After last week’s rather unlucky outcome against Turriff United, Locos faced a tricky trip along the A96 to face a Huntly side desperate for their first points.
And more than a little tricky it turned out to be! What transpired was an entertaining game in which Locos’ slightly superior skills were more than matched by Huntly’s spirit and determination.
Their inclusion of former Locos’ players McCulloch and Donaldson provided the experience to support the younger players.
Huntly got the rub of the green with a rather soft early penalty for a Marc Young push in the box. It was a penalty but a similar offence on Locos’ Colin Charlesworth at the other end 60 seconds previously (although outside the area) had gone unpunished.
Substitute Mark Souter’s straight red card late on was also debatable as, although he was trying to recover a poor first touch, I believe he played the ball fairly in the subsequent tackle. It is that lack of consistency which infuriates both players and supporters, although the referee no doubt would have explained it as a matter of interpretation.
Locos controlled periods of the first half with Martin Laing in fine midfield form, in addition to his well-taken goal, but the warning signs were there as Huntly asserted themselves in the ten minutes before the break.
The second period was exciting with play flowing from end-to-end. Huntly’s energy and tactics were impressive as manager Greg Carroll urged his team forward and back as they won and lost possession.
As for Locos – they need to find a solution to their forward play. They are impressive down the flanks, but it all comes to nothing when crosses find no one in the central area. They were guilty of that all afternoon, especially in the second half. The late mistake by Ryan Broadhurst which led to Huntly’s winning goal was unfortunate.
There is perhaps one positive for Locos to take from this defeat. They play Banks o’ Dee in the semi-final of the Aberdeenshire Cup next month.
Dee were impressive in a pre-season friendly at Harlaw Park (a 3-3 draw) and went on to thump Huntly 4-1 at Christie Park in the last round of the cup. Locos will underestimate that team at their peril (even although it is a home tie), if they are to beat the Junior side and afford themselves the opportunity of securing a trophy which they have not won to date. They will have to be at the top of their game!