Watch: Keith thump Strathspey Thistle in Kynoch Park Highland League clash with Kieran Mooney grabbing Maroons' first hat-trick in three years
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Kieran Mooney put bottom of the table Strathspey Thistle to the sword with the first hat-trick scored by a Maroon since Cammy Keith notched a quartet against the same opponents exactly three three years ago, as the home side hit them for six.
Watch highlights on Keith FC TV YouTube channel.
It was also a memorable afternoon for long serving Stewart Hutcheon, currently in his testimonial season, slotting home a penalty for his first goal in exactly four years to the day.
The Maroons got back on the winning trail in style after two disappointing successive defeats, opening the scoring after only 10 minutes, Mooney curling a beauty into the far top corner of the net.
Then two quickfire goals in the space of a couple of minutes effectively ended Jags’ challenge. First, with 26 minutes gone Ryan Robertson was on the spot to prod home from close range, then striker Matty Tough rammed home amidst a ruck of players.
At least another couple of goals could have been netted in the first half with Tom Andrews failing to convert after being one on one with the goalie, then the custodian did well to thwart Mooney with a fine save.
The striker duly added to his tally in the 57th minute, slamming home a low drive from 12 yards.
Barely a minute later Strathspey capitalised on confusion in the middle of the park to grab their one small crumb of comfort through Aiden Cruickshank.
Mooney was a constant danger all afternoon and he nabbed his treble with 65 minutes on the clock thanks to a superb volley from 15 yards for his fifth goal of the season.
The livewire striker was then upended inside the penalty area by Liam Grant with seven minutes remaining and the biggest cheer of the day came when Hutcheon sent the goalie the wrong way with the resultant spot kick.
Following the two reverses at Banff and Lossiemouth, this was the perfect response with the whole team playing well.
Keith: Irvine, Thomas, Yeats (Coull 66), Hutcheon, Robertson, Killoh, Tough (Wilson 77), Brownie, Mooney, Yunus, Andrews (Ironside 75). Subs unused: Grant, Abdulkarim, McKeown, Duncan.
Referee: K Buchanan.
