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Locos fell to a narrow defeat but were left fuming at decisions made by the referee that had most inside Harlaw Park shaking their heads. Perhaps most significant was a red card shown to Jack McKenzie when he himself appeared to have been fouled. With the game nicely balanced at that point, the extra man helped the visitors find the winner. That decision compounded Locos anger at earlier being denied two penalties.
Zack Ellis returned in goal and there were places on the bench for Kacper Bednarowski and Stewart Gray, who were recalled from loan spells this week.
After a cagey start, the visitors took the lead on 14 minutes when Owen Kinsella fired a low shot from 25 yards that beat Ellis, who was perhaps unsighted. The goal came from nowhere but gave United a boost and they enjoyed a good spell until Locos hit back. Paul Coutts’ free kick wasn’t cleared and the ball fell to Max Foster on the edge of the penalty area who fired home left footed for his first goal for the club.
Locos had the upper hand at this stage and were threatening to take the lead, without testing Cameron Reid in the Turriff goal. Lloyd Robertson wasn’t far off target and it looked like Locos would get an opportunity from the spot. Jay Halliday got a toe to the ball ahead of Glen Donald before being caught by the defender’s despairing lunge. Harlaw Park was stunned when the referee booked Halliday, presumably for simulation. Turriff breathed a huge sigh of relief, and had a little chuckle at their escape, before Donald again went unpunished 10 minutes later as he grabbed a handful of Robert Ward’s shirt and pulled him to the ground.
The second half continued to be tight with few clear sights at goal. Kinsella went close again as his effort came back off the post and Ellis kept out Murray Thomson’s free kick.
With a little under 20 minutes remaining, Locos were reduced to 10 men when McKenzie received a red card that may well be appealed.* McKenzie was running alongside Sam Garnham as he tried to get onto a long ball forward from keeper Reid. Garnham appeared to drag his former teammate to the ground before falling on top of him. Not only did the referee award a free kick to the visitors, he also concluded that McKenzie had denied a goal scoring opportunity despite the fact that the ball never reached the two of them as Josh Buchan headed clear.
Gray went close with a well struck half-volley but Turra made their numerical advantage count 9 minutes from time when substitute Aiden Sopel found space on the left of the box and finished calmly inside the far post. Locos didn’t lose hope and battled to find another equaliser but it wasn’t to be.
This was by no means a vintage performance from the Railwaymen but was certainly an improvement from Saturday and it looked likely they would have something to show for it until they found themselves a man down. The frustration of players, coaches and supporters was evident at the end of the game and it was all directed at one man. This campaign has been a struggle for Locos so far and they will feel that they don’t need additional obstacles put in their way by the officials.
Dean Donaldson and his squad must now put this behind them and focus on Saturday’s trip to Lossiemouth.
*This card was appealed and rescinded
