Lossie suffered the narrowest of defeats at Harlaw Park on the opening day of the 2011-12 Scot-Ads Highland League season, as a Neil Gauld goal proved enough for Inverurie Locos to claim all three points. The Coasters more than matched their opposition all over the park and were left to rue a number of chances that could have secured a point late in the game.

The visitors made a number of changes following the midweek defeat to Rothes. Martin McMullan returned to the starting line-up, while Kevin Grant and Craig Morrison also started. Locos started with reserve goalkeeper Daniel Bell in for the suspended Andy Reid, while fan favourites Tommy Wilson and Neil McLean were absent due to injury and holidays respectively.

Locos set a pattern for the game in the first minute when Bell thumped a goal kick downfield to Gauld. The striker took the ball in his stride and shaped to shoot but was foiled by an alert defence. Marc Young returned during the summer from Formartine and showed he'd lost none of his pace when he sprinted onto a Pat Vigurs pass and fired a powerful shot across goal, only to be foiled by McConnachie.

Lossie had contained Locos well and on a rare foray upfield the Coasters came close to taking the lead. Tony Ross curled a teasing cross into the penalty area where it was met by Martin McMullan, but the midfielders powerful header went just wide of the target.

Locos continued to press for the opener, with Gauld and Young at the centre of every Locos attack. McConnachie again saved from Young, before the Locos man set up Craig Ross for a headed chance which he sent wide of goal.

The hosts were denied the lead until just before the break. From outside the area, John Maitland thundered a strike towards goal which McConnachie could only parry into the air, and Neil GAULD reacted first to send the ball home from a dozen yards.

Half time - Inverurie Locos 1 Lossiemouth 0

Locos looked to extend their lead in the second half and went close on a number of occasions, but Lossies defence held firm to the disappointment of the home support. Despite the close attention of Bryan Bell, Gauld went closest to doubling his sides lead with a snap shot which McConnachie palmed away from goal.

Lossie made changes in midfield and up front, and for the final third of the game looked the more likely to score. Ironically given their style of play, Locos could not deal with high balls over the top of the defence and looked far from the confident side seen in the first half.

Martin McMullan had the best of Lossies chances to equalise, first drawing a fine save from Bell with a strike the keeper did well to hold. Later, McMullan went close with his head again, nodding a cross against the bar which came down just in front of goal and caused panic in the Locos defence.

Gauld continued to press for a second goal until the end of the game, but found himself foiled by a composed Lossie defence. The strikers first half goal proved enough, however, and Lossie face consecutive home games against North opposition as they look to get their title challenge up and running.

Full time - Inverurie Locos 1 Lossiemouth 0

Teams

Lossiemouth - Darren McConnachie; Tony Ross, Stephen McKenzie, Bryan Bell, Kevin Stuart, Martin McMullan, Colin Charlesworth, Kevin Flett, Ross Archibald, Craig Morrison, Kevin Grant
Inverurie Locos - Daniel Bell; Keith Thomson, Simon Scott, Pat Vigurs, Steven Park, Ryan Broadhurst, Craig Ross, Scott Begg, Neil Gauld, Marc Young, John Maitland

Lossiemouth - David Wilson (Ross Archibald, 63), Grant Milne (Colin Charlesworth, 67), Nikki Smith (Craig Morrison, 70)
Inverurie Locos - Kevin Neish (Craig Ross)

Lossiemouth - Jamie Bagley, Michael Miele
Inverurie Locos - Ross Crosby, Kenny Coull, Richard Strachan, Scott McIntosh

Lossiemouth - None
Inverurie Locos - Neil Gauld (43)

Lossiemouth - None
Inverurie Locos - None

Referee

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