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Locos crashed out of the R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup with a disappointing performance at The Haughs. After falling behind early, Locos failed to get going in the first half and conceded a second before the break. For all their dominance in the second half, the Railwaymen couldn’t find the net until the closing stages with Turriff adding a third with the final action of the game.
Dean Donaldson selected the same team that secured a point last week but there was a welcome return for Daniel Agnew and Reuben Skea who were named among the substitutes following injury. The game got off to the worst possible start for Locos as Murray Cormack opened the scoring in the third minute, firing home after Ryan McLean’s shot was blocked. Jay Halliday then drove into the arms of Turra keeper Lee Herbert but for all Locos possession, it was the home side who maintained a greater goal threat.
Murray Thompson fired off target before Zack Ellis saved from McLean and tipped Miller Keir’s follow-up effort onto the post. The second goal came after Locos gave the ball away, allowing Thompson to break into the area from the left before sliding the ball beyond Ellis. Keir and Thompson both missed the target before the break.
Locos set about looking for the early goal they needed in the second half and Herbert saved well from Halliday. Lloyd Robertson’s shot was then deflected behind before Keir fired across goal following a dangerous break. The game was being played largely in the Turriff half now, but the home defence were comfortable for the most part given the strong position they had got themselves into. Reuben Skea did go close, hitting a first time shot just the wrong side of the upright after Herbert had rashly rushed out from his goal.
Just a few minutes from the end, Bradley Chikomo gave Locos a lifeline, finishing after a bit of a scramble following a free kick into the box. For the first time in the game, it looked possible that the Railwaymen might be able to force another penalty shootout but Timi Fatona’s goal deep into injury time sealed Turriff’s place in the semi-final.
This was a disappointing afternoon. With a place in the last four at stake, Locos lost too many individual battles. Dean Donaldson won’t be happy as that’s an issue he’s mentioned before and will be demanding an improvement at Huntly next week.
