Disappointment for Keith boss Craig Ewen after cup loss to Forres Mechanics
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IT was a sense of deja vu for Keith boss Craig Ewen as his side went down to a disappointing 2-0 loss to Forres Mechanics at Kynoch Park on Saturday.
The Maroons were knocked of the Highland League Cup in the first round by the Can-Cans – with the result emulating the league defeat at Inverurie Locos the week prior.
However, according to the disappointed Keith manager, the performance was “half as good”.
“It’s back to the drawing board for us,” Ewen said.
“First half we were average and Forres were slightly better, but there wasn’t much in it and there wasn’t much quality on show.
“There was a lack of bravery from us to play further up the pitch in the first half. We created one really good moment with good football but nobody was gambling in the middle to make a name for themselves.
“Second half, we came out with more about us, but from the first goal there was only one team that looked like they were going to score again and it was Forres.
“The first goal was poor defensively from us. There was a lack of communication at the back. The second goal we’ve lost the ball in the middle of the park and that ultimately led to a penalty.
“That was game over as soon as the penalty went in. It’s disappointing for us again. We are going to have to make changes again.
"We are looking for this magic formula every week and right now, for whatever reason, boys aren’t delivering what we need and we aren’t getting the results, so we’ll need to change.”
Keith are the record holders of the Highland League Cup, but they’re a long way from competing for titles at the minute. Ewen said he is realistic about the club’s current position.
“I’ve got a certain sense of realism in terms of where we are as a club,” he said.
“We either need the players to improve or we need to sign better players if we are seriously considering cups. And that’s not going to be easy to do.
“The league table doesn’t lie – we aren’t scoring enough goals and conceding too many.”
Keith are back at home on Saturday when they take on Wick Academy in the Highland League.
That’s followed by another home clash against Turriff United, before a trip to struggling Clachnacuddin.
“Every game is important,” Ewen added. “We have Wick at home on Saturday and we are desperate to get three points – but we have been desperate for a win this last couple of weeks and, for whatever reason, we aren’t getting them.
“We need to knuckle down at training. Individually, everybody will have an area of their game that they can improve. Right now we are falling short.”
There was good news for Keith fans at the weekend as goalkeeper Craig Reid, impressive in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Forres, and left-back Kieran Yeats signed new deals with the Maroons.
Reid will stay with the club until 2024, with Yeats signed up until 2025.
