Keith 1 Deveronvale 1: Draw 'fair' in weather-afflicted match
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BOTH managers agreed that Saturday's 1-1 draw between Keith and Deveronvale was fair.
The Maroons took the lead almost straight from kick-off through Liam Duncan, but Olek Dlugosz equalised for 'Vale within the first 10 minutes and a wind and rain afflicted match ended with both sides getting a share of the spoils.
Keith manager Craig Ewen said: “A draw was fair. The pitch cut up really badly with the rain, and the wind was blowing down the pitch.
“We had it with us in the first half and played fairly poorly with it. Vale were better team first half, but second half was the opposite, we were better playing into the wind.
"We should have won it late and had shots cleared off the line, but Vale had chances.
“Both teams would have preferred the three points, but it was one of those games, conditions were difficult and it became a battle.
"The players definitely gave me a better showing second half.”
Ethan Smith, recently signed from Turriff United, made his second Maroons appearance and Ewen was pleased with his efforts in defence.
“Ethan was looking for a change after falling a wee bit out of favour at Turriff,” he said. “He has good pedigree and will improve the more he plays.”
Deveronvale manager Craig Stewart is hoping his side can kick on and push up the Highland League table after “stopping the rot” with the 1-1 draw.
The draw secured the first point for 'Vale since the end of November, after seven straight defeats.
Stewart, who was serving the final match of a three-game dugout ban, said: “We could have nicked the win, but it would have been nicked.
“Over the piece, a draw was about right. We lost a very, very early goal but credit to the lads because they were back on terms within 10 minutes.
“We were the better team in the first half and Keith edged the second, so a draw was right, although we are disappointed with a point.
“The conditions were really difficult so credit to both sets of players for trying to play.”
