It’s turning out to be a wretched end to the 2014/15 season for Inverurie Loco. Works following two consecutive home defeats in the past four days to Turriff United 3-1 and Buckie Thistle 2-1.
The season seems to have ground to a premature halt after the early exit from the Highland League Cup. Locos are struggling to record a win over top-half opposition and, for some reason, they are currently playing better football away from Harlaw Park.
I feel the root of the problem lies with the defence. That is borne out by the statistics with Locos having scored only three goals less than Turriff United (despite chronic injury problems up front), but having conceded 43 goals to Turriff’s 29. In fact, of the top eight teams only Formartine United have conceded more to date. More often than not, we lose the first goal and are chasing the game.
One glaring problem is the defending of free-kicks. Every time we concede around the penalty box, I get that sinking feeling. And so it proved yet again when Buckie’s Andy Low (well-known down Harlaw way!) played a clever ball into an unmarked Kevin Fraser who calmly slotted it past Andy Reid. It was a good goal, but it was a move which should have been defended.
In fairness to Locos it wasn’t all negative against Buckie who certainly appear rejuvenated under Graeme Stewart. In the second-half the team made a go of it and there were one or two good sweeping moves. The ball didn’t run for the forwards in Buckie’s area and when Jamie Michie’s driving run in the area resulted in a grand shot which came off the underside of the bar, I think everyone knew it just wasn’t going to be Locos’ day. John Maitland’s cracker deep into stoppage time came too late for a fightback.
I said a couple of weeks ago that I was looking forward to the annual trek to Fort William. That match is re-arranged for next Saturday and with The Fort’s continuing improved form, including Saturday’s 3-2 win over Wick Academy, it’s set to be an interesting match. Locos will need to show their good away form if they’re to take anything back from Lochaber.