The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Keith deliver knockout punch in a nine-goal cup thriller
Rowley disappointed by referee’s ‘inconsistent’ display
Keith came out on top in an action-packed Scottish Cup thriller in which the Maroons were awarded three penalty kicks and Forres Mechanics ended up with 10 men.
The performance of referee Morag Pirie came under intense scrutiny and Forres manager Charlie Rowley pulled no punches when he said: “I was extremely disappointed by Morag Pirie’s inconsistent performance, particularly when she sent Ross Mc Pherson off for deliberate handball on the goal-line. It was a penalty but the ball bounced up off his knee and hit his hand, how could that be deliberate?
“She made three massive decisions in the game. I don’t think two of the penalties should have been awarded and their winning goal came after a blatant handball by Andy Macaskill. The fact that he went on to score from 30 yards made it e ven worse.”
Both sides went into the game without key players, the Can-Cans springing a surprise by fielding veteran Neil Whyte, who officially retired 18 months ago, in his familiar midfield role.
Forres opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Craig Phillips was robbed and the ever- sharp Lee Fraser held off the challenge of visiting captain Stuart Walker to slot past Iain Macleod
On the half-hour the determination of Fraser in the box enabled him to square the ball for Whyte to tap home from close range.
Any thoughts the tie was already over were vanquished in the 38th minute when Zander Jack swung in a deep ball and full back Mark Wood powered home to reduce the leeway.
Forres' Stuart Knight cost his side a goal eight minutes later when he elbowed Calum Dingwall as he came out of goal. The goalkeeper was lucky to escape with just a yellow card before Jonathan Smith converted from the spot.
Forres were deservedly back in front just before half time when Whyte rose to head home and the home side restored its twogoal advantage in the 48th minute with Simon Allan’s superb 30-yard free kick.
The game turned on McPherson’s controversial sending off for deliberate hand-ball on the line, and Smith again converted the spot kick and on the hour Macaskill grabbed the equaliser.
Macaskill went on to net the winner with a great leftfoot strike from 30 yards despite loud home protests he had handled the ball in the build-up. Late on Smith hit the upright with Keith’s third penalty of the afternoon.
A relieved Maroons’ manager Darren Still said: “We were a little bit fortunate. The big turning point was the red card, Forres were 2-0 up at that stage and deservedly so. But there’s character in our squad and we have a great work ethic. Last season we did not show the same resilience.”