Brora Rangers beat Keith 6-1 at Dudgeon Park to reach the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup final.
The tie had been postponed twice but was played in blustery and rainy conditions as the Cattachs came from behind to secure a final meeting against Fraserburgh.
James Brownie gave the Maroons the lead before braces from Jordan MacRae and Max Ewan and counters from Paul Brindle and James Wallace earned the home side victory and the chance to try to win the Highland League Cup for the third time in their history.
For Keith the wait for a first final since winning this tournament in 2013 goes on.
Early openings
The Cattachs dominated possession in the early exchanges, but it was the Maroons that took the lead in the 13th minute.
Ryan Robertson’s ball in behind the home defence brought goalkeeper Logan Ross out of his box to clear, but he sent the ball straight to James Brownie who fired into the unguarded net from 35 yards.
However, it was only five minutes before Brora restored parity. Tom Kelly’s pass released Jordan MacRae on the right, he skipped round goalkeeper Connor MacLeod, who had come off his line, and finished from a tight angle.
Midway through the first period MacLeod held a curling effort from Paul Brindle. At the other Michael Ironside’s flick from Connor Killoh’s left-wing free-kick was deflected just wide.
Keith midfielder Jordan Cooper then fired straight at Ross before Brora took the lead on 28 minutes.
Another pass from Kelly on the right found MacRae in between centre-halves Adam Morrison and Lewis Coull before the striker threaded a fine finish past MacLeod at his near post.
A couple of minutes shy of the interval Brora could have netted a third. Brindle and MacRae played an excellent one-two, but MacLeod made a good save to deny Brindle.
Next goal key
Coming out for the second half the next goal was always likely to have a big bearing on the tie and six minutes after the restart Brora got it.
Kelly’s cross from the right found its way through to Brindle and although MacLeod blocked his initial effort, Brindle reacted quickly to flick the loose ball into the net.
In the 58th minute the Cattachs sealed their place in the final by making it 4-1. Max Ewan linked with Andrew Macrae on the right before slotting home from 12 yards.
Seconds later Martin Maclean played MacRae in, but MacLeod saved with his right foot to deny the striker a hat-trick.
On the hour mark the home side made it five when Maclean’s header released Ewan in behind the Keith backline and he made no mistake.
The Cattachs still weren’t finished and substitute Wallace found the bottom right corner with a finish from just inside the box to make it six after 78 minutes.
League fixtures
There were two games in the Breedon Highland League with Fraserburgh beating Turriff United 3-0 at Bellslea thanks to goals from Sean Butcher, Aidan Sopel and Jamie Beagrie.
Banks o’ Dee defeated Inverurie Locos 2-0 at Harlaw Park in Dean Donaldson’s first game as Railwaymen boss.
Lachie MacLeod got the opener for Dee, who had Garry Wood sent off at the end of the first half, before new signing Dayshonne Golding netted a late second.
