Deveronvale 1 v Keith 0

MAROONS LOSE OUT IN OPENER

Keith handed competitive debuts to their three close season signings, Liam Cheyne, Craig Gill, and Mikey Taylor, but still came away empty handed from Princess Royal Park in the season’s opener.

The Maroons didn’t play badly, and on another day would probably have earned at least a share of the spoils. ‘Vale’s exuberant youngsters were busy bees and in particular, goalscorer Horace Ormsby was a handful all afternoon. Keith created quite a few chances, with Banff goalie Sean McIntosh pulling off three good saves to thwart them.

The homesters nabbed what turned out to be the only goal of the game on the quarter hour mark when Ormsby pounced on the edge of the box to rifle a low drive beyond Craig Reid. The same player was denied another goal nine minutes later, his curling shot cracking back off the face of the crossbar.

The Maroons thought they’d equalised on the half hour when Gavin Elphinstone’s shot appeared to cross the line, but no goal was given. Then a Liam Duncan effort was cleared off the line by Harry Noble.

Keith battled in the second half without much luck, introducing fresh legs and incisive play in the shape of Matty Tough, Nathan McKeown and Mikey Ironside. McKeown was a mite unlucky with 11 minutes remaining goalie McIntosh keeping his net bound effort out with his feet, the loose ball being cleared.

KEITH – Reid, Coull, Cheyne, Addison, Robertson, Gill, Elphinstone, Brownie, Duncan (McKeown), Taylor (Tough), Killoh (Ironside). Subs unused – Andrews, Smith, Wilson, Morrison, Yeats, MacLeod.

Referee – Mr H Bruce.

Saturday 29th July, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson