Keeper crisis for Keith ahead of cup clash
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
KEITH have a goalkeeping crisis on their hands ahead of Saturday's League Cup quarter-final against Brora Rangers.
Regular number 1 David Dey came off with a shoulder injury in last week's 3-0 league defeat at Brora, and with no back-up on the bench defender Stewart Hutcheon took over the gloves.
Dey has ligament damage and his season could be over, putting manager Dean Donaldson on a desperate hunt for a keeper to replace him.
However Keith are not allowed to sign a player after the scheduled date of the tie, which was last Saturday.
The situation has left Donaldson trying to trace a young keeper on the Maroons books who was recently loaned out to junior side Whitehills.
"It's an absolute nightmare ahead of such a big cup match," Donaldson said.
Related stories: Donaldson is new Keith manager
Should 'Deano' be unable to locate his young rookie, he will be forced to play an outfield player in goal against one of the best sides in the Highland League.
Keith discovered how strong Brora were in last week's league match at Dudgeon Park, which was rescheduled when the cup tie at Keith was postponed.
Dey actually saved a Brora penalty, having conceded an early Scott Graham goal in Sutherland.
He went off before the break because of his injury, and Hutcheon took over and made some good saves.
'Hutchey' was beaten by a Steven MacKay strike early in the second half and a Zander Sutherland goal near the end.
Some good news for boss Donaldson is that Andy Smith has signed an extended deal with the club.
He will come back into the manager's plans for the Brora game. James Brownie and Donnie Fraser have so far rejected a new deal.
Assistant boss Jamie Lennox has also penned a playing contract and will make a comeback during Keith's remaining league games.
