Highland League Roundup 6th August 2011
Academy count the cost of missed chances
Academy paid a heavy price for missing a succession of
chances in their first away match of the 2011/12 campaign as they succumbed to
a 1-0 defeat at Lossiemouth.
At the tail end of last season, the Scorries cruised to a
5-0 win at Grant Park. But it was an altogether different story in Saturday's
game – Academy's 500th in the Highland League – as Lossie sealed victory with a
second-half strike from Ross Archibald.
David Kirkwood's men would have had the points safely
wrapped up long before then had they taken even a fraction of the opportunities
they created. The visitors dominated for long spells but just couldn't find a
way past Lossie keeper Darren McConnachie.
In the first half Gary Weir had a couple of attempts, Sam
Mackay was denied in a one-on-one with McConnachie, and Richard Macadie was
just off target with an audacious overhead kick.
Weir and Stevie Cunningham passed up further chances before
Lossie grabbed the lead with 20 minutes to go. Colin Charlesworth's shot was
parried by James More and Archibald was on hand to turn the loose ball into the
net.
McConnachie pulled off a great save from Macadie, then in
the dying stages Cunningham beat the keeper with a flashing header only to see
it shave the outside of a post.
Today's visitors to Harmsworth
Park, Buckie Thistle, continued their
defence of the title with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Clachnacuddin at Grant
Street Park.
Headed goals by Lewis Mackinnon and Graeme Stewart had the
Jags two up at the break. It got worse for the Lilywhites soon after the
restart when Scott Morrison was red-carded for a reckless challenge.
Mackinnon extended Buckie's lead before Clach pulled back a
consolation goal through Gordon Morrison.
Buckie share top spot with Nairn
County and Inverurie Locos,
the only other sides with maximum points from their opening two fixtures.
County's new recruit Conor Gethins continued his impressive
start to the season with a hat-trick in the 5-1 win against Rothes at Mackessack
Park. David Hind and Robbie
Duncanson got the others for Nairn, with Michael Fletcher pulling one back for
the Speysiders.
Nairn substitute Steven Mackay was sent off for a second
bookable offence.
Locos were 4-1 winners over Strathspey Thistle at Seafield
Park.
After a first-half opener from Craig Ross, Inverurie doubled
their lead through recent signing Scott Begg before Neil Gauld weighed in with
a double. The Grantown Jags got a consolation goal in injury time through
Matuesz Bobrowski.
Second-half goals from Danny Milne (2), Daniel Park and
Martin Johnston gave Cove Rangers a comfortable 4-0 victory over Brora Rangers
at Allan Park. Milne also had a penalty saved by Brora keeper Steve Martin.
There was a similar outcome at Mosset
Park, where Forres Mechanics ran out
4-0 winners against Fort
William following a goalless
first half. Gary Tweedie broke the deadlock on the hour mark, then Ryan Green
came off the bench to net a double either side of a Lee Fraser strike.
Grant Noble struck twice and Mark Chisholm was also on the
scoresheet as Deveronvale racked up a 3-0 victory over Formartine United at North
Lodge Park.
Huntly and Fraserburgh shared the points in a 3-3 draw at
Christie Park.
Allan Hale's first-minute goal for the Broch was all that
separated the teams at half-time. Huntly came storming back with David Booth
helping himself to a hat-trick before a late rally by Fraserburgh brought goals
from Scott Barbour and William West.
Jonathan Smith was another hat-trick hero as Keith romped to
a 5-0 win against Turriff United at Kynoch
Park. Cammy Keith and Derek
Nicol were also on target for the Maroons, while the visitors had Michael
Ralton sent off at the end of the first half.
After the match, Turriff named the former Inverurie defender
Mark Simpson as their new manager.
