29-Aug-2009

A Lossie side ravaged by injury and absent players went down 4-1 to Huntly at Christie Park this weekend, with all the goals coming in the first half. The hosts raced into an early two goal lead before an own goal helped Lossie back into the game, only for the Tigers to score two more before the interval.

Lossie were without Kevin Flett, Scott Matheson and Shawn Scott who were at the wedding of Buckie goalkeeper Kevin Main. Nikki Smith was absent due to work commitments, while Kevin Stuart and Jamie Bagley remained out injured. Huntly were without goalkeeper Ross Bremner due to suspension and fielded Lee Windrum in his place.

Lossie found themselves two goals down in eleven minutes. Michael EWEN found space to shoot from the edge of the penalty area, his shot seemingly deflecting off Craig Donaldson and wrong footing Darren McConnachie in the Lossie goal before curling into the corner of the net. 

Less than a minute later the hosts were two ahead, when an offside-looking David BOOTH lobbed McConnachie with a precise right foot lob.

Former celebrity supporter Andrew Hassan would have been spewing at his old clubs good start, but he’d have enjoyed watching as Lossie were gifted a route back into the game. Half a dozen players leapt for a corner as it was played into the Huntly area, and Martin SKINNER headed the ball into his own net.

The visitors could have been on level terms soon after but Sean McIntosh could only fire a left footed shot into the arms of goalkeeper Windrum. 

Huntly were cutting a shapeless Lossie to pieces with disturbing regularity, and a fast paced move down the wing brought about the hosts third goal. David Booth raced into the box before squaring the ball to Ewen, only for it to deflect into the net off the unfortunate Colin CHARLESWORTH.

Half time – Huntly 4 Lossiemouth 1

The second half brought no goals, but did entertain in spells. Huntly made a double substitution just after the interval, disrupting their game and allowing Lossie to steady the ship slightly.

Both sides tried for more goals, with sub Andrzej Kleczkowski, a strange sight at Christie Park in that he came to the club from Inverurie rather than heading out to Locos, firing wide from the D.

The youngsters in the Lossie team were doing their best to pull another goal back, first Colin Charlesworth shooting wide before Dan Smith forced Windrum into a save. Darren McConnachie was once again on hand to keep the score down, producing saves from Lombardi and then Ewen.

Lossie were offered a clear sight of goal with a set piece just after the hour. John Urquhart took the kick but lofted the ball over the bar. 

The Tigers had the better of the remainder of the game, as sub Brownhill went close before Lombardi drew a fine double save from McConnachie as the Lossie defence looked on.

Lossie now face a Friday night game against Fraserburgh at Grant Park, where the sides have drawn 1-1 for four consecutive years, while Huntly entertain Cove in a Shire Cup semi-final in midweek. 

Full time – Huntly 4 Lossiemouth 1

Teams

Lossiemouth - Darren McConnachie; Tony Ross, John Urquhart, Craig Donaldson, Steven Sim, Martin McMullan, Colin Charlesworth, Scott Stuart, Michael Macgregor, Dan Smith, Sean McIntosh
Huntly - Lee Windrum; Neil Reid, Simon Scott, Martin Skinner, Ross McKenzie, Mark Gray, Stuart Soane, Michele Lombardi, David Booth, Michael Ewen, Greg Dorrat

Lossiemouth -  Jamie Williams (Sean McIntosh, 66), John Ross (Colin Charlesworth, 73), Joe Russell (Michael Macgregor, 86)
Huntly -  Andrzej Kleczkowsk (Mark Gray, 46), Myles Brownhill (Greg Dorrat, 49), Kevin Lonie (Stuart Soane, 61)

Lossiemouth - None
Huntly - None