The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Black and Golds take bragging rights over rivals Keith
KEITH HUNTLY 1 2
Keith were left wondering how they lost this derby encounter against Huntly at Kynoch Park.
The home side was in control of the match and led at the break through an early Cammy Keith goal only to pay the price for a second half collapse with former Maroons loanee Ross Still hitting a brace to give Huntly all three points. Huntly manager Charlie Charlesworth said: “It was a great relief after losing 6-0 against Forres midweek.
“It was a scrappy first half when we rode our luck but ultimately we came through.
“Once we got levelled we settled and scored a great second goal. We played a lot more in their half after the break and I was pleased with our display.”
The Maroons looked sharp in the early stages and netted after 11 minutes when top scorer Keith punished a Blair Johnston error to round Huntly goalkeeper John Farquhar and slot home his 21st goal of the season.
There was a moment of controversy midway through the half when Huntly defender Michael Clark appeared to handle Cammy Keith’s netbound shot on the line but no penalty was awarded.
Farquhar made a bril- liant save a minute later to tip Andy Smith’s blistering drive over the crossbar.
Having enjoyed the better of first half, the Maroons looked to sew up the game after the break but Keir Smith wasted a good chance to net a second when he fired wide from a promising position.
The hosts were to pay heavily for not scoring again when Still rose to net with a powerful header off a Cameron Booth corner in the 65th minute to level matters. The momentum swung towards Huntly after that, although striker Keith embarked on a run into the box only for Farquhar to dive at his feet to clutch the ball.
Three minutes later Huntly edged in front thanks to a surging move upfield with Still netting with a delicate clip over advancing Keith goalkeeper Regan Stuart.
With three minutes remaining Keith substitute Max Berton was unable to salvage a point for his side when his low drive was cleared off the line by Paul Napier.
Disappointed Keith manager Dean Donaldson, whose side hosts Formartine tomorrow, said: “We should have had a penalty for handball and that was frustrating. We were the better side in the first half and should have been two or three goals up by halftime but we disappeared in the second half.”