Keith 2 v Nairn County 0

IT’S A TEENAGE SENSATION!

Blimey, it’s all “kicking off” at the Field of Dreams these days – if you’ll pardon the pun! The first time in 10 seasons that the Mighty Maroons have recorded six successive league wins – the first time in like whenever that we’ve been in the lofty position of 7th place at this time of the season – the first time since god’s know when, if indeed ever, that two 17 year olds nabbed the match winning goals – the first time that I can ever recall the first 100 pies at the Pie Shop being absolutely free of charge. Free pies? You’d better believe it – courtesy of the Club’s Main Sponsor Jim Reid Vehicle Sales & Service, Jim being a Keith “loon” born and bred.

The nature of Keith FC is that they don’t blow their own trumpet, but it’s difficult to stay under the radar when Craig’s Commandos are currently enjoying a run of 12 wins, three draws and one loss in their last 16 outings, so are in that spot in the table on merit.

Anyway, this was always set to be a tough tussle, with Nairn a place and a point ahead in the league table, and following a whirlwind Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday and now Saturday, some degree of fatigue was bound to tell. That, plus injuries to key defenders Ryan Spink, Jordan Lynch and Ryan Robertson, had outsiders nodding knowingly and thinking that the bubble was about to burst.

Well, with a buzz about the sun drenched Park that included an excitable Sponsors Lounge vacating to the Stand to create a super atmosphere, the Maroons were maybe not firing on all cylinders in the opening 20-25 minutes, but with County failing to carve out any dangerous opportunities, it remained goal-less at half-time.

Keith had a vim and vigour look about their play after the break, and those of us of a Maroon persuasion were up aff our seats in the 59th minute when the first of the 17 year olds, Jack Searle, produced a clinical finish for his 4th goal of the season. That was a “cracker from Jack”! Oops, sorry! With “Chelsea Dagger” blasting over the PA, we had the added entertainment of one of the match sponsors dancing with delight at the front of the Stand fully kitted out in a complete Keith FC Strip.

With 70 minutes on the clock, Keith’s only ever present this season so far, Jordan Cooper, was a hairbreadth away from getting his napper to an enticing Zak To cross. So, so near for “Coops” there!.

You’re always filled with a wee bit of anxiety at a single goal lead, but three minutes into stoppage time, the second 17 year old, Tristan Stephen, got the Nairn goalie Dylan MacLean all flustered, and the Aberdeen loanee capitalised by keeping a cool head to stroke the ball into the empty net from close range for his first Keith goal – “Well done Tris young lad”! we all hollered.

When the referee blew his peeper to end the game, it signalled a marvellous double over County, and a 25th clean sheet for goalie Craig Reid during his time as Keith’s No:1. Great stuff Craigie boy!

Yet again the Maroons fought on until the very end, reaping the rewards to extend a remarkable run. They way they all back each other up, encouraging, prompting, the willingness to run, harry, tackle and assist, the feelgood factor is oozing from their every pore just now:

UNOS PRO OMNIBUS, OMNES PRO UNO – (ALL FOR ONE – ONE FOR ALL!)

KEITH – Reid, Barron, C Robertson (Addison 89), Bird, Craib, Gill, Ormsby (Stephen 73), McKeown, Cooper (Ironside 84), To (Killoh 89), Searle. Subs unused – Nicol, Smith.

Referee – R McKinnon

Saturday 14th March 2026, KO 3.15pm
Report by Charlie Simpson