Lossie once again suffered defeat at Harlaw Park as Inverurie scored twice in each half in the process of securing a workmanlike but effective 4-0 victory in the Scot-Ads Highland League. Phil McKibben and Kenny Coull handed the wind-assisted homesters the advantage going into the interval, and Craig Ross struck twice late on to ensure the second half spent running up the slope was a profitable one.

High winds and low temperatures met the sides as they took to the park, with Inverurie looking to get over their utter humiliation at the hands of Rothes the previous weekend, but both teams got into the swing of things early as the game chugged from end to end.

Plenty of pace and effort was on display but neither team looked particularly sharp up front, and a set piece was required to get a shot on target. Lossie were awarded a free kick after a Tommy Wilson foul outside the box but Locos keeper Mike Smith was equal to a curling effort from Marc Whyte.

The home side eventually found a way through the solid looking Lossie defence on the half hour, when Phil MCKIBBEN headed home a cross from the previous weekends man of the match in the clubs destruction by Rothes, a certain Craig Ross. Once again Lossie managed to defend well against supposedly superior opposition only to concede a soft one to a corner.

Just as the visitors were planning on holding out against the wind until half time, Locos poached a second. Yet another fine save from McConnachie denied Ross from close range but Kenny COULL was standing waiting at the back post to double the home sides advantage.

Moments later, the dark side of Locos reared its ugly head as Danny Milne flung himself to the deck in a bid to win a penalty from Gary Youngson. Not only was the dive of hilarious quality, but Milne then went on to complain about the decision. As he continued grumbling, Lossie almost pulled one back but Marc Whytes delicate chip bounced on the crossbar and out of play.

Half time – Inverurie Locos 2 Lossiemouth 0

The second half rolled into action just as the wind dropped, much to the despair of Lossie who had hoped for the conditions would even things up.

Not much was happening. Locos didn’t fancy getting out of first gear to defend their lead and Lossie were struggling to force solid chances, with Kyle Stewart finding things hard going against a big defence.

Lossies best chance of the half came with fifteen minutes left, when a clever dummy by Steven Rattray allowed Kyle Stewarts cross through to Middleton, but his shot curled wide by a foot.

Locos finished the game with ten minutes left when Danny Milne stayed on his feet long enough to cross for Craig ROSS to head home, banishing his personal memory of being voted his teams best player in a 5-1 defeat in Locos previous outing.

Three was just about fair given Locos percentage of possession and domination of the game, but they nicked a fourth right on full time. ROSS took advantage of some non-existent marking to drill home from a dozen yards to seal victory.

Full time – Inverurie Locos 4 Lossiemouth 0

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