Keith 5 v Lossiemouth 0

TRISTAN’S TREBLE TROUNCES LOSSIE

Well folks, I don’t know if words can really describe, or do justice to, this dismantling of an unfortunate Lossiemouth side caught in the headlights of the Keith juggernaut. On the back of a hectic programme of games that included playing in four out of the five previous Wednesdays, as well as the normal Saturdays, the feeling maybe was that after a sapping tussle at Huntly, Craig’s Commandos might just be a mite battle weary.

Not a bit of it, as they showed an incredible appetite for the match, full of vim and vigour, will to win, ruthless in front of goal, chasing and harrying continually for the cause, right from the first peep of Referee Stuart Randall’s whistle.

Now, understandably, the goal hero was 17 year old Tristan Stephen with a first Keith hat-trick since Cammy Wilson completed a treble against Nairn County in March 2025. His elder, by 10 days, Jack Searle, produced a deadly double, but every single player was immense, shrugging off the rigours of recent exertions with incredible aplomb.

I don’t want to bore you to tears, more than I normally do, but this was Keith’s first league double over The Coasters in 10 years, our highest number of league points in 15 years, highest number of league wins in 10 years, highest league position in 15 years….I could drone on a bit yet, but the most important part about Saturday  was of course the match!

This was the 149th League encounter between the sides, and the feeling was in the air right away. After only 5 minutes a Zak To free kick had Arran Anderson at full stretch to finger the ball round the post.  It was no real surprise barely five minutes later that “Chelsea Dagger “ was being blasted out over the PA, when the visitors failed to clear a corner, and To set Searle up to gleefully sweep home his 5th goal of the season. “Great stuff Jack “ we all howled in the time honoured fashion.

This was impressive stuff from the Maroons and with 20 minutes on the clock, well, we were up aff oor seats like bullets, when young Tris sent a belter of a 20 yarder flashing into the roof of the old ingin bag. “Tris, you cracker!” we stared in disbelief for a split second before making our vocal chords twang!

Now, Kynoch Park is maybe on Balloch “Road”, but the Maroons were on easy street five minutes from the half-time cuppa when wee Nathan McKeown brilliantly teed up Stephen to dink the ball wide of the goalie into the far corner. Jeezo, “Chelsea Dagger” was smokin’!

Eleven minutes after the break, Keith were to the “four” when the ball came pinging in from the left wing and “Happy Jack” swept home his 6th goal of the season from 8 yards. A minute later Jordan Cooper was unlucky to see his shot deflected for a corner. Then a McKeown piledriver was superbly kept out by the ‘keeper.

The Maroons went nap in the 70th minute when who else but the ebullient Stephen hammered his hat-trick into the roof of the net from 8 yards for his 5th goal of the campaign – Wow, just wow!  This was young Tristan’s parting shot as it were as he was then substituted, trooping off the park to marvellous applause from those of us of a Maroon persuasion.

That was that as they say – a comprehensive win, and...one game remaining!

KEITH – Reid, Barron, C Robertson (Killoh 75), Addison, Craib (Ironside 70), Gill, Stephen (Duncan 70), McKeown, Cooper (Brownie 80), To, Searle (Lynch 70). Subs unused – Smith, Nicol, Murray, R Robertson.

Referee – S Randall

Saturday 4th April 2026, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson