Keith 3 v Wick Academy 2

KEITH’S LATE, LATE SHOW TRIMS WICK!

Jings, Kynoch Park has seen some dramatic games down through the years, but wow, Saturday’s visit of Wick Academy certainly ranks high in the list that’s for sure. The game was likely to be finely poised in any case with 12th placed Keith, protecting a five game unbeaten league run, playing host to Academy in 15th spot, fresh from gubbing Deveronvale 6-1.

Kick off was delayed...by 47 minutes to be precise… as the Wick bus broke down enroute, and a replacement had to be called for. 

The Maroons had veteran custodian Darren “Mini” McConnachie in between the sticks, in place of suspended Craig Reid, and I’ll tell you what, the former Lossiemouth goalie may be the wrong side of 40, but he’s still got what it takes.

He had no chance though as The Scorries set to with gusto, their lack of warm up time mattering not a jot in the 60th League encounter between the sides stretching back to October 1994. They took the game to the Maroons and in a whirlwind 2 minute spell from 23-25 minutes they rattled the Keith onion bag twice through deadly Marc MacGregor. Jings, it was cold enough as it was, but this was  going to be an even longer and colder afternoon! Tatties ower the side we already thought, ah.. but bit by bit Keith began to get to grips and wee buzzbomb Nathan McKeown continued his recent rich vein of form by dispatching the ball past Lewis Gallacher from 16 yards for his 5th goal of the season in the 38th minute. Nathan – Ya wee beezer, yahoo!

Wick were then reduced to 10 men a minute from the break when Skipper Gordy MacNab almost sent wee Calsy Robertson into orbit with a rash challenge, earning an early bath for his pains.

The Maroons tried to make the extra man count in the second half, but with Wick defending stoutly, a Craig Gill 20 yarder flew inches past the post, then the goalie pulled off a terrific save to deny Jack Searle.

This was just going to be one of those days we all thought, then..with 78 minutes gone, there was a madcap melee inside the visitors’ penalty area which ended with Joe Anderson stabbing the ball past his own goalie. Wow – maybe..just maybe...the tide was turning.

Would there be a sting in the tail though? as five minutes later “Mini” had to dash from the field of play being substituted by young Aidan Smith, as the veteran was starting his work at 5.30pm. Well, young Aidan did nothing wrong during the few minutes he played.

Then, with 5 minutes remaining, a cross came pinging over from the left wing and jumping up at the back post was substitute Murray Addison to head the winner into the net. Muzz ya beauty! What a time to score his first ever goal as we all loupit aff oor seats roaring in unison! The comeback was complete.

That was that as they say – not a game for the faint hearted, as the Maroons stretched the unbeaten run to six games, but blimey what a nailbiter.

KEITH – McConnachie (Smith 83), Craib (Addison 66), Barron, Bird (Stephen 72), Spink, Gill, Searle, McKeown, Cooper, C Robertson (Ormsby 66), Lynch. Subs unused – Paterson, R Robertson, Ironside, To.

Referee – O Lawrence

Saturday 29th November 2025, KO 3.47pm
Report by Charlie Simpson