Keith up for Formartine after double defeat to Banks O' Dee and Brora Rangers
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KEITH manager Craig Ewen said his side’s first-half performance against Brora Rangers on Saturday was as good as any 45 minutes since he took over.
Unfortunately, the second-half showing didn’t match that, as the reigning champions ran out 7-1 victors at Kynoch Park – but the first period can still provide some encouragement.
“We were 2-1 down at half-time, but it should have at least been all square,” Ewen said.
“We played really well, created four decent chances and took one of them. Brora had three chances and took two. The first half was as good as we have played, but second half we couldn’t back it up.
“I’m still trying to figure out if we were really bad in the second half, if Brora were really good or if it was a mixture of both.
“Brora certainly stepped up and we struggled. Individual errors are the biggest issue at the moment.
“We have to regroup quickly as we have another tough game coming up against Formartine.”
The 7-1 defeat to Brora followed a 6-0 cup exit at the hands of Banks O’ Dee on Wednesday night – and things don’t get much easier with the fourth home game within 10 days seeing Formartine visit tomorrow.
Ewen added: “We started well in the Banks O’ Dee game and caused them concern early on.
“But we seem to be losing goals in bunches and then games run away from us. Second half in that game it was damage limitation – it’s a game we have to draw a line under.
“Formartine is a new game and we’ll go in and give it our all.
“There’s no doubt there’s a gulf in the league at the moment, but we’ve got to go in in a positive manner, take things a game at a time and put together a 90-minute performance.”
Saturday sees Keith clash with a team in and around them in the Highland League table when they visit Nairn County.
It’s one that Maroons boss Ewen is aiming to win – although he recognises it won’t be easy.
“Nairn had a big win at the weekend (6-0 vs Turriff) so they’ll be quite buoyant, but our ambition is to go there and win the game,” he added.
“We need to get ourselves ahead in a match and have something to hold onto.
“We are in a transitional period at the moment, but we hope we can pick up some points very soon.
“Recent results haven’t reflected some decent individual performances and we have still got good enough quality.
“Hopefully in the second half of the season we can move up the table.”
The previously suspended Rhys Thomas will be back for tomorrow night’s clash with Formartine United, along with Demilade Yunus, who has been ill.
