Eightsome reel for the dashing red and black sergeants
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by Billy Thomson
ANDY Low’s Railwaymen, still on a high after reaching the first cup final of the gaffer's tenure three days earlier, were ruthless in disposing of Turriff United 8-1 at a freezing Harlaw Park.
Jamie Michie was completing his suspension from the controversy-laden Wick Academy debacle, with Ryan Broadhurst and Andy Hunter returning, skipper Neil McLean starting on the bench.
Andy Reid was feeling better after illness and so returned to replace able deputy Morgan Cook.
Managers and supporters love their sides to start matches on the front foot and be sharp and lively right from the get-go - Inverurie Locos certainly delivered on that.
Two minutes in and a lovely one-two between Andy Hunter and Sam Burnett allowed the former to slide rule a ball to Neil Gauld to sweep the ball home.
The hitman was in livewire mode and next he cracked a dipping drive just over the crossbar.
It was 2-0 on 14 miniutes as Gauld looked to have been closed down sufficiently by Turriff in their powder blue away kit but the Locos goalmeister dinked a sublime curved finish right into the bottom corner.
Keir Smith shot into the arms of Reid as United looked for respite, but four minutes later it was three.
Chris Angus is such an impressive footballer and here he controlled a drilled assist from his goalkeeper before a composed finish.
Greg Mitchell picked up a sore facial injury after an entirely accidental collision with Kinsella.
Hunter and Angus had firm shots bravely charged down but next Jonny Smith refused to be left out of another top show of forwardmanship.
The big Englishman, refreshed, rejuvenated and re-energised under the stewardship of Andy Low, killed the ball and lob-wedged a crackerjack of a goal just under the bar from nearly 40 yards out.
Mitchell was playing on despite obvious discomfort and he nearly had Gauld in for his hat-trick.
But Gauld wasn’t to be denied for long in his quest to glean his 23rd hat-trick for the club and fired home a rebound on 33 minutes.
Ex-Loco Matthew McDonald had Reid requiring to repel two shots with Gauld next to threaten yet again, a lob landing on the roof of the net and a header flashing wide as Thomas Reid replaced Mitchell.
McDonald shot into the side net, Keir Smith shot straight at Reid and Hunter had Fraser Hobday bravely saving his side just ahead of the half-time whistle.
Locos temporarily lost a wee bit of their admirable intensity for the first portion of the second half, but still were troubling Hobday, the overworked goalie saving from Angus then watching a Smith scissors kick crash back from the underside of the bar and pulling off a top stop from a Gauld cannonball volley.
Cammy Bowden netted for United with a stooped header, denying Inverurie a clean sheet.
Jordan Cooper was on for Burnett and had an effort turned wide.
Robert Ward then tricked Reid and was tripped by the defender for a penalty, the spot kick being sent wide by the same player.
Cooper shot wide but Smith had his brace on 74 minutes with a superb finish.
He then headed against the bar but got his hat-trick with a thumping, blootering shot home after an Angus run and drive rebounded from Hobday, now having netted seven goals after a cruel, serious injury.
Ryan Stott was afield, on for Hunter, and he fired wide as Locos looked like they could go through double figures.
Cooper shot wide with Gauld closing the scoring with a stunning lob that left the keeper with no chance.
Turriff didn’t quit, nor did they resort to any dark arts, despite spending the match tirelessly chasing a Locos side right in the groove and playing some fine football.
Inverurie started the second half of their SHFL campaign with a 8-1 win and whilst considered only third or fourth favourites to land their first league flag, should be proud to be in the mix this Yuletide.
It’s a trip to Forres next for Locos, the Can-Cans desperately unlucky to lose to an overtime goal in Sutherland to everyone’s champions elect on Saturday.
Locos: A Reid, M Souter, Mitchell (T Reid) , Burnett (Cooper), Watson, Broadhurst, Dingwall, Hunter (Stott), Gauld, Smith, Angus.
Unused subs: McLean, Cook.
Turriff United: Hobday, O Kinsella (E Smith) (Reid) Esson, Norris, Stuart, Bowden, Cross, L Kinsella, McDonald, Smith, Ward.
Unused subs: Grant, Chalmers, Buxton, Ironside, Wood.
