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Locos went out of the Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield at the hands of Keith on a frustrating night at Harlaw Park. After a disappointing first half that saw the visitors take a two goal lead into the break thanks to a Nathan McKeown brace, The Railwaymen dominated the second period but couldn’t add to Ethan Cairns goal just before the hour mark.
Dean Donaldson made two changes to the team that beat Buckie Thistle in Saturday’s shootout, with Thomas Reid and Nathan Meres coming into the team. Locos made a promising start but McKeown opened the scoring in the 11th minute sweeping home Jordan Lynch’s cross.
Having got themselves in front, the Maroons took a firm grip on proceedings. For all Locos possession, they were struggling to create clear opportunities, the closes they came to getting back on level terms was a Callum Duncan free kick that was beaten away by Craig Reid. By contrast, the visitors looked a threat every time they were able to get forward and there was a certain inevitability about their second goal. McKeown got his head to a long ball forward, running onto his own flick before finishing cleverly past Zack Ellis from the edge of the area.
After the break, there was more intensity and precision to Locos play as they looked to turn things around. Jay Halliday headed wide as Locos attacked in waves but Keith maintained a threat on the break, Callum Robertson firing against the bar from 20 yards out. Cairns continued his goalscoring form get Locos right back in the tie, finishing powerfully after Lloyd Robertson had picked him out with a slide rule pass.
Locos sensed an opportunity to level with Paul Coutts pulling the strings. His determined run to the by-line resulted in his ball across the box being deflected onto the bar. Robertson and Jack McKenzie both fired narrowly off target and Reid did well to keep out Ward’s curling effort. By and large though, the keeper was well protected by his team mates and Keith held on to set up a semi-final against Fraserburgh next month.
For Locos, thoughts turn to Saturday’s trip to Banff to take on Deveronvale.
