Darren wants to get hands on cup
Keith playmaker desperate to get his hands on elusive cup
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DARREN Still believes it is a measure of Keith’s success that so many of his team-mates have won everything with the club, except the Aberdeenshire Cup.
Any player who has been at Kynoch Park since 2003 will have lifted the Highland League championship, Aberdeenshire Shield, League Cup and Qualifying Cup – now replaced by the Challenge Cup.
Much of the attention surrounding tomorrow’s Aberdeenshire Cup final against Huntly has centred on the desire of long-time Keith servants such as Still, Derek Nicol and manager Martin Allan to finally capture the elusive trophy.
But Still points out there are plenty of Keith players who fall into that category.
He said: “Before the semi-final against Buckie, the manager touched on the fact that this is a trophy he wants to win because it would complete his set.
“But that goes for Derek Nicol and I as well, who have been at the club for a while and not managed to win this cup.
“A few of the other guys are the same and even some of the younger players have won every medal but this one.
“We’ve had decent success over the years, so even for the likes of Dean Donaldson and Wayne Mackay, this is probably the only trophy they haven’t won.
“People just mention it with regards to myself and Derek because we have been at the club longer.
“Hopefully we will manage it this season.”
Still says his side have made an inconsistent start to the season, exemplified by a surprise defeat at 10-man Nairn arriving on the back of the superb Aberdeenshire Cup semi-final success at Buckie.
The midfielder believes the Maroons’ stuttering form is down to an inability to convert goalscoring opportunities at key points in matches.
He said: “There is no doubting the possession we’ve had during the course of games, but applying the finishing touch has been a stumbling block at some points in certain matches this season.”
Yet despite that current problem, Still is confident Keith have the firepower to hit the lofty heights they are capable of.
He said: “Gary Nicol has a good goalscoring record throughout his career, so I am hoping he can do the business for us .
“Gary Harris had a great record in the juniors with Turriff last year and he is a young lad who will take a little bit of time to find his feet, but he is certainly capable.”
Keith will be without the injured Wayne Mackay, Phil McCall, Neil Robertson and Jonny Watt. But Kris Niddrie, Sean Keith and John Cheyne are all back in contention.
