(03/10/2015 – PRESS AND JOURNAL HIGHLAND LEAGUE – HARLAW PARK, INVERURIE)
LOSSIEMOUTH recorded their first-ever win at Harlaw Park over INVERURIE LOCO WORKS on a mild day in the heart of Aberdeenshire. A solid showing from the Coasters kept Inverurie at bay until late in the second half, at which point a Kevin Flett penalty inched Lossie in front, and three minutes from time Ross Archibald settled matters with a second goal for the tourists.
The pair went into the game even matched in the table, with Inverurie in eighth place and above Lossie on goal difference, but the hosts had given Lossie a few goings-over at Harlaw Park and most in the crowd expected the home side to use the opportunity to put distance between the sides. The crowd was boosted by the annual Ladies Day, leading to a few suspended and unavailable players showing more eagerness to cart themselves through on the bus to sit in the stand.
Sadly for the guys and gals sat in the stand, there were no goals in the first half to get them on their feet, but the first forty-five minutes tore past and featured chances for both sides. Midway through the half, Andrew Hunter tested Darren McConnachie with a free kick, and the Lossie keeper had to get both hands behind the ball to make sure it sailed over the bar rather than into the net. Locos also made a loud appeal for a penalty as they looked to get their noses in front, but the referee showed no interest in the claim.
HALF TIME – INVERURIE LOCO WORKS 0-0 LOSSIEMOUTH
The second half saw Locos increase the pressure on their guests, with David Ross rattling the crossbar at the social club end. Lossie’s attempt to find a goal while playing down the slope were coming to nothing as Inverurie at least managed the defensive part of their game comfortable, while at the other end Locos continued to misfire while charging forward, with Ross sending a shot wide and Kieran Adams heading over.
Ten minutes from time, Locos were left raging as a penalty was awarded to Lossie for something only the referee laid eyes on. Caring not for the legitimacy of the award, Kevin Flett claimed the ball and stroked the ball into the net via the palms of Inverurie goalkeeper Scott Mathieson. Six minutes later, Lossie sealed their first win at the ground with a second goal. Ross Archibald bore through on goal and chipped the ball over Mathieson who went to ground just a fraction too early.
The delighted travelling support enjoyed the final four minutes taunting what was left of the home crowd, who left the ground in a foul mood, their sense of entitlement burst by a pair of late goals from the visitors. The defeat marked the first time Inverurie had failed to score against Lossie at Harlaw Park, and the defeat left them below Lossie in the table.
Both sides are in action in Moray this midweek, with Lossie hosting Wick Academy while Inveurie travel to Rothes.
FULL TIME – INVERURIE LOCO WORKS 0-2 LOSSIEMOUTH
TEAMS:
INVERURIE LOCO WORKS – Scott Mathieson; Greg Mitchell, John Maitland, Joe McCabe, Kieran Adams, Stephen Jeffrey, David Ross (Michael Selfridge (75)), Neil McLean, Andrew Hunter, Martin Bavidge (Martin Laing (75)), Colin Charlesworth (Scott Begg (62)); UNUSED SUBS – Ryan Keir, Marc Young, Ross Anderson, Kieran McCaffrey
LOSSIEMOUTH – Darren McConnachie; Mark Hector, Ally Bellingham, Chris Ross, Kevin Flett, Connor Macaulay, Scott Gordon (Calum Clark (90)), Scott Miller, Ross Archibald (Bryan Bell (88)), Aaron Hamilton (Tony Ross (64)), Ryan Farquhar; UNUSED SUBS – Euan Mellis, Ryan Taylor, Connor Hall
GOALS:
LOSSIEMOUTH – Kevin Flett (80, pen), Ross Archibald (86)