Close
Locos started the season with a win despite being down to 10 men for most of the game at Princess Royal Park. Nathan Meres was shown a red card after just seven minutes of the new campaign but first half goals from Cole Anderson and Jay Halliday secured the points.
There had been little action in the Banff sunshine prior to Meres’ dismissal for an off-the-ball altercation that was brought to the referee’s attention by his assistant. The Railwaymen responded well though and created the first clear chance of the game as Greg Mitchell, who had already fired over from the edge of the box, broke into the penalty area but saw his low shot blocked by the legs of home keeper Ethan Hopkinson.
Chances were few and far between but Locos were edging it and took the lead through a fine move on 23 minutes when Halliday released Anderson who finished coolly past Hopkinson.
Vale were struggling to test Zack Ellis but Harry Noble wasn’t far off target with a drive from distance ten minutes before the break. A few minutes later Locos doubled their lead. A good move saw Blair Smith found in space on the left and when his cross came back off the crossbar, Halliday was on hand to finish.
After the break, the game continued in much the same vein. Halliday shot over after Wilson and Anderson combined well before Adam Reid fired straight at Zack Ellis. Wilson played a neat one-two with Daniel Agnew, making his Locos debut as a first half substitute, but his effort was saved at close range by Hopkinson.
As they looked to make their extra man count, Deveronvale began to put more balls into the box but Locos saw the game out comfortably. Meres’ red card and an injury that forced Josh Buchan off in the first half are concerns but this was an assured performance and an excellent result to kick off the campaign. There were strong performances across the pitch, including encouraging debuts for Agnew and Ryan Park from the bench.
We welcome league champions Buckie Thistle to Harlaw Park next Saturday as we make our home bow.
