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Locos defence of the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup ended on a frustrating night at North Lodge Park. Johnny Crawford’s second half volley was enough for the home side to progress from a game that Locos will feel they had the better of even before a second yellow card for Marc Lawrence reduced the Formartine to ten men. Lawrence wasn’t the first man in Formartine colours to see red though, as a bizarre incident earlier in the second half had seen a member of the home coaching staff dismissed for entering the Locos dugout.
Logan Johnstone and Lloyd Robertson returned to the starting lineup against the Pitmedden side who Locos had beaten on their way to lifting the trophy last season. It was United who started the brightest though.
Tyler Mykyta fired off target before Ewan MacDonald made a comfortable save from Nathan Meres. Paul Campbell clipped the outside of the post and Zack Ellis then did well to keep out a Mykyta free kick at full stretch.
After that frantic opening twenty minutes, Locos settled and began to dictate play. Meres twisted and turned before firing an effort towards the top corner but MacDonald was equal to it, making an excellent diving save. From the corner kick that followed, the Formartine stopper was called into action again, tipping the ball onto the crossbar and behind. The Railwaymen were dominating as half time approached but despite several dangerous balls into the box, couldn’t find the crucial touch to break the deadlock.
Locos came out for the second half in determined fashion, maintaining possession and pushing the hosts deeper and deeper. They weren’t able to capitalise though, and found themselves behind against the run of play just over 10 minutes into the half. Mykyta’s excellent cross was met first time by Crawford arriving at the far post to power past Ellis.
Locos continued to dominate the ball but weren’t able to open up a dogged home defence who were managing the game well having got themselves in front. With thirteen minutes remaining, Locos found themselves a man to the good with Lawrence’s dismissal and were able to apply even more pressure. Reuben Skea looked odds-on to score when he got on the end of fellow substitute Callum Duncan’s cross but his header flew the wrong side of the upright. Blair Smith, making his 50th appearance in a Locos shirt, then fired goalwards but was denied by MacDonald.
That would prove Locos final opening as the hosts held on to win the tie. Dean Donaldson was pleased with the performance form his players but frustrated that they were unable find the net. “I actually really loved it. I loved the game, I loved the way my boys played, it’s just unfortunate sometimes you’re on the wrong side of the result” the gaffer said. “We didn’t take our chances – and there was a good few chances there we should’ve been scoring.”
Locos will be looking to bounce back on Saturday when we return to Highland League action with a visit to Rothes.
