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Locos played out a first goalless draw of the season with Banks o’ Dee at Harlaw Park. Despite the scoreline, there was no shortage of incident as Daniel Hoban saved Calum Dingwall’s penalty before the visitors were reduced to ten men late in the first half as Iain Vigurs was shown a second yellow card.
With Paul Coutts unavailable and Greg Mitchell still out with a knock, Dean Donaldson fielded a young, inexperienced team. In contrast Dee, who were missing some players themselves, boasted players with a lot of experience at this and higher levels. It was perhaps no surprise then that it was the visitors who started brightest, seemingly first to every loose ball in the opening exchanges. Locos grew into the game though, and it developed into an absorbing contest.
Vigurs wasn’t far off with a free kick before Daniel Agnew had a couple of opportunities at the other end, first heading over from Blair Smith’s cross, then firing just the wrong side of the post. Agnew was proving a thorn in the side for the visiting defence and it was his shot in the 26th minute that struck Mark Reynolds arm, with the referee awarding a penalty. In regular taker Coutts’ absence, Dingwall stepped up but Hoban dived to his left to turn the spot kick away.
Smith was next to threaten but his header from close range hit the underside of the bar and came down the wrong side of the line before Banks o’ Dee scrambled clear. Six minutes from half time, Vigurs was dismissed following a block on Cole Anderson. The Dee camp felt the decision was soft, and co-manager Paul Lawson was booked for venting his frustrations, but in truth, Vigurs’ first yellow could perhaps have been a straight red as he appeared to punch Mark Souter in the stomach as the players readied for a free kick delivery.
In the second half clear cut chances were at a premium. Smith again headed goalwards but Hoban reacted well to tip the effort over the bar. The visitors were managing their numerical disadvantage well, staying organised at the back while still carrying a threat when they were able to get forward. Andy Hunter came close to breaking the deadlock in the final 10 minutes but his header was saved superbly by Zack Ellis just as it looked destined for the top corner. There was time for one more Locos chance but substitute Reuben Skea fired onto the outside of the post from a tight angle.
Donaldson felt this was a good game and was pleased with his players. “In the first half there was plenty to get people off their seats” he said. “I thought we played really well, thought we had a really good game”. There will no doubt be frustration with the missed penalty, and the fact that Locos had an extra man for a good length of time, but a draw was probably a fair reflection of the game. Indeed, but for Ellis, all three points could be heading down the A96 to Aberdeen and Deano is very happy to have secured 2 points this season against one of the strongest teams in the league.
Locos are at home again next week when Rothes visit to kick off 2025.
