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A late Paul Coutts penalty secured Locos’ progress in the Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield. Coutts spot kick – awarded after Cole Anderson was brought down by Timothy Akindileni – settled an end-to-end cup tie in which Anderson had earlier levelled Fraser Mackie’s opener for the young Dons.
Dean Donaldson made just one change from the team that lost at Brechin on Saturday, with Daniel Agnew coming in for Brendan Hamilton, who was unable to play against his parent club. The game also saw the debut of our young Ultras, who made a fantastic contribution to the atmosphere inside a chilly Harlaw Park.
The visitors made a fast start, winning a succession of corners in the opening stages. It was from one of these that they took the lead in the fifth minute, Mackie firing into the roof of the net from close range.
The Railwaymen gradually worked their way into the game and after Jay Halliday’s shot across goal had been saved by Rodrigo Vitols, they drew level on the half hour. Agnew’s cross from the right wasn’t held by Vitols and Anderson was on hand to nod home. Calum Dingwall and Findlay Marshall both tried their luck before the break but their efforts were too high.
The two teams were feeling each other out at the start of the second half but the game sprang into life halfway through the period. Dingwall rose to meet Anderson’s free kick but his header came back off the face of the crossbar. That sparked a rapid counter attack from the Dons, who outnumbered the Locos defence but Cameron Wilson hit the upright with his low effort, with teammates screaming for a pass.
The woodwork came to Locos aid again on 81 minutes as substitute Dylan Ross – son of former Railwayman Craig – saw his effort cannon off the bar. Callum Duncan hit a free kick up and over the wall that didn’t quite dip enough to find the net before Akindileni’s clumsy challenge allowed Coutts to give Locos the lead with just a minute of normal time remaining. There was still time for more drama though as the Dons hit the post again through Marshall.
Dean Donaldson acknowledged that this wasn’t his team’s best performance but also pointed out that they have played far better in recent weeks and come away with nothing. “For the first 25 or 30 minutes I thought we were as poor as we’ve been for a long time. We changed shape and settled into a better rhythm” he said “In the second half they hit the woodwork a few times and they’ll probably be really disappointed, I think they probably shaded it over the game, but we’ve played well over the last four games and not won, so it’s pleasing to not play so well and get the win”.
In cup football though, the result is everything and this win sets up a quarter-final against Formartine United at North Lodge Park next Wednesday. Before that, Locos make the long trip to Caithness to take on Wick Academy as we return to Highland League action.
