It is not often that words fail me, but I just do not know what to say about Locos’ feckless and disappointing performance against Lossiemouth last Saturday.
It was perhaps just “one of those days” when nothing goes right; and perhaps the team had an eye on next week’s 119th Aberdeenshire Cup final against Fraserburgh.
I’ll draw a veil over proceedings in the 2-0 defeat, but before doing so, it would be churlish not to congratulate Lossie on their first, and well deserved, league victory at Harlaw Park.
Charlie Charlesworth is a good manager and he had his side well organised and motivated. It helps to have that fine goalkeeper Darren McConnachie exuding confidence from behind the defence.
From the moment he made a super early stop from Andy Hunter who had waltzed past five defenders, it wasn’t just this Locos’ supporter who started to have concerns. And good goalkeepers attract that wee bit of luck and “Mini” got his when David Ross’s deflected second-half shot hit the bar. Apart from these two moments the Lossie defence coped well with an off-form home attack.
Looking ahead to next Saturday, it is probably a good thing that Locos have another midweek league match at Rothes to help to restore some form and confidence. Although Locos will be glad not to be facing Cove, Formartine or Turriff, the Broch will be very tough cup final opponents.
They have experience in abundance and they play for the black and white jersey. Fraserburgh have won the Aberdeenshire Cup on 9 previous occasions (stretching back to 1910/11) and, as the current cup holders, will not want to relinquish their trophy.
Locos, on the other hand, have yet to add their name to this cup. That in itself should be sufficient incentive and Christie Park has been a good cup venue for them in the past. Locos have the players to win if they play to their potential. If they play as against Lossie, we’ll all be hitting the “sauce”.
What do I think will unfold? Reflecting back to last season’s cracking 0-0 league draw at Harlaw, it has the potential to be a classic cup-tie. Locos won the return match comfortably at Bellslea 3-1, but it was a fighting 10-man Fraserburgh who eliminated Locos from this Cup at the second stage last year.
It is very close to call, but I’ll go for Locos – but it may well take extra-time and even penalties!