Highland League round-up
Saturday November 5th
Scorries turn on the style in five-star show
clinical finishing as they thumped high-flying Nairn County 5-3 in a hugely
entertaining encounter at Harmsworth Park.
The visitors are among the Highland League title
contenders this season and they came into this match in second place, looking
to close the gap on leaders Forres Mechanics.
But after a flurry of goals saw the first half end 2-2,
Nairn had no answer to Academy's relentless attacking style in the second
period.
Nairn went ahead after 23 minutes when an attempt by
Martin Macdonald landed at the feet of Steven Mackay, who turned on the spot
and fired a low shot past Alan Bokas.
The home side were back on level terms less than a minute
later as they attacked down the right and Stevie Cunningham directed a
well-placed shot beyond Callum Donaldson.
Academy took the lead on 28 minutes with a stunning
strike from Sam Mackay. As the ball came to him on the left side of the penalty
area, the angle looked too tight but he flashed a brilliant volley past
Donaldson and into the opposite corner of the net.
Steven Mackay levelled things up on the half-hour mark
with a scrambled effort that Bokas was unable to prevent crossing the line.
After a couple of let-offs early in the second period,
Academy edged ahead again after 56 minutes when Wayne Mackintosh tripped Ross
Allan in the box and Sam Mackay tucked the spot-kick past Donaldson.
It got worse for Nairn on the hour mark when Dale
Gillespie turned the ball into his own net. Richard Macadie then slotted in
Academy's fifth in the 87th minute after being set up by Davie Allan, who had
been a constant threat all afternoon.
The big-spending Wee County had brought their summer
signing Conor Gethins off the bench and the Irish striker found the net with a
superb free kick in stoppage time.
But that couldn't take the gloss off an outstanding
display by Davie Kirkwood's men.
Nairn's defeat allowed Forres to open up a six-point gap
at the top of the table with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Clachnacuddin at
Grant Street Park.
Graham Fraser headed home the opener after 12 minutes and
Gary Tweedie doubled the Can-Cans' lead 10 minutes before half-time. Lee Fraser
struck in the 71st minute to wrap up the points.
Cammy Keith proved too hot to handle for Brora Rangers as
the Keith striker hit four goals, including one from the penalty spot, in his
team's 5-3 victory at Dudgeon Park.
Andy Macaskill was the Maroons' other scorer, with Steven
Ross, James Murray and Kyle Maclean on target for Brora. The home side finished
the game with 10 men after Gary Kerr was red-carded.
Kevin Webster hit a treble in Cove Rangers' 6-3 victory
over Formartine United at Allan Park. Jordan Leyden, Danny Milne and Daniel
Park got the others for Cove, with Formartine's goals coming from Michael
McGinlay (penalty), Calum Bagshaw and Barrie Stephen.
Formartine's Bobby Mann was sent off for conceding the
penalty from which Webster completed his hat-trick.
Deveronvale moved up to fourth after a 3-0 win against
Rothes at Princess Royal Park. Kris Duncan netted against his former club, with
Grant Noble and Scott Fraser adding the others.
Buckie Thistle's chances of retaining the title are
looking increasingly slim after they were beaten 1-0 at home by Huntly. Barry
Somers got the goal midway through the first half.
Fraserburgh maintained their 100 per cent home record in
the league with a 3-2 win against Lossiemouth.
Graham Johnston's double separated the sides at the break
but Lossie hit back with a penalty from Nikki Smith and the striker then added
another to level the scores. However, Fraserburgh were awarded a spot-kick of
their own and Allan Hale stepped up to seal the victory.
Inverurie Locos came from behind to beat near-neighbours Turriff
United 2-1 at The Haughs, with all the goals coming in the first half. Gary
Harris gave Turriff an early lead but Neil Gauld equalised and the Inverurie
frontman then struck the decisive goal from the penalty spot.
The basement battle at Claggan Park ended all square as
Fort William twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Strathspey Thistle. Craig
Rothney and Mattuesz Bobrowski were on the mark for the Grantown Jags, with
Danny Mackintosh and Logan Barker replying for Fort.
