Mark Twain’s oft-quoted “reports of my death are greatly exaggerated” comes to mind following Formartine correspondent Colin Keenan’s comments last week on the recent local derby.
Mr Keenan is absolutely correct that, on the day, Formartine played well and Locos poorly. The 4-0 scoreline was a fair reflection.
To imply, however, that Locos are in some kind of terminal decline is ridiculous. Before he is consumed by his “sadness” over Locos, perhaps he should look closer to home.
Formartine are fortunate to (allegedly) have a financial benefactor who bankrolls the side and they have plundered other clubs, not least Locos, to strengthen their side. This, of course, is a double-edged sword to which Dundee United will testify this season after losing key players to Celtic! Despite this Formartine have won very little since joining the SHFL. Very sad indeed!
Mr Keenan also has a rather selective memory. Locos won the previous two derbies and his assertion that, back in Junior days, the “derbies have always been keenly contested, close-run affairs” is also wide of the mark. He will remember the nine-goal thriller at North Lodge Park in May 1996. Unfortunately for Formartine Locos scored seven of those goals, clinched the League Championship with 52 points, and condemned Formartine to bottom place with only six points. Very sad indeed.
And that brings me on to the Scottish Cup. Locos and Formartine have only played each other once in the national competition. That was two years ago and Mr Keenan was no doubt very sad that day as Locos triumphed 2-0 at North Lodge Park.
On Saturday Locos entertained Annan Athletic, Scottish League 2 leaders, and participated in a wonderful and exciting 4-4 draw, after which the Annan officials were extremely gracious with their positive comments on Locos’ performance and the standard of Highland League football.
Football at Harlaw Park is alive and well and anyone who knows their football recognises that one performance (good or bad) doesn’t reflect the overall picture.
That is why we follow the game. No one at Locos will deny that this is a relatively difficult season, but there was no evidence of any “sadness” at full-time on Saturday. We’ll leave that to Formartine.