Lossie welcomed Keith to Grant Park for the Coasters opening game of 2009. Despite January being beyond the halfway point, a number of frozen pitches have seen Lossie idle on three successive weekends. In that time, Keith have visited Deveronvale and Inverurie Locos and come away with all three points on both occasions, so a stern test was on offer for the home side.

Lossie welcomed Joe Lasley into the squad, and Shawn Scott returned to Grant Park for the first time since signing for the club for the third time. Keith had former Coaster Craig Morrison in their squad, but the goalscorer had to settle for a place on the bench.

The game started at a fast pace. Andy Shearer in the Keith goal handed the first opportunity to Lossie with the goalkeeper fluffing a clearance right to the foot of Scott Matheson. Shearer immediately made amends, saving a tame shot from the former Rangers man.

Keith were eager for all three points in order to keep their title challenge on course, and went close with two headers. Cammy Keith found himself in space in the six yard box but nodded the ball at McConnachie in the Lossie goal, and soon after Dean Donaldson put more power behind the ball but sacrificed accuracy, the ball flying just wide of the post.

Lossie were playing at a fine pace, with Shawn Scott and Jamie Bagley causing Keith problems all over the pitch, and when the home side took the lead, it was no surprise to see those two involved. Bagley curled the ball over the Keith defence, inviting Shearer to the edge of his box to collect. The usually reliable netminder failed to deal with the ball properly and it dropped to the feet of Shawn SCOTT who rifled home from a dozen yards.

The game continued to shift from end to end, and Keith drew level ten minutes later. Stuart WALKER jinked into the box and produced a fine finish over a diving McConnachie, the ball entering the net via the near post.

Half time – Lossiemouth 1 Keith 1

Keith started the second half in the same manner they had finished the first. Dean Donaldson first to press for a second goal, his header crashing off the post with McConnachie beaten.

The visitors were noticeably meaner at the back, with Lossie becoming frustrated at the ease with which Keith seemed to deal with their continued pressure.

Keith went ahead for the first time with a quarter of the game to go, and as scrappy goals go, this was a peach. A cross from the left of the penalty area took a deflection and with both teams players seeming running through treacle to get to the ball, Dean DONALDSON got there first to poke the ball home from two yards in slow motion.

The visitors drew on their experience to close out the game, restricting Lossie to chances from distance, while hoping for Craig Morrison to break quickly on the counter. Neither side had another goal in them, and Keith held on for the points. 

Full time – Lossiemouth 1 Keith 2

Team