Inverurie 2 Keith 0: Maroons fight well but lose at Locos

KEITH’s truncated 2020-21 Highland League season got under way with a battling 2-0 defeat against Inverurie Locos at Harlaw Park on Saturday.

Locos are likely to be one of the title challengers, but the Maroons, with new management duo of Andy Roddie and Tommy Wilson at the helm, made them fight for the win in an end-to-end affair.

Keith keeper Greg Simpson was out quickly to block Nathan Meres on 17 minutes, but was helpless as Neil Gauld cleverly lobbed him from 20 yards minutes later.

Midway through the second period, Michael Selfridge’s curling effort went just over for Keith – who were then hit with a sucker-punch on 76 minutes as Gauld headed in his and Locos’ second.

Keith ended with 10 men as Craig MacAskill was sent off for a second yellow.

Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives from the opening day – including the performance of loanees Liam Strachan and Logan Watt.

Keith host Huntly at Kynoch Park tomorrow night.

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