First Highland League visit to Golspie Sutherland's King George V playing fields ends in defeat for Keith Football Club as Brora Rangers prove too strong

Keith manager rang the changes for the trip to tackle Brora Rangers with co-captains Ryan Robertson and James Brownie amongst those starting the match on the bench.

Read more: Saturday's Highland League round-up

Due to Dudgeon Park being unplayable the match took place at Golspie Sutherland’s pitch The King George V Playing Field.

This was the first time that the Maroons had played a Highland League match there, but had three Qualifying Cups wins out of three under their belts at the same venue in 1964, 1984 and 1987.

Despite a spirited display they couldn’t quite maintain the 100 per cent record.

With goalkeeper Craig Reid wearing the captain’s armband, the Maroons found themselves playing against a stiff breeze and lost three goals in the first half.

Brora opened the scoring in the 14th minute when James Wallace scrambled the ball following a corner.

They doubled the scoreline 11 minutes later when Jordan MacRae turned an Alex Cooper pass into the net from 8 yards.

Nine minutes from the break Reid parried a fierce Max Ewan drive and the alert Wallace pounced to slip home the loose ball.

The Maroons took the game to Brora after the half time cuppa but lost a fourth goal when a piece of slick play ended with Ali Sutherland whipping home from 10 yards.

Sticking manfully to the task, Keith got the crumb of comfort their play deserved midway through the half when Craig Gill rifled home his first goal for the club from 12 yards.

Keith team: Reid, Lynch, Buchan, Coull, Morrison, Gill, McKeown (Duncan), Killoh (Brownie) Stewart, Taylor, Tough (Cooper). Subs unused: Robertson, Yeats, Ironside, Macleod.

Ref: G Morrison

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