Smith seals Shield semi success
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INVERURIE Locos manager Andy Low says he will quickly forget a below-par display at Huntly last night after the euphoria of reaching his first cup final as manager.
Jonny Smith's 93rd minute winner set up the Aberdeenshire Shield showdown with Fraserburgh on January 22 in a game where the Railwaymen came from behind twice.
After less than two months in the job, Low has his first target ticked off the list by navigating Locos into a final.
"It was an incredible ending", he said.
"I'm delighted to get to the final even if I'm disappointed with the performance as we looked a bit lacklustre, but in a semi-final that can happen sometimes.
"I'm happy we got the job done."
He continued: "The pitch was a bit bare so we just wanted to get the ball as quickly as possible, Huntly played to the conditions better than us I thought.
"We've not played since the Broxburn game so there was also a bit of match sharpness to shake off, whereas Huntly have been playing since then, they had a game here on Saturday.
"I said when I came in that Locos are a club who should be challenging for trophies and at the top end of the league.
"It's great to have got into a final so soon and it gives us something to look forward to, credit has to go to the players for getting us there."
The Huntly surface was really soft and a lot of sand was covering a large patch towards the Main Stand, but credit where it is due in an exceptionally wet period of weather, and the groundstaff did well to get the game on at all.
Keeper Andy Reid became poorly ahead of kick-off and took no part in proceedings, meaning a start for talented young glovesmith Morgan Cook.
Huntly settled the better and Nathan Meres was first to trouble the goalie, Cook brilliantly saving his drive.
Seconds later a towering - if unchallenged - Glenn Murison header flashed high into the net to boost the homesters.
Declan Milne headed wide and Murison volleyed past the post as Huntly continued to be the better of the sides.
Locos were having a challenging night on the topic of offside, with a Chris Angus goal ruled out.
They were to be on the wrong end of eight first half offside calls, a source of angst for the players and coaches.
Inverurie were poor in the first period, recording no attempts on goal so a 1-0 reverse wasn't a disaster by any means.
Skipper Neil McLean was yellowed for dissent before the second half kicked off, while Milne followed him into the book for an obvious attempt to deceive the referee in a bid to win a penalty.
Locos were beginning to look more like themselves but a moment of incredible madness by Ashley Ballam gifted them a leveller.
Angus latched onto a terrible surrender of possession and coolly rolled the ball home.
Jonny Smith shot over from distance, before Angus had another goal ruled out for offside - despite being at least 10 yards onside.
Eric Watson was enjoying his panto baddie persona, both seasonal and mildly entertaining, but his cupping of the ears as a tirade of abuse spewed out of the stand earned him a yellow.
Angus had a shot saved then was flagged offside twice more, both calls highly questionable with the benefit of the high vantage point.
Meres then looked to possibly have Huntly heading to a long overdue final, a rasping, rising shot leaving Cook with no chance.
Angus nearly netted as the ball spun down off a rebound from the goalie but Neil Gauld bagged his 11th Shield goal with a cultured finish with 11 minutes left.
The final period was entertaining in the extreme.
Ryan Stott was causing mayhem, tearing Huntly to bits.
Ross Still shot wide from the edge of the box, a home handled backpass wasn't punished then Angus appeared to have won a penalty, being knocked to the deck by Euan Storrier.
The referee appeared to be considering the award but gave a corner instead.
But with three minutes of added time gone, Stott swerved the corner in with that sublime left peg with Jonny Smith ensuring the ball ended up in the net - simply incredible.
There was still time for a few handbag flurries but Locos stood firm, Watson in particular immense and basking in seeing his side into a first Shield final since 2016.
