Close
The points were shared from a game that will not stay long in the memory of those in attendance at Pitmedden. The result was probably a fair reflection of the game but Locos left North Lodge Park frustrated that they hadn’t taken all three points after Paul Campbell had levelled Cole Anderson’s opener with the hosts reduced to ten men.
Jay Halliday and Nathan Meres returned to the starting line-up and returning loanee Milosz Ochmanski also started the game. Fellow newly arrived loan signing Cole Donaldson was named on the bench. Ochmanski had a golden opportunity to open the scoring just a minute into the game, but was unable to keep his header down from Calum Dingwall’s corner.
The two teams were cancelling each other out, pressing their opponents relentlessly, resulting in few goalscoring opportunities. The goalkeepers had little to do as any shots that did come in were from distance and off target. Daniel Agnew came closest for the Railwaymen, curling an effort just over the bar, and hesitation in the Locos defence almost presented the hosts with a goal as Julian Wade was able to carry the ball almost to the goal line.
Zack Ellis was required early in the second half, doing well to turn Wade’s close range effort over the bar. It was starting to look like one goal might be enough to win the game and Locos position strengthened when Matthew McLean was sent off with 20 minutes remaining. When Anderson went down under pressure in the penalty area, the referee produced a yellow card, accusing the former Formartine man of simulation. However, several home players surrounded Anderson and one appeared to grab him by the neck. McLean disputed that he was that man but his protests fell on deaf ears and he was dismissed.
Unsurprisingly, Locos began to see a lot of the ball and were keeping the home side penned into their defensive third of the pitch. Ewan MacDonald produced a fine save to deny Mark Souter but Locos made the breakthrough from the resulting corner. When the ball went back out to corner-taker Dingwall on the right, his inviting cross was poked home at the back post by Anderson.
The goal forced Formartine to get forward and the game began to open up. Ellis saved well from Campbell but the substitute had his goal a few minutes later. Greg Mitchell’s back pass was slightly under hit and although Ellis got to the ball, his kick was closed down by Wade and the ball squirmed across the area for Campbell to slot home. Locos pushed to get themselves back in front but couldn’t find a way through.
This was a game of little quality, with both teams guilty of sloppy play at times and the final ball too often going astray. A point at North Lodge Park can never be seen as a bad result but Locos will certainly feel that victory had been within their grasp. Dean Donaldson’s team have an excellent record of returning to winning ways after dropping points this season and they will be looking to do just that when they host Lossiemouth on Wednesday evening before travelling to Keith on Saturday.
