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Keith manager Craig Ewen hopes the weather relents and his Maroons can return to Highland League action against Brechin City on Wednesday


By Craig Christie

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AFTER four consecutive matches off, Keith are desperate to return to action with a tough double header.

Keith manager Craig Ewen. Picture: Becky Saunderson..
Keith manager Craig Ewen. Picture: Becky Saunderson..

The Maroons were left idle on Saturday due to Rothes’ Mackessack Park being waterlogged, adding to the recent postponements of Keith’s home matches against Fort William (twice) and Deveronvale.

Barring any effect from low temperatures tonight, the Kynoch Park men should be back in the thick of things at home to Brechin City tomorrow evening.

As difficult a game as that will be after en enforced lay-off, manager Craig Ewen must then take his team into battle against current league leaders Fraserburgh on Saturday.

“Saturday was a disappointing one when there was a full card apart from our game at Rothes,” Ewen said.

“The weather is up and down, but there’s a decent forecast this week and we are hoping to get two games, although they will be very hard games.

“It’s against two top four teams in contention and both very difficult fixtures especially on the back of a lay-off.

“We will look to do the best we can on Wednesday and see where it takes us then do the same at the weekend.

“It would be nice to come back to an easier game but we will give it our best.”

Brechin’s title aspirations took a heavy dent with three defeats since the turn of the year, but they will have gained a lift from Saturday’s 3-0 victory at Huntly.

Fraserburgh saw their own league hopes damaged by a shock 1-1 draw at home to third-bottom Turriff.

Ewen added: “Fraserburgh will be smarting after dropping points on Saturday and they have a tricky cup game on Wednesday (at Rothes) so there might be pressure on them now to win just about every game.”

Rhys Thomas, one of Keith’s four loan players in action in their last outing against Forres. Picture: Becky Saunderson..
Rhys Thomas, one of Keith’s four loan players in action in their last outing against Forres. Picture: Becky Saunderson..

The Keith boss will be pleased to bring back goalscoring midfielder and captain James Brownie, who missed their last game – a 2-1 home loss to Forres – due to Covid issues.

Brownie had netted six goals in his previous five outings, including three consecutive victories, and will bolster their challenge against Brechin.

Two other unnamed players will miss the midweek game due to Covid reasons but will be available to return for the home game with Fraserburgh.

Keith have reached their limit for loan signings this season, brining in Finn Yeats from Aberdeen and goalkeeper Bal Demus from Cove Rangers, while Connor Grant has returned to Fraserburgh from his loan stint.

Rhys Thomas (Cove) and Liam Strachan (Inverurie) are Keith’s other loanees for the rest of the season.


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