Keith 1 v Strathspey Thistle 4
STRATHY JAGS STING MAROONS!
The absence of 11 players – an entire team! - took it’s toll as Keith ended up well beaten in what was their final home game of the season. Take nothing away from Strathspey Thistle, they deserved their first win over the Maroons in almost seven years. This was a makeshift Keith line-up, with three of the Under 20 squad coming on as substitutes with the minutes ticking away.
The Maroons had won 26 of the 29 league encounters between the two sides and made the sprightliest of starts with less than three minutes on the clock. Nathan McKeown won the ball with a good tackle, and showed nifty footwork, beating a couple of defenders before planting a low 15 yarder into the bottom corner of the ingin bag for his 6th goal season. Nifty Nathan indeed as we loupit aff our seats!
Although Craig’s Commandos were producing some good football there was growing concern in the Maroon ranks that the lead wasn’t being increased. There was then a couple of warning signs that Strathy were still well in the game, and luckily two defensive lapses weren’t punished.
Then came the leveller the Thistle fans were praying for, and appropriately it came from the Club Chaplain Daniel Whitehorn! Ten minutes from the half-time cuppa the home rearguard dauchled a mite too much and the visiting No:4 nipped in between a couple of defenders, ending up firing a 16 yarder into the roof of the net.
Strathy noses were in front three minutes after the break when the home defence failed to clear a corner properly and Cameron Lisle looped the ball over Connor Macleod’s head from 16 yards. Those of us of a certain vintage will remember Cameron’s Dad, Martin as being a midfield powerhouse in the super Caley side of the mid 1970’s/early 1980’s!
Although Jags’ heads were up, Keith almost levelled in the 57th minute when skipper Jordan Cooper’s well struck 20 yarder cracked back off the post, with Euan Storrier eventually getting hold of the loose ball. Ach, Lady Luck wasn’t smiling in our direction, we thought!
The Men from Grantown were beginning to power forward after that and it was done and dusted with 11 minutes remaining, when Mikey Ironside sent Dylan Lawrence tumbling inside the penalty area, Paul Brindle sending young Macleod one way and the ball the other way with the resultant spot kick.
With a couple of minutes left, Strathy were to the fore when more defensive dithering was punished by that man Whitehorn again, sending a looping header off a corner into the roof the net.
Sadly, well beaten in the end, but it was good to see 17 year old Ade Adeniyi get his first taste of first team action along with 20 year old Connor Stuart and 18 year old Finlay Murray who have both figured in recent outings.
KEITH – Macleod, Ironside (Stuart 84), Lynch, Barron, Craib, Killoh (Milne 64), Laird (Adeniyi 73), McKeown, Alberts, Ormsby (Murray 84), Cooper. Sub unused – C Gray.
Referee – Mr J Kennedy
Wednesday 9th April 2025, KO 8pm
Report by Charlie Simpson