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Goals from Ethan Cairns, Taylor Chapman and Josh Bolton secured victory for Locos at The Haughs. The hosts briefly threatened a comeback in the second half but over the piece The Railwaymen were good value for their win.
Dean Donaldson was able to name an unchanged team again as he is finally getting the stability he has been seeking all season. Turriff came close to opening the scoring when a shot came back off the upright and into the arms of Blessing Oluyemi. Locos soon emerged as the dominant attacking force though, playing some good football into the bargain. There were few complaints from United when the referee pointed to the spot after Cairns had been brought down. He took the kick himself and made no mistake.
Locos continued to probe and were rewarded with a second goal six minutes before the break. Chapman rose highest to meet Robert Ward’s corner, sending his header back past Cameron Reid in the home goal. The Railwaymen started the second half looking to kill the game off. Ward’s dipping effort from 25 yards hit the crossbar before Jack McKenzie also struck the woodwork, his shot on the turn coming back off the post.
The home side worked their way into the game though, and hit back through Murray Thompson’s well placed shot just after the hour mark. Turra then enjoyed their best spell of the game as Oluyemi had to deal with several balls into the box to keep the lead intact. Locos managed to regain some control though and Bolton’s injury time strike, a fine finish after good work between Aberdeen loanees Oliver Green and Bradley Chikomo, avoided a nervy final few moments.
There was a lot of noise ahead of what was – on paper at least – a regular end of season fixture, due largely to the exchange of coaching staff between the clubs in recent years. Once the football started though, it was Locos who hit the right note, controlling proceedings for long periods of the game.
Dean Donaldson was pleased with this performance and will no doubt be delighted with the way his players saw the game out after the hosts got themselves back into it. Deveronvale visit Harlaw Park on Saturday for the final game of the season.
