Scottish Cup & Highland League round-up
Saturday September 29th
Spot-kick heartache for Scorries after epic trip to Berwick
Academy suffered a heartbreaking exit from the William
Hill Scottish Cup as Berwick Rangers' Lee Currie netted a last-minute penalty
to seal a 1-0 win for the Third Division outfit.
It was a case of what might have been for the Scorries,
who had themselves been awarded a spot-kick after just six minutes when Davie
Allan was brought down in the box by Devon Jacobs. Unfortunately, Sam Mackay's
effort was saved by Youssef Bejaoui and Gary Weir was just unable to force home
the rebound.
Academy played some fine football and created numerous
chances, although at the other end Michael Gray had to be at his best to keep
the scoresheet blank.
After their epic trip over the border, the Scorries
looked to have done enough to earn a replay at Harmsworth Park until that
90th-minute penalty decision when Grant Steven was adjudged to have fouled
Stuart Noble.
It was a cruel way to go out, but once again Academy can
be proud of their efforts in the national tournament.
Highland League champions Forres Mechanics were edged out
1-0 in their high-profile clash with Rangers in front of a crowd of 2571 at
Mosset Park. Kal Naismith fired home the only goal after 16 minutes.
The Can-Cans' hopes of causing a massive upset were dealt
a blow by Nathan Sharp's red card in the second half, but they battled well
throughout and came close to snatching a lucrative replay.
Deveronvale celebrated an impressive 3-2 win against
Third Division club Peterhead at Princess Royal Park. The Banffers were three
up at half-time courtesy of Chris Blackhall, Graeme Rodger and Scott Fraser and
held on after the Blue Toon hit back to reduce the deficit to a single goal.
Nairn County earned a replay with Clyde after a six-goal
thriller at Broadwood. The Wee County took the lead three times, only to be
pegged back on each occasion by their Third Division opponents.
Conor Gethins netted twice for the Highland League
leaders and Gregg Main was also on the scoresheet.
Buckie Thistle are also facing a replay against Third
Division opposition this weekend after a goalless draw with Annan Athletic at
Victoria Park.
Ten-man Clachnacuddin emerged as 4-2 winners over
Formartine United at Grant Street Park.
Clach were ahead through a Stephen Jeffrey own goal when
they had Mark Kennedy red-carded midway through the first period. Daniel Park
levelled for Formartine but Scott Graham restored the Lilywhites' lead before
the break.
Alan Pollock grabbed a second-half double either side of
Calum Dingwall's strike for the visitors.
Inverurie Locos came back from 3-1 down to beat Huntly
4-3 at Harlaw Park in the other all-HFL tie.
Locos went ahead when Lukasz Stasiak diverted the ball
into his own net, but Huntly responded with goals from Russell Guild and David
Booth to lead at the interval before Neale Davidson added their third.
Locos rallied, though, and a Neil Gauld double levelled
the tie at 3-3 before Stuart McKay headed in the winner.
Cove Rangers cruised to a 7-0 victory over Golspie
Sutherland at Allan Park with goals from Connor Scully, Alan Redford, Richie
Singer, Ronnie Jones (o.g.), Blair Yule, Jordan Leyden and Eric Watson.
Cammy Bowden and Dave McKenzie were on target for Turriff
United in their 2-1 away victory over Civil Service Strollers but Fraserburgh
were beaten by the same score at home to East Stirling. The Broch finished the
game with nine men after red cards were shown to their goalscorer, Graham
Johnston, and Ryan Christie.
In the only Highland League game to go ahead on Saturday,
Brora Rangers halted a run of four defeats with a 2-1 win at Keith. Craig
Campbell and Steven Mackay scored early in each half for Brora before Gary
McNamee pulled one back for the Maroons.
