The last two Inverurie Locos’ games have produced an incredible sense of deja-vu. Yet again, against Formartine United a week ago, we fell behind to the first goal and then conceded the second from a poorly defended free-kick from wide right. An uphill battle thereafter ended in a 3-2 home defeat. The clinching goal from former player Stuart Mackay rubbed salt in the wound.
And this Wednesday at Forres, the Mechanics scored the first goal from a corner kick and, despite the hosts being down to ten men after Graeme Grant was red-carded before half-time, Locos huffed and puffed in the second period. Although Captain Neil McLean scored an equaliser, Locos lost 2-1 to a late winner from Forres substitute Ross Archibald.
It is difficult to identify what’s gone wrong recently. The team is not playing particularly badly and it is defensive lapses which are costing games. Forres looked as ordinary as Locos and Formartine were not particularly impressive – all the more concerning. Co-Managers Scott Buchan and Kenny Coull must be very frustrated because there is some good football being played as well. Young Daniel Crisp had another steady game at centre-half against Forres and, after a long absence through injury, Locos welcomed back Neil Gauld to the forward line in the second-half. He will undoubtedly need a few games to get match-fit.
There’s no doubt that luck plays a part to some extent and Locos have been particularly unlucky with injuries this season. That has not helped to put out a settled team. Luck (or lack of it) does even itself out over time, but Locos are on some run of ill-fortune just now. That sense of deja-vu manifested itself yet again when Andy Hunter fell awkwardly mid-way through the second-half against Forres and was stretchered off. He is not long back from illness and injury and recently has been showing some of his old form. I hope that the young player recovers quickly this time and, fortunately, I understand that his injury may not be as bad as it looked on the night.
Locos have two away fixtures to play, and neither will be easy against Formartine and Fraserburgh. I guess many at the Club will be glad to get those games out of the way and bring this season to a close in order to start re-grouping for 2015/16.