Highland League round-up
Saturday April 28th
Scorries have to settle for a point after Keith fightback
Academy surrendered a two-goal half-time lead at
Harmsworth Park as Keith hit back for a share of the points.
The Scorries, looking to extend their unbeaten home run
to nine matches, opened the scoring after just three minutes. Ross Allan went
marauding down the left and his cross into the box was helped on by Craig
Shearer to Richard Macadie, who swivelled and drilled the ball low into the
net.
Visiting keeper Andy Shearer was beaten for a second time
on 10 minutes. A free kick by Macadie fell to Sam Mackay on the left side of
the box, and the midfielder twisted and turned before slamming the ball into
the opposite corner.
The Maroons were incensed by an offside decision after
Cammy Keith knocked the ball in from close range.
With Davie Allan suspended and Gary Weir unavailable,
James Murray had been drafted in to take the No. 9 shirt and he came close to
making it 3-0 five minutes from half-time. Ross Allan again made good progress
on the left flank and his delivery took a deflection on its way to Murray,
whose looping header bounced off the crossbar.
Playing down the slope after the break, Keith dominated
possession and they reduced the deficit on 66 minutes when Graham Lonie strode
through the home defence and drove the ball low past Michael Gray.
Academy had a chance to re-establish their two-goal
cushion when Shearer's head-flick sent Macadie clear but the midfielder's effort
struck the outside of a post.
Five minutes after equalising, the Maroons were awarded a
penalty for a foul on Cammy Keith by Martin Gunn. The Keith No. 9 picked
himself up and fired home the spot-kick for his 35th goal of the season in all
competitions.
Academy almost regained the lead in the 77th minute when
Mackay teed up a chance for Murray but the striker's first-time effort struck
the legs of Andy Shearer and bounced away to safety.
However, the visitors were continuing to look the more
dangerous side.
There was a lengthy stoppage near the end when Mackay and
Keith's Kris Niddrie collided while contesting a fifty-fifty ball. Eventually
Mackay hobbled off the park with some assistance, while a stretcher was
required for Niddrie.
Andy MacAskill almost snatched victory for Keith deep in
injury time, slicing a shot just wide of Gray's top-left corner.
Cove Rangers claimed top spot after an emphatic 6-1 home
win against Strathspey Thistle.
Paul Emslie hit a first-half double for the title
challengers, with Stephen Jeffery and Danny Milne also on target before the
break. Jordan Leyden and Blair Yule added to the home side's tally before Adam
MacLeod hit a consolation goal for Strathspey.
Cove are now two points ahead of Forres Mechanics,
although the Can-Cans have two games in hand and can return to the summit by
winning at Turriff on Wednesday night.
Nairn County strengthened their grip on third place with
a 3-2 victory over Buckie Thistle at Station Park, John Cameron firing home the
winner in stoppage time.
Steven Mackay and Glenn Main were also on target for
County, with Zander Sutherland and Hamish Munro replying for the Jags.
Deveronvale strolled to a 6-0 win against Fort William at
Claggan Park. Craig Cowie hit a double, with the others come from Scott Fraser
(penalty), Scott Henry, Chris Blackhall and Grant Noble.
Two goals from Alan Pollock, the first from the penalty
spot, helped Clachnacuddin to a 4-1 victory at Turriff. Martin Callum and Paul
Brindle got Clach's other goals, with Gary Harris pulling one back for the home
side.
Inverurie Locos and Fraserburgh played out a 0-0 draw at
Harlaw Park.
Formartine United's home game against Rothes was
postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
