Turriff Utd 1 v Keith 2
MAROONS EARN FIRST WIN
Keith left the Haughs with all three points on Saturday, stretching their unbeaten sequence against Turriff to over five years. This was an end-to-end game full of entertainment for the fans, with both goalies in fine form to keep the first half goalless. The Maroons probably held the upper hand in the second half and goals from defenders Lewis Coull and co-captain Ryan Robertson sealed an excellent victory.
The visitors were missing co-skipper James Brownie and Gavin Elphinstone, but handed Jordan Lynch, on loan from Formartine, his debut.
Both goalies shone, with ex-Maroons custodian denying Mikey Taylor with a fine stop in the 10th minute. At the other end 7 minutes later Craig Reid showed his capability by diving to keep out John Allan’s drive, then reacting quickly to grasp the loose ball. A couple of minutes later Dey did well to scoop a deflected shot off the line. Reid was in action again ten minutes from the break, diving full length to tip round Jack McKenzie’s well-struck free kick.
Keith started the second half with young Coull replacing Ethan Smith who had overstretched just before half-time when pulling off a timely tackle. The young defender, who turned 19 on the 4th August, had the Keith fans in raptures in the 53rd minute when he kept “cool” following a corner to slam home a low drive.
With 70 minutes on the clock, the Maroons doubled the score when skipper Robertson, at the other end of the age scale at 32 years of age, pounced when a Nathan McKeown shot was deflected, to whip home amidst a melee of bodies. More glee from the Keith contingent, but only two minutes later Turra set up a nervy last 20 minutes, a wickedly deflected, twisting shot from Callan Gray was deemed to have crossed the line.
The Maroons defended stoutly though, bringing on fresh defensive legs in the shape of Kieran Yeats and Adam Morrison, and at the end of the afternoon, nobody could begrudge Craig Ewen’s men their first win of the season, which hoisted them up to 10th spot in the league table.
This was essentially a team performance, and the summer signings have all added to the strength of the player pool, and on the evidence of this display, Keith will give quite a few teams a run for their money this season.
KEITH – Reid, Addison, Cheyne (Yeats), Smith (Coull), Robertson, Gill, Duncan (McKeown), Cooper, Lynch (Morrison), Taylor, Ironside (Killoh). Unused subs – Tough, Wilson, MacLeod.
Referee – Mr J Kennedy
Saturday 12th August 2023, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson