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Two first half goals consigned Locos to defeat at a blustery Kynoch Park. The Railwaymen rallied and put the home side under pressure after the break, but couldn’t breach the Keith defence.
Blessing Oluyemi, Max Foster, Callum Duncan and Josh Bolton all returned to the starting lineup and there was a place on the bench for Josh Robb, whose transfer from Huntly was announced earlier in the day. The hosts have been in good form at it showed in the confident way they started the game. Jordan Cooper had already headed just wide when Conor Bird opened the scoring half way through the first half, meeting Zak To’s free kick to nod past Blessing Oluyemi.
Locos best effort of the half came from Robert Ward but Craig Reid got down well to save at his near post. Just a couple of minutes later, Keith doubled their lead. Craig Gill found Nathan McKeown in the area, who had time and space to pick his spot.
After the break, Callum Duncan had an early opportunity but his effort from an angle was comfortably gathered by Reid. The home keeper was called on again to save from Ward as Locos began to enjoy some time on the ball in the attacking third. Jay Halliday was next to try his luck, but his effort from distance was too high and Jack McKenzie’s shot had a similar outcome shortly afterwards.
Locos were putting Keith under increasing pressure but with a two goal lead, the hosts defended solidly and remained a threat when they did get forward, Tristan Stephen heading just off target from a corner. Lloyd Robertson got on the end of a Ward knock down but could only poke his volley straight at Reid as Keith held on comfortably for victory.
This was another disappointing night as Locos once again didn’t really get going until after the break. There was some encouragement to take from the second half performance but Dean Donaldson will be looking for much better as his team face a tricky run of fixtures, starting with a trip to title hopefuls Brechin City on Saturday.
