Highland League round-up – Saturday September 3rd
Deveronvale staged a smash-and-grab act at Harmsworth
Park as they came from
behind to win 2-1 on another day of frustration for Academy.
Not for the first time this season, the Scorries created
enough chances to win with something to spare only to let the opposition off
the hook and end up empty-handed.
Academy had the upper hand in the first half without being
able to find a way past James Blanchard in the Vale goal. David Allan fired
over the top when put through by a superb ball from Richard Macadie, Sam Mackay
had a low effort stopped by the keeper's legs, and Blanchard again had to be
alert to punch over a thunderous long-range shot from Martin Gunn.
The visitors did look dangerous on the break, though, and
they struck James More's crossbar twice during that goalless first half.
Academy made the breakthrough on 55 minutes when Allan raced
clear up the right and squared the ball for Mackay to bundle it home from close
range.
Vale got themselves level 11 minutes later when the ball
broke for Chris Blackhall inside the box and he slammed it past More into the
corner of the net.
Further chances came and went for the Scorries before Graeme
Rodger sealed all three points for Vale with a tremendous long-range strike in
the 88th minute.
Academy's match against Deveronvale was one of only two
Highland League fixtures that went ahead on Saturday due to Scotland's
televised Euro 2012 qualifying tie. Cove Rangers and Nairn
County fought out a 1-1 draw
at Allan Park, with Steven Mackay's opener for Nairn being cancelled out by
Danny Milne before the break.
Brora Rangers picked up their first victory of the season on
Friday night as they beat Fort William
4-1 in an eventful game at Dudgeon
Park in which three players
were sent off.
Fort
William were reduced to 10
men midway through the first half when Michael Ellis was red-carded for a
reckless challenge.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors just after
the half-hour mark when their trialist keeper was given his marching orders
after bringing down Liam Baxter.
Graham Bamber took over between the posts but he couldn't
prevent Baxter opening the scoring from the spot.
Baxter doubled his tally 10 minutes into the second half.
Fort's Sean Ellis soon pulled one back with a free kick, but a Kyle Maclean
header restored Brora's two-goal cushion and Alex Macleod rounded off the scoring.
Referee David Watt produced his red card for the third time
when Brora's Mark Smith committed a second bookable offence late on.
Buckie Thistle tightened their grip on top spot with a 4-0
home victory over Fraserburgh, who had gone into the match with the league's
only unbeaten record.
The Jags were two up at half-time courtesy of Lewis
Mackinnon and Neil Davidson, with Zander Sutherland adding a double after the
break. Sutherland's first was from the penalty spot after Bryan Hay had been
sent off for handball on the line.
Forres Mechanics moved up to second place after a 1-0 win
against Lossiemouth at Mosset
Park. Nathan Sharp's early
goal proved to be enough for the Can-Cans, for whom Kevin Duguid was sent off
early in the second half.
Cammy Keith struck twice in Keith's 3-1 home victory over
Rothes. His double came after Dean Donaldson's early opener had been cancelled
out by Michael Fletcher.
Late goals by Stuart Soane and Barrie Stephen secured a 2-1
win for Formartine United against Inverurie Locos, who had opened the scoring
through Craig Ross.
Turriff United thumped Clach 4-1 at Grant
Street Park.
Turriff's goals came from Jerry O'Driscoll, Dave MacKenzie, Gary Harris and
Mark Cowie (penalty) with Gordon Morrison replying for Clach, who had Struan
Scott-Woodhouse sent off in the closing stages.
Huntly were 2-0 winners over Strathspey Thistle at Christie
Park, with new signing Barry Somers scoring a debut goal. Michael Fyfe got the
other.
