Kynoch Park, Friendly, 14/7/26
Keith Football Club
Founded – 1910
Nickname -The Maroons
Honours – Highland Football League – 1961/62, 1978/79, 1979/80, 1980/81, 1984/85, 1999/00, 2006/07, Highland League Cup – 1964/65, 1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1988–89, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2012–13. Aberdeenshire Cup – 1935/36, 1957/58, 1959/60, 1966/67, 1973/74, 1977/78, 1979/80, 2008/09. Aberdeenshire Shield – 1997/98, 2001/02, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07. Scottish Qualifying Cup (North) – 1960/61, 1962/63, 1984/85, 2002/03
Good to see Wee Man wanting a game outside today as opposed to watching the World Cup. He has definitely grasped the whole ‘football is not a TV program’ way of life. Even better when he checks the fixtures and picks one of my all time favourite grounds for a visit.
I have written about my love of Kynoch Park in a book, in fanzines and many times on here too. There are not many superlatives left to use. I just love it. Simple as that. The throw back nature of it I feel is what does it for me along with the Sandy Stables Stand. We saw the famed brutalist stand in Galashiels on Saturday, but I place Keith’s grandstand up there too. It’s a brilliant piece of fitba architecture.
After seeing the Dons ‘babies’ last week at Turriff and being impressed by a lot of what was on show. This time a week later it was to be very different, as a huge chunk of that team has been loaned out during the week. I used the term ‘babies’ above as it is Wee Man’s name for them, but it was very appropriate for this team tonight. After grabbing food and taking up position the first thing to note was the youthful look to this Dons team. A couple of the loons looked not much older that Wee Man and not much taller either. I knew straight away my score prediction would be out the window as this was not an experienced side up against men.
The game kicked off in glorious sunshine. But it failed to live up to the weather. Again this was clearly a pre-season friendly like others viewed so far this summer. The Dons were trying to play fitba as that seems to be the mantra. Keith were a bit more direct with ex Turriff United man ‘Kaka’ leading the line. The Maroons were also stronger across the park in a physical sense too. But the youngsters has a go from the start. A few efforts were fired in but trouble free. The Dons had the first big chance when Keith defender Connor Bird was forced to clear off the line. Keith came more into the game with Clark not far away from opening the scoring on the volley. It was the Maroons who took the lead, after some smart play on the right saw a ball across the face, this eluded Clark then Ega but Jordan Cooper was there to smash home from five yards. Before the half was out Keith forced Aberdeen keeper Waldron into a tidy full stretch save off a free kick. Going wide but a good stop none the less.
HT 1 v 0
Half time saw a potential disaster during our kick about as I sclaffed one out of the ground into the thick growth behind the perimeter wall. With a look of horror on the Wee Man’s face I said not to worry, although I had not clue what to do myself as the growth was that spiky and dense. As I thought I saw a flash of yellow, I scaled the wall and had one of those immediate ‘I regret this decision’ type feelings. The wall was at least a foot higher than me. How the hell was I getting out. Adrenaline took over and I somehow hauled myself up and over and somewhat bloody (arms, legs and back) back into Kynoch Park with the yellow ball saved. Disaster avoided.
The second half was much and such the same as the first, the Dons tried to play and Keith defended well and looked quite solid. A second was added when the impressive on the night Lawrence Ega sent a brilliantly placed header over Waldron who was maybe three yards off his line but couldnt jump high enough to reach this looping effort. On Ega I thought he was the best player in maroon. Puts himself about and draws fouls galore, topping off his performance with a goal. One negative from the night, Aberdeen’s infuriating reliance in these shitey short goal kicks. They never pay off as it ends up in A- a punt or B-rapid surrender of possession. Modern football crap that I am sure is designed to infuriate.
A very much pre-season affair in the end but worth the trip across to Moray, as Kynoch Park is always worth popping in past.
Strangely despite the ace weather all night we were faced with some seriously low lying cloud at the Glens of Foundland on the way home. Once we were in the cloud it was almost dark. Like a light switch had been flicked. Really strange occurence.
Entrance – £10-Me. Free-Wee Man
Attendance – 97 (rough head count)
Pie – £9.50, Pie, Coffee, Sausage Roll, Juice
Pint – Didn’t bother
Score Predictions – Me 1 v 1, Wee Man 0 v 1
Season Score Prediction Totals – Me 0 v 0 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 