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Locos were well beaten on a tough afternoon at Dudgeon Park that saw both teams finish the game with ten men. The Railwaymen came away frustrated by some of the refereeing decisions but also by the nature of the goals they conceded and their failure to test the home goalkeeper.
Dean Donaldson stuck with the same starting eleven that had performed so well in midweek, but Locos found themselves behind within a minute. The goal seemed to come in slow motion as James Wallace got to a pull back from the right and his strike went in off the post.
Dudgeon Park isn’t an easy place to visit at the best of times and conceding so early was the last thing Locos wanted. They gradually worked their way into the game though and were starting to match the Cattachs when they were hit by a controversial second goal just after the half hour. Jay Halliday was shown a yellow card after bringing down Wallace as he carried the ball forward. Jordan Macrae then struck the free kick past Zack Ellis as he was organising his defence. Locos were furious that the goal was allowed to stand as there had been no whistle from the referee, as is required following a booking.
Logan Johnstone then fired narrowly wide from a tight angle and Craig Mackenzie put an effort off target shortly before the break. Five minutes into the second half, Locos were again dismayed by the referee. Cole Anderson cut into the penalty area on the right and went down under the challenge of Colin Williamson, who breathed a sigh of relief when the referee, who was well positioned, waved play on.
To add to Locos anger, Halliday was dismissed a couple of minutes later. The ball appeared to strike the midfielder’s hand inadvertently as the home team broke forward and the referee deemed it worthy of a second yellow card. Ellis dived to his right to keep out Jordan Macrae’s free kick, after the referee had this time blown his whistle to restart the game.
Despite being a man short, Locos were still trying to get forward and were nearly rewarded with a goal. Cameron Mackay saved from Reuben Skea before Aidan Wilson’s follow up was well blocked. Skea threw himself at the loose ball but could only divert it over the crossbar.
Ellis saved again from Jordan Macrae, this time turning his header behind before Anderson tested Mackay with a fierce
Jordan Macrae did add his second 14 minutes from time, heading home George Robeston’s cross from twelve yards.
With the clock running down, Craig Mackenzie picked up his second yellow card of the afternoon when he tripped Mark Souter.
Locos couldn’t have got off to a worse start but will be disappointed that, having played themselves back into the game, they didn’t carry a greater threat. There will certainly be questions of the officials but the Railwaymen will be looking to provide answers of their own when Forres Mechanics visit Harlaw Park next Saturday.
