15-Aug-2009

Lossie were without Scott Matheson and Martin McMullan through work commitments, and Kevin Stuart remained out through injury. Despite a number of summer departures, Locos still fielded a strong side, with fans favourites Tommy Wilson, Richie Singer and Neil McLean all in action. The Harlaw side still found time to lose another player since their win at Strathspey the previous weekend, with Graeme Stewart departing for the big time at Buckie Thistle.

The visitors surprised the quiet home support by creating the better of the opening chances. Shawn Scott should have done better with a shot in the first minute from the edge of the area, and Tony Ross failed to take advantage of nervous defending from Andy Reid, who recovered from a poor clearance to block the follow up shot. 

Locos took a while to get into gear, and when they finally managed an effort on target they found Darren McConnachie in inspired form once again. Neil Gauld was the first to be frustrated by the energetic keeper, who followed up with a double save from Gauld and Richie Singer on the half hour.

Both sides had chances in the closing minutes of the half. McConnachie was again on hand to stop Locos going into the lead with a save from Gauld, and at the other end Nikki Smith shot from edge of the penalty area to force Reid into a flying save to push the ball round the post.

Half time – Inverurie Locos 0 Lossiemouth 0

All the good work done in the first half was wasted minutes into the second. Richie Singer provided a pass to an unmarked Mark SMITH who rifled home from the edge of the penalty area to put the home side in front. After defending resolutely for so long, it was a crushing blow to ship a cheap goal so early in the half, and Lossie were not to recover.

Familiar with leading at Harlaw against Lossie, Locos upped a gear and began to cut through Lossie with a fluency that had been missing in the first half. It wasn’t long before a second goal appeared, and the hosts doubled their lead just after the hour. Neil McLean set up Richie SINGER for a strike; McConnachie could only parry the ball and Singer followed up to secure the points.

Chances for the visitors were fewer in number from that point on, with Tony Ross getting a clear sight of goal only to fire wide under pressure from Mark Smith. The Locos defence was standing a little taller as the game drew to a close, winning every high ball to leave Lossie frustrated.

Locos added insult to injury with a quarter of an hour remaining by bagging a third goal. A free kick award on the edge of the area was eyed up by several players, but Neil GAULD stepped up curl the ball towards the far post and finally get the ball past McConnachie.

The third goal finished the game, with Locos putting their feet up for the remainder of the afternoon, while Lossie faded out ahead of the final whistle. A second 3-0 win in a row for Locos puts them nearer the top of the pile, while Lossie will look to the forthcoming home game against Clach as an opportunity for a point or three.

Full time – Inverurie Locos 3 Lossiemouth 0

Teams

Lossiemouth - Darren McConnachie; Steven Sim, Kevin Flett, John Urquhart, Sam Milton, Craig Donaldson, Tony Ross, Dan Smith, Shawn Scott, Nikki Smith, Jordan Main
Inverurie Locos - Andy Reid; Steven Park, Michael Morrison, Tommy Wilson, David Merriman, Mark Smith, Richie Singer, Craig Ross, Bruce Cormie, Neil Gauld, Neil McLean

Lossiemouth - Gary McNichol (Jordan Main, 63), Michael Smith (Dan Smith, 68), Sean McIntosh (Shawn Scott, 70)
Inverurie Locos - James Brownie (Tommy Wilson, 18), Scott Buchan (Mark Smith, 72), Ardevan Djahansovzi (Bruce Cormie, 75)

Lossiemouth - None
Inverurie Locos - None