Keith 2 v Forres Mechanics 6

MAROONS HIT FOR SIX BY CAN CANS

Forres, like Keith, had been on a long no win run, but on Saturday, it was the Maroons left licking their wounds as the Can Cans hit them for six. The visitors looked far sharper and eager than their hosts and in the first  half it was practically one way traffic. Three late first half strikes had the game over by half time.

On a heavy pitch, same for both teams mind you, Forres dictated right from the off, and shots and corners abounded without scoring. The deadlock was broken in the 32nd minute when a Dale Wood pass saw substitute Shaun Morrison, only on the park for three minutes, react quickly to convert. Four minutes later the home rearguard failed to challenge big pivot Lee Fraser who rose to head home. A cute backheel from eager beaver Morrison almost caught out Craig Reid, but it was practically game over two minutes from half time when Morrison raced through and his parting shot clipped the foot of the far post and into the net.

A disappointing first half for the Maroons with one shot off target during the entire forty five minutes. A change in formation and the introduction of Matty Tough for the ineffective Dem Yunus after the break, brought a spark and as the hour mark approached Gavin Elphinstone crashed an unstoppable 25 yarder into the roof the net.

However, instead of instilling a comeback, it really was all over ten minutes later when Fraser grabbed his second of the afternoon amidst a goalmouth melee.  Then with 77 minutes played Forres made it a nap hand when substitute Ben Barron scrambled the ball home as the homesters failed to clear their lines.

The Maroons grabbed a small crumb of comfort in the 81st minute when young goalie Corey Paterson fumbled and Lewis Coull forced the ball over the line at the back post. Forres had the last say in the dying seconds when Barron gleefully slammed the ball into the roof of the net compound a miserable afternoon for Keith and their fans.

KEITH – Reid, Coull, Murray, Smith (Tough), Addison, Yeats, Elphinstone, Brownie, Yunus (McKeown), Killoh, Duncan (Hutcheon).  Subs unused – Cumming, Ironside, Abdulkarim, Irvine.

Referee – Mr H Bruce

Saturday 25th March 2023, KO 3pm

Report by Charlie Simpson