden edged ahead after only 9 minutes when the home defence failed to clear a long throw in, and Tyler Mykyta had the simple task of rifling home from 12 yards. A minute later, the same player rattled the foot of Craig Reid’s left hand post with a low, curling 20 yard free kick – Ooyah, that was a let off! Then with 32 minutes on the clock, that boy Mykyta was to the fore again, pulling a fine diving save out of Reid with a net bound 20 yarder.

Three minutes later, those of us of a Maroon persuasion were up aff oor seats! A free kick out on the far left of the Formartine 18 yard box saw Jordan Lynch score his first Keith goal with a super effort that evaded a poorly constructed defensive wall, and flew into the far corner of the net. Ya Beauty Lynchie – get in there!!

Ach, it was only even stevens for 6 minutes as Robert Ward punished defensive slackness at the other end to slam home from 10 yards. The Maroons came more into it in the second half and a surging Nathan McKeown run almost bore fruit, only for the visitors to be awarded a softish penalty in the 76th minute. Julian Wade gave Reid no chance, sending him one way, and the ball the other way, right into the bottom corner. That really was that, as they say. It was encouraging though to see Connor Stuart get the last 10 -12 minutes, and young Harry Gray, a cameo appearance for the final four minutes.

KEITH – Reid, Addison (Ironside 59), Lynch, Milne (Stuart 82), R Robertson, Barron, Ormsby, McKeown, Cooper (Killoh 82), Duncan (H Gray 90), C Wilson. Subs unused – C Gray, Craib.

Referee – Mr L Brown

Report by Charlie Simpson
Saturday 18th January 2025, KO 3pm