Rothes 1 v Keith 5
NAP HAND ENDS SUPER SEASON IN STYLE
Well, that’s the Final Curtain brought down on a memorable 2025-26 season – and, take a massive bow Conductor in Chief Craig Ewen, and his Cast of Leading Lights in the shape of Craig’s Commandos. When was the last time, like me, you didna want the season to end? Despite the comprehensive win at MacKessack Park giving the Maroons an incredible 16 wins, 4 draws and two defeats from their last 22 league outings stretching back to 11th October, such has been the impressive purple patch, I didn’t want it to stop.
Completing the league double over Rothes into the bargain, the three points elevated the Maroons up into 6th place, and if Wick Academy overcome Banks o Dee on Saturday, they shall remain in that lofty spot. Irrespective of that outcome, Keith have ended the season with their highest placing and points tally in 15 years, their highest goals tally in a completed season for 7 years, their lowest goals conceded column for a whopping 17 years , the first time for 14 years they’ve scored more than they’ve conceded, and...the first time in 9 years they’ve won their final match – Wow, that fair makes me gasp!
Five separate players got their names on the scoresheet against the Speysiders – and the effervescent Jordan Cooper is the only player to figure in all 39 competitive games, the first ever present since Andy Shearer in 2011-12.
Playing against a strong headwind inm the first half, the Maroons set their stall out as early as the 5th minute when Nathan McKeown’s powerful 15 yarder was beaten away by home goalie Stewart Black. The deadlock was broken in the 20th minute when a McKeown left wing cross was neatly headed home by 17 year old Tristan Stephen for his 6th goal of the campaign. “Get in there Tris” we all howled as we loupit aff oor seats!
It wasn’t all one way traffic though, and Craig Reid produced a one handed save to deny Thomas Brady with 27 minutes gone. Into the second half, and Reid pulled off another fine save with 53 minutes played, but seconds later he was helpless as Daniel Fraser swept the ball into the net from six yards – Ach!
That stung the Maroons into retaliation, and they were back in front barely a minute later when skipper Craig Gill unleashed an 18 yarder that gave Black no chance – a belter and a half fae Gilly and no mistake – up aff oor seats in a flash! The ‘keeper then excelled in the 58th minute producing a point blank stop to keep out Conor Bird’s powerful header. He was left stranded though seven minutes later, when play opened up for wee Callum Robertson to keep a cool head to slot into the empty net – “Ya beauty Calsy”, we all howled, at least those of us of a Maroon persuasion.
Keith were to the “four” with 76 minutes on the old egg timer, when the ball ricocheted into McKeown’s path, and he duly nabbed his 9th goal of the campaign – “Well done Nathan lad” as we exercised our vocal chords again!
Then, with five minutes remaining it was well and truly tatties ower the side for Ronnie Sharp’s men when Liam Duncan was upended inside the box – and Connor Killoh made no mistake with the spot-kick, grabbing Keith’s 450th competitive penalty goal from open play. Judging by his post goal celebration methinks CK rather enjoyed that one!
KEITH – Reid, Barron, C Robertson (Killoh 75), Addison (Ironside 70), Lynch (R Robertson 70), Gill, Stephen (Duncan 75), McKeown, Cooper, To, Bird (Murray 82). Sub unused – Smith.
Referee – S Leslie
Saturday 11th April 2026, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson