First Highland League win for Clachnacuddin as Keith let things slip in captain James Brownie's 200th appearance

This was no pre Christmas cracker for Keith, as they 'gifted' Clach their first win of the season.

Hoping to celebrate co-skipper James Brownie’s 200th appearance for the Maroons, stretching back to August 2016, they fairly made a fist of it in the first half, but two avoidable goals in the latter stages of the game consigned visiting fans to a 'bah humbug' Saturday night.

Craig Ewen’s men pressed in the early stages of the game, but they were rocked in the 15th minute when the Lily Whites were awarded a debatable penalty. There was no dubiety though about the spot kick conversion, Harry Hennem calmly sending Craig Reid one way, and the ball the other.

Jordan Cooper wasn’t far away with a neat header on the half hour, but three minutes later it was indeed all square. Veteran goalie Kevin Main made a hash of a kick out and Mikey Taylor pounced to get the ball, cut it across to Matty Tough and the on-form striker rifled home a low drive, scoring for the third game on the trot.

Seven minutes after the turnaround Brownie was denied a dream goal when his well-struck shot was brilliantly blocked by Main. There was really little in it after that until the 75th minute when Rorie Macleod was allowed to race through unchallenged from his own half before unleashing a fierce 18-yarder into the roof of the net.

There really was only going to be one winner after that with the Merkinchers having the smell of blood in their nostrils and sure enough four minutes on, Connor Bunce was allowed to wheel and whip home a low drive from inside the penalty area.

A disappointing outcome after an encouraging first half, and early part of the second half, but the second goal in particular was laid on Clach’s plate and the Maroons ended up like your Christmas turkey – well and truly 'stuffed'!

Keith: Reid, Wilson, Yeats, Coull, Robertson, Gill, Killoh (McKeown 67), Brownie, Cooper (Duncan 82), Taylor, Tough (Ironside 67). Subs: Morrison, Smith, Macleod.

Referee: Billy Baxter

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