“Hallelujah” – said Keith manager Gordon Winton, after he finally saw his team win a home game. I don’t know if he was praising the Lord or not, after all the club now has it’s own chaplain!
However, it was mainly down to his team’s performance in the derby game with Huntly that saw the Maroons win at home for the first time since 6 September last year.
Both sides are sitting nearer the bottom of the league than the top, changed days at the moment for both clubs, with 14 league titles between them, but that is where they are just now. It wasn’t the best of games, well the first half was really scrappy, but the second half exploded into life. Balloch Road fans were in dreamland as their team raced into a three goal lead after grabbing a scrambled goal just before the half-time cuppa.
There was no scramble about their other two goals, both well worked goals with excellent finishes. Looking home and dry, suddenly the Black and Golds struck twice to put the fat into the fire, but the Maroons responded to defend well and maintain the lead for a rare three points that saw them leapfrog Huntly and Lossiemouth in the league table.
I thought it was a good overall team performance, and latest recruit Michael Dunn, from Rothes, looks a handy signing, he seemed to fit in right away at the heart of the defence with Grant Mitchell. A change of position for defender Bruce Milne is also bearing fruit. He was moved further upfield for the game at Cove and played well, but on Saturday against the Strathbogie men he was outstanding in the middle, perhaps he has found a new position.
It’s been a tough few months for Keith fans, but there is a glimmer of better days to come with one or two experienced campaigners coming in and the youngsters gaining in experience and confidence – the win will have done wonders for dressing room morale, it was certainly good to see supporters trooping out of Kynoch Park with smiles on their faces – a rare occurrence this season.