Keith make Brechin City work for victory which sets up Highland League title decider
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Although Keith came away from this midweek tussle empty-handed, they fought tooth and nail against one of the top two sides in the Highland League.
Brechin City will have breathed a huge sigh of relief when the referee blew his peeper for time up that is for sure.
A bumper crowd of over 300 witnessed an exciting affair and although Brechin had the upper hand in the first half, I think it would be fair to say that the Maroons were in the ascendancy for large chunks of the second period.
Six gruelling games in an 18-day period speaks volumes for the players’ fitness and commitment.
They were struck a blow after only 16 minutes when Joey Wilson had to be stretchered off with what turned out to be ligament damage and a hairline fracture.
Despite forcing a string of corners, Brechin couldn’t make the early breakthrough they wanted.
Keith gaffer Craig Ewen was sent to the stand in the 28th minute, courtesy of two quick fire yellow cards for comments to the referee.
Two minutes later came the opening goal, Fraser MacLeod whipping a low drive into the bottom corner of the net.
Keith’s heads didn’t go down and they battled bravely back.
They were taking the game to the visitors, but then with 11 minutes remaining Craig Reid hesitated in coming out for a Ewen Murray passback and Ewan Loudon ended up rifling the loose ball home.
The score-line perhaps did Keith an injustice as they had matched their opponents for most of the game.
Keith team: Reid, Killoh, Murray, Yunus, Addison, Yeats, Elphinstone, Brownie, Tough (Duncan), Hutcheon (Cumming), Wilson (Ironside).
Subs not used: Smith, Robertson, Irvine.
Referee: D Nicolson
