Scottish Cup & Highland League round-up
Saturday October 6th
Nairn and Buckie celebrate after Cup comebacks
HIGHLAND League clubs celebrated a memorable Scottish Cup
double on Saturday as Nairn County and Buckie Thistle both came from behind to
win their second-round replays against Third Division opposition.
Andrew Neill's 89th-minute strike sealed a 3-2 home victory
for the Wee County against Clyde, who had led 2-1 at half-time.
Stefan McCluskey put the visitors in front early on and
John Sweeney restored their advantage with a spot-kick after Conor Gethins had
equalised midway through the first period.
Substitute John Cameron got the home side back on level
terms with 11 minutes to go. Clyde were then awarded another penalty but this
time Sweeney's effort was saved by Callum Donaldson, and Nairn took full
advantage of that let-off as Neill's late winner set up an away tie against
Forfar Athletic in round three.
Zander Sutherland was the Buckie hero as his two goals
secured a 2-1 victory over Annan Athletic at Galabank. Scott Chaplain put Annan
in front early in the second half but Sutherland equalised just before the hour
mark and slotted home the winner with 13 minutes remaining.
The Jags held on despite having had Shaun Carrol sent off
with half an hour left to play. Their reward is an all-HFL tie at home to
Turriff United in the third round.
In the league, third-placed Huntly produced an
astonishing comeback to earn a point in an eight-goal thriller against
Inverurie Locos.
Inverurie raced to a 3-0 lead inside the opening 31
minutes at Christie Park courtesy of Marc Young, Stuart McKay and Neil Gauld.
McKay was shown a straight red card before the interval but Locos nevertheless
looked to be firmly on course for three points when Gauld added another goal
early in the second half.
Huntly rallied, however, with Jason Coyle netting a
double either side of a strike from Michael Fyfe before an own goal by Steven
Park tied it up at 4-4.
There was another remarkable turnaround at Bellslea Park
as Clach overcame a two-goal deficit at the interval to beat Fraserburgh 3-2 –
a result that lifted the Lilywhites up to fourth, a point ahead of Wick
Academy, who were left with a blank Saturday because of Nairn's cup replay.
Mark Cowie headed Fraserburgh in front on 39 minutes and
John Willox doubled their lead two minutes later. Gordon Morrison started the
Clach revival with just over a quarter of an hour to go, and the same player
made it 2-2 six minutes from the end.
The Lilywhites weren't finished there, as substitute Paul
Brindle slid home a last-gasp winner.
Cove Rangers went three points clear at the top of the
table after a 3-1 victory over Deveronvale at Allan Park.
The home side went ahead just after the half-hour mark
through a Scott Fraser own goal. Vale's Craig Cowie equalised seven minutes
into the second period but Martin Johnston restored Cove's advantage after 67
minutes and Mike McKenzie made sure of the points in stoppage time.
A first-minute goal by Callum Dingwall set Formartine
United on their way to a 2-1 win at Brora. Mike Ewen added a second for the
visitors early in the second half before Liam Baxter pulled one back in the
closing stages.
After their positive showing against Rangers in the
Scottish Cup, Forres Mechanics slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to Turriff United.
Gary Harris netted both goals for Turriff with Scott Lawrie netting a penalty
for the league champions, who remain in the bottom half of the table.
Sean Keith scored twice and his brother Cammy was also on
target in Keith's 4-2 victory over Lossiemouth at Grant Park. Kris Niddrie got
the other goal for the Maroons, who had Jamie Lennox sent off near the end.
Anthony Ross and Scott Miller got the Lossie goals.
A double by Stuart Massie, one in each half, gave Rothes
a 2-0 win at Fort William.
Academy had been scheduled to play Nairn, but this was cancelled with the Wee County being involved in Scottish Cup action.
