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Locos secured a second Harlaw Park win in four days, thanks to goals from Mark Souter and Robert Ward. A stunning strike from Lewis Lorimer gave Banks o’ Dee hope as they applied late pressure, but were unable to find an equaliser.
Following Wednesday’s victory over Fraserburgh, Dean Donaldson stuck with the team that played most of that game, with Oliver Green and Taylor Chapman coming in for the injured Josh Buchan and Max Foster.
The opening stages were played out at a high tempo but chances were at a premium. Locos were attacking with purpose, but Ward’s shot straight at Daniel Hoban in the visiting goal was as close as either side came before Souter opened the scoring. Ward’s corner from the left was headed back across goal by Chapman and the skipper was on hand to force the ball over the line from close range.
Locos carried the narrow advantage into half time and will feel it was justified. They had picked up where they left off in midweek, defending resolutely while attacking with pace. The lead was double 6 minutes after the break with a well worked goal. Green played a one-two with Ward before putting in a cross from the byline that Ward glanced in beyond Hoban.
Locos had the wind in their sails now and came close to adding an immediate third as Jack McKenzie picked out Ethan Cairns with a lovely pass. Cairns got to the ball before the onrushing Hoban but his shot went just the wrong side of the post.
The visitors were desperately seeking a way back into the game and Lorimer’s well struck free kick was blocked by Lloyd Robertson. He got his goal shortly afterwards though, hitting an unstoppable shot from 20 yards that went in just under the bar.
The goal invigorated Dee, who spent much of the time remaining in the final third of the pitch, putting Locos under pressure. Lorimer tried his luck again but couldn’t hit the target and Blessing Oluyemi got down smartly to save an effort at his near post. Locos held on though, to cap a fine week at Harlaw Park.
This was another excellent performance from Locos, who kept the visitors quiet until Lorimer’s strike. They had to withstand some pressure after that, but did so well. Donaldson was delighted with his charges once again. “I thought we played really well in the first half. We limited them to very few chances.” he said “We’ve shown a different side to us in these two games that we haven’t seen all season, so I’m really pleased with them”.
Locos travel to Strathspey Thistle next weekend, and will be buoyed by these victories over two very strong opponents.
