Deveronvale 3 v Keith 2
‘VALE OF TEARS FOR KEITH
Two quick fire goals in the space of a couple of first half minutes had Keith Legend Andy Shearer’s appearance after an almost 13 year absence, turning into a Friday night floodlight fairy tale for the big fellow. One of the Maroons’ greatest ever goalies was making his 350th Keith appearance with 8 Winners Medals in his locker, and at the tender age of 41 years 160 days he was the most “mature” player in 60 years to turn out for the Club.
Then, horrifically, for the second time in three days, the Maroons lost a two goal lead, but unlike against Nairn, it was ‘Vale who grabbed the winner to turn big Andy’s return from a fairy tale into a nightmare.
The 158th league meeting between the sides stretching back to November 1938 began so well for Craig’s Commandos. They opened the scoring against a side that had lost their previous eight games in the 19th minute, when a free kick saw defender Ronan Craib send a looping header over the head of ‘Vale goalie Sean McIntosh and into the top right hand corner of the net – up aff my seat as usual, get in Ronan!
Less than two minutes later, Tuesday night’s deadly double was replicated when Horace Ormsby capitalised on a slack McIntosh clearance, strode in and ever so cleverly lobbed the ball over the custodian’s head from 15 yards. A top notch finish from “H”, and me aff my seat once more!
Ah, but ‘Vale kept the head and out of the blue, just over five minutes later ex-Maroon Dem Yunus crashed a blistering 25 yarder high into the roof of the net. Now, I love him to bits, great character, but really Dem, how could you?!
This gave the Banffers the impetus to push on, and Shearer showed his class by thwarting Jack Mitchell eight minutes from the break. I’ll tell you what, its maybe coming to the end of the season, but this was no dour, stale tussle. Four minutes after the half-time cuppa it was all square when another belter, this time from Jayden Goldie, took a slight deflection and flew into the roof of the ingin bag.
The homesters had the bit between their teeth, and with 58 minutes gone a curling Jack Mitchell 20 yarder cracked off the top of the bar – Phew! It was turning into a really testy affair, flying from end to end, and with 70 minutes on the clock ‘Vale’s comeback, and Keith’s worst nightmare, was complete when an Adam Reid cross into the 6 yard box seemed to be kept out by Shearer, but the eager Mitchell reacted quickest to jubilantly head home what turned out to be a most unlikely winner.
The game’s finale turned ever so tousy, with several bookings and ‘Vale player/manager Garry Wood receiving a red card for comments made from the dugout at the last gasp.
A real sickener for us Maroons and for me, well – I was born in Banff, went to Banff Academy and had good banter with a couple of my old classmates pre match. I put a brave face on afterwards I must admit!
KEITH – Shearer, Lynch (Laird 80), Craib, Barron, R Robertson (Killoh 65), Cooper, C Wilson, McKeown, Alberts, Ormsby (Stewart 67), Ironside (J Wilson 71). Subs unused – Milne, Macleod.
Referee – S Donohoe
Saturday 29th March 2025, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson