Highland League round-up – Saturday October 15th
Academy were left feeling aggrieved over a controversial refereeing
decision as they slipped to another narrow defeat, this time going down 2-1 to
Forres Mechanics at Mosset Park.
Home keeper Stuart Knight was fortunate to stay on the park
after an incident midway through the first half while the Can-Cans were a goal
up.
Stevie Cunningham was sent clear on goal 30 yards out and
his attempted lob over the advancing Knight looked net-bound until the keeper –
well outside his box – raised his hands to parry the ball away.
Referee Douglas Ross awarded a free kick to the Scorries but
was content to show only a yellow card to Knight – much to the disgust of the
Wick camp.
Forres had opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour
when Lee Fraser latched on to a Gary Tweedie pass and despatched a low drive
beyond Alan Bokas.
Eight minutes into the second half the Can-Cans had a chance
to double their lead from the spot after Shaun Sinclair was adjudged to have
fouled Scott Moore. However, Bokas pulled off an excellent block from Simon
Allan's penalty.
The Can-Cans' second goal was delayed by only a matter of
seconds, though. A long throw by Allan was met by Neil Whyte, who sent a
looping header into the net.
Academy produced a quick response, reducing the deficit in
the 56th minute. A shot from Gary Weir was parried by Knight into the path
of Cunningham, who scored from close range.
Forres held on to maintain their 100 per cent home record in
the league this season and they are now second in the table. It was the fifth
time this term that Academy had lost a league game by a single-goal margin.
Academy's Scottish Cup opponents Keith prepared for this
weekend's Harmsworth
Park showdown with a 1-1
draw at home to Cove Rangers.
Cammy Keith put the Maroons ahead in the sixth minute but Cove
got themselves level after 28 minutes with a header from Alan Redford.
Brora Rangers' poor start to the season continued at Grant
Park where Nikki Smith helped himself to four goals in Lossiemouth‘s 5-0
victory.
Smith opened the scoring two minutes from the break before
netting two penalties inside the opening five minutes of the second half.
Brora's Gordon Finlayson was red-carded for the foul that led to the second
spot-kick.
Liam Archibald added Lossie's fourth just after the hour
mark and Smith completed the scoring in the closing stages.
Fraserburgh were brought down to earth after their fine win
at Wick when they were given a 5-1 thumping by Turriff United at The Haughs.
It was the Broch who opened the scoring through Scott
Barbour but Turriff responded with goals from Jerry O'Driscoll, Dave McKenzie
and Stephen Gauld to go in 3-1 up at the break.
Andy Hutchison and Michael Taylor added to Turriff's tally,
making it a day to forget for Fraserburgh boss Kris Hunter on his return to his
former club.
Nairn County
stay top following their 2-0 home win against Fort
William. Martin MacDonald
and Steven Mackay got the goals either side of half-time.
Mike McKenzie struck twice in Deveronvale's 3-0 victory over
Inverurie Locos at Harlaw
Park.
McKenzie opened the scoring with a first-half penalty before
doubling Vale's advantage with a quarter of an hour to go. Locos' Jamie Michie
got his marching orders before Leigh Henderson wrapped up the points for the
visitors.
Buckie Thistle picked up a much-needed win as they beat
Strathspey Thistle 3-1 at Seafield
Park. Craig MacMillan struck
twice for the champions either side of a Nicholas Mochan own goal, with
Matteusz Bobrowksi pulling one back for the Grantown Jags late on.
Clach moved above Rothes in the table after a 3-2 victory
over the Speysiders at Mackessack
Park. Brian MacLeod, Mark
Kennedy and Chris Ross were on target for the Lilywhites, with Michael McKinnon
and Sean McKinstry replying for Rothes.
Huntly and Formartine United shared the points in a 0-0 draw
at Christie Park.
