I must admit Keith haven’t been noted for clean sheets in recent times, so it was doubly good to get the first one of the season at home against Fort William.
The wind probably spoiled the game, but it was a good three points for the Maroons. The Fort game aside we have played three of the genuine title aspirants in recent weeks, and haven’t fared too badly.
We gave Brora a fair game of it recently, and to be quite honest I don’t think they are going to have it all their own way this season. We also had Formartine quaking at the end of the match last Wednesday, and had there been another couple of minutes the game could have finished 4-4.
As far as Keith are concerned we have no money to throw around like confetti, but we have one or two handy youngsters who have come through the ranks, and are now showing their worth. 18-year-old Hamish Ritchie is fast gaining a reputation as a classy passing midfielder, and wee “Turbo” Greg Smith, also 18 years old, has been outstanding of late. Added to that is loanee from Inverurie Locos Sam Pugh, who is still only 17, and he has looked amazingly mature in defence.
We know we won’t be championship challengers, but then we have won the title seven times already in our long and proud history as well as ten league cups.
By the way, it was great to have as guests at the Fort match the son and grandson of a Keith legend Jock Priestly who was player coach when the Maroons became the first Banffshire side to reach the Qualifying Cup final in 1936. His 89-year-old son, also Jock, came up from the Wirral along with his wife Mavis, and his son Bill and his wife Karen and they had a whale of a time. I was even able to show them a six minute cinema clip of the cup final which they found amazing. Now that’s history for you!