WITH a number of first team players on the injury list, Inverurie Locos called up three local players who had been on loan into their 16 man squad and debutant Jack Strachan was one who caught the eye up front helping his team to a sixth successive w
in.
Locos went behind but were to dominate the rest of the half and go in at the interval with a three goal advantage. Neil Gauld was off target a few times in the first ten minutes but then there was a shock as against the run of play the Lilywhites took the lead.
A counter attacking move saw Stuart Leslie draw Andy Reid out of his goal before crossing the ball to Mark Kennedy, who flicked the ball into an open net in 13 minutes.
The celebrations were not to last long, as less than two minutes later, an inch perfect Richie Singer cross found Craig Ross at the back post to equalise, as the Inverurie born midfielder forced the ball over the line.
Clach went straight back up to the Locos end, earning a corner. Kevin Fraser proved the ball for Kennedy to attempt another flick at goal, which brought out a fantastic save from Andy Reid.
To finish off the five minutes of non-stop action, the Locos added another to their tally, as Richie Singer once again produced another brilliant cross to find another local lad, Andy Bisset in the perfect position to score, with only 17 minutes on the clock.
A few half chances came and went for Locos with Jack Strachan and Neil Gauld both coming close, before Locos punished poor set-piece defending from Clach with two goals late in the half.
The first came from a Scott Buchan free kick deep in the home half which was dangerously flicked up into the air, before Craig Ross in was perfect position to head the ball into the net. Five minutes before the break, Andy Bisset was the man to play the ball into the box from a free kick, where Neil Gauld finally got the goal he deserved.
The second half began with Locos looking to go four clear after Neil Gauld was cynically fouled by Finnis just inside the box, with Scott Buchan stepping up only to see his penalty saved.
Poor defending from the Locos allowed Michael Finnis to get his head on an Adam Naismith corner for what seemed like a consolation.
As Clach built momentum, only a rare Tommy Wilson effort hitting the crossbar threatened their goal, however, the spirited comeback was to take a major blow when substitute David Mathieson was booked twice in a minute for dissent, with Mathieson being sent off having been on the pitch for 14 minutes.
Gordon Morrison brought out a fine near post save from Andy Reid, and in the final minutes of the game was to prove to be the most exciting of the match as a long lofted ball from the midfield was poorly defended in the Locos box, Gordon Morrison and Scott Buchan all attempted to get something on the ball, with the final touch appearing to come off Morrison.
Clach strived to get a late, late equaliser, however, it was not to be as the Locos ran out the clock.
Inverurie Locos: Reid, Davidson (Michie 81), Buchan, Wilson, Merriman, Morrison (Mess 46), Singer, Ross, Gauld, Strachan (Steven Craib 58), Bisset. Subs not used: Broadhurst, Bonarius
Clachnacuddin Hastie, Smith (Pollock 67), MacCuish, Macdonald, Finnis, MacAskill, Naismith, Leslie, Morrison, Fraser (Matheson 56), Kennedy (Lawrie 84). Subs not used: Moir, Aitchison.
Boss Dave Cormie had been happy with events up to Clach's second goal but in the circumstances he was happy to accept the three points.
He said: "It was disappointing to see the game ending up the way it did for us just winning so narrowly after the first half had been so pleasing.
"But in the lead up it was all about piecing together a team and I have to say I'm delighted with young Jack Strachan who came on for his debut, while young Jamie Michie came on in the latter stages at right back and that extra experience will stand him in good stead for the future."
He added: "I have to say we recovered so well from going behind early to get to 4-1 but it could have been seven or eight such was our dominance. However we got a penalty and Scott Buchan missed it, and for some unknown reason, we went deeper and that invited Clach to come at us.
"We made a couple of blunders in defence which I think can be explained by both Steven Park and big Mo Morrison being off the park because I don't believe we'd have conceded that type of goal with one or both on the field.
"Clach are a good side, and when they went down to ten men, they grew in stature but I'm just delighted we came through to collect the full points. Big Mo was not 100% but wanted to see how the injury would affect him. He was still feeling it which is why Roddy Mess replaced him at the break."
Meanwhile, Locos added to their squad ahead of the game by bringing in former Huntly and Formartine United midfielder Steven Craib from Banks O'Dee. Craib has penned a three-year contract at Harlaw Park.
The ex-Colony Boys Club player joins his brother Stuart on the books at Inverurie and is a player who has worked with boss Dave Cormie at two previous clubs prior to his time with Banks O'Dee. Craib had been a key part of the Dee side and won their star man award in their Morrison Motors Aberdeenshire Shield defeat to Fraserburgh last month.
Cormie said: "Steven Craib has been signed up from double junior championship winning side Banks O'Dee and the deal would have happened injury situation or not.
"Steven is 21 years old and an Inverurie lad. He is a player I know well having worked with him at Formartine and Huntly before he joined Banks O'Dee. He is a skilful midfield player who I believe can be a big success at Harlaw.
"He has penned a three-year contract which shows his commitment and indeed ours is long term. Who knows, with the way the injuries are at the moment, he is likely to get a chance to show what he can do against Clach."
Cormie has moved to recall three of the clubs younger players from loan spells in the junior ranks. Jamie Michie and Kevin Bonarius come back from FC Stoneywood and have featured in first team action before for the Locos while Jack Strachan returns from Banks O'Dee.
"All three of these player have, in my opinion, good futures ahead of them at this level and with them all being local loons, it will give us the chance to see what is coming through from our youth set up," added Cormie.
