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There was opening-day disappointment as Locos were well beaten by Turriff United at The Haughs. 2 goals in 3 first half minutes put the home side in control at half-time and a third shortly after the break put the game beyond the Railwaymen. Garry Wood pulled a goal back to briefly offer Locos some hope but it was the hosts who found the net once more.
Andy Low handed a competitive debut to Dem Yunus while fellow new signings Zack Ellis and Glen Donald were named among the substitutes. The game started quietly with little goalmouth action in the opening stages. Max Foster produced a well timed challenge to prevent Yunus getting a shot away as he surged into the box before a frantic spell that saw Turriff take firm control of the game. Shortly before the half hour mark, Neil Gauld got on the end of a cross from the left to head home from close range. Locos then had a chance to hit straight back as Sam Robertson did well to work himself into the penalty area on the right hand side but, with teammates arriving, his cut back was blocked. Turriff took full advantage as John Allen then finished off a swift move forward. Even with almost an hour to play it felt a long way back for Locos.
Right on half-time Calum Dingwall went close with a drive from the edge of the box but David Dey had enjoyed a quiet half in goal for the hosts. 6 minutes after the break, Gauld had is second of the game. Reid had already had to be alert with Gauld looking to pounce as a shot bounced of the keeper’s body but, was powerless as the former Loco’s striker was on hand to tap home after Allan’s curling shot had hit the post. Just a couple of minutes later, Reid denied his former teammate a hattrick, saving Gauld’s penalty kick low to his left after he himself had brought Gauld down as the striker rounded him.
That reprieve meant there was still a glimmer of hope for Locos and Wood’s header from a Dingwall corner increased that hope. Wood almost followed that goal immediately with another from a Dingwall corner, this time controlling the ball beyond the far post before firing over. Dey then produced and excellent save to tip Dingwall’s deflected effort onto the woodwork.
As Locos pushed for more Turriff also continued to create opportunities, Reid saving comfortably from Murray Cormack before Andrew Watt struck a shot over the crossbar. The did eventually get a fourth goal, Ewan Clark capitalising on a mix up between Reid and Donald – on for his Locos debut – to tap home.
This was a result, and performance, that Locos will want to put behind them and Andy Low will certainly be looking for a reaction when Fraserburgh visit Harlaw Park next week.
