The conditions were clearly not to the liking of the locals, as the sides trotted onto the pitch and were met by an attendance generously described as a gathering. It would appear being champions is no
guarantee of being popular. 

It took Keith until just after half an hour to open the scoring, and how easy it was. After spending the game defending soundly, Lossie allowed Martin WOOD to waltz his way past four players and the chance to shoot from 18 yards, and shoot he did, leaving McConnachie with no chance. As conceded goals go, and theres been plenty to choose from recently, theres been few softer than that. 
 
With the game approaching the interval and Lossie only a goal down, the game was in the balance, with Keith struggling to make the most of their possession and Lossie defending well. Unfortunately, a moments lapse in
concentration allowed Keith to move further ahead. With Lossie slow to set up their wall at a free kick, Graham Lonie spotted an opportunity and took the set-piece quickly, landing the ball on the head of Derek SMITH who nodded home unmarked at the near post. 

Half time – Keith 2 Lossiemouth 0

The second half commenced with the wind still blowing, but this time it was in Lossies favour. With the hosts struggling to cope, Lossie pressed forward and kept Keith penned inside their own half for long spells. Any attempts by Shearer to hoof the ball long were rebuffed by the wind and the ball rarely got as far forward as the half way line. Lossie won corner after corner, with Keith fumbling each attempt to clear. 

However, Keith aren't champions for nothing. After keeping Lossie at bay for the best part of twenty minutes, they stole up the park and killed the game with the third goal of the night. A clumsy challenge in the box on Michael Fyfe offered Dean DONALDSON the chance to shoot from penalty spot and he sneaked the ball past McConnachie, who had
guessed right but just failed to reach the ball. 

With the game petering out, Keith added a fourth through a DONALDSON header. The hard luck story for Lossie continued when Kyle Stewart found himself wide open with only Shearer to beat, but the youngster could only watch in despair as his shot rolled under the keeper but struck the post and bounced clear.
 
As the game edged into added time, Lossie achieved something for their efforts and got a goal back through Kynoch Parks biggest fan, Kyle STEWART, who sprung Keiths offside trap to race clear and fire past Shearer. The visitors deserved at least a goal on the night and, once it was scored, the referee blew for time.

Lossie now face the potential champions Cove Rangers at Grant Park on Saturday, as March continues to lay down stiff challenges at the feet of the Coasters. With Cove having lost in Lossie twice in the past three years, things might not be as predictable as most think.

Full time – Keith 4 Lossiemouth 1

Team