Saturday November 3rd
High-flying Scorries go two points clear at the top
Academy went storming to the top of the Highland League
after a magnificent 5-1 victory over Keith at Harmsworth Park.
Richard Macadie grabbed the limelight with a first-half
hat-trick, but overall it was a superb team performance as the Scorries turned
on the style in Barry Wilson's first game as manager.
There was a minute's silence before kick-off in memory of
David Dunn, a former youth coach and committee member at the club.
Academy made a bright start and took the lead in the
sixth minute. Macadie burst into the box and his powerful shot was blocked by
keeper Murray Kinnaird but Gary Weir was on hand to knock the ball into the
net.
Macadie made it 2-0 on 22 minutes, lashing in an
unstoppable angled shot after the Maroons had failed to clear from a free kick.
Macadie struck again on 33 minutes when he forced the
ball home from close range after some magical footwork by Weir on the left.
Four minutes later Stuart Walker was adjudged to have
pushed Craig Shearer in the box and Macadie stepped up confidently to complete
his hat-trick, sending Kinnaird the wrong way from the spot.
Academy added a fifth in the 53rd minute. Sam Mackay
drove in from the left and his low cross looked to have been turned in by Weir,
although it was later credited as an own goal by Zander Jack.
The visitors got a consolation goal with 10 minutes left
when Craig MacAskill was tripped in the box by Gary Manson and Cammy Keith
tucked away the penalty.
The result means Academy are now two points clear of
second-placed Cove Rangers with a game in hand.
Formartine moved up to third in the table after a
stunning 6-0 victory over Huntly at North Lodge Park, with Mike Ewen helping
himself to five against his former club.
Ewen grabbed three in the first half and added two more
in the closing stages, with Phillip McKibben also getting his name on the
scoresheet.
There was another first-half hat-trick at Bellslea Park,
courtesy of Zak Conway, in Fraserburgh's encounter with Lossiemouth. Ryan
Christie and Roy Noble added further goals as the Broch ran out 5-0 winners.
Forres Mechanics won by the same score at home to Fort
William with goals from Ryan Green, Kyle Scott, Nathan Sharp, Craig McGovern
and Matty Davidson.
First-half strikes by Steven Mackay and Dale Gillespie
gave Brora Rangers a 2-0 win against Rothes at Dudgeon Park.
Highland League sides again acquitted themselves well in
the William Hill Scottish Cup with two booking their places in the fourth-round
draw, two forcing replays after remarkable fightbacks, and another two losing
narrowly in tough away ties.
Craig Cowie was the Deveronvale hero as his strike just
before the hour mark gave the Banffers a 1-0 victory over Stirling Albion at
Forthbank – a ground where Rangers were beaten last month in a Third Division
fixture.
A first-half goal by Gary Harris was enough to earn
Turriff United a 1-0 win against Buckie Thistle in the all-HFL tie at Victoria
Park.
Nairn County staged a dramatic recovery from three goals
down at the break to snatch a 3-3 draw at Forfar. Michael Morrison, Ross
Naismith and Craig MacMillan were on target for the Wee County.
Inverurie Locos produced similar heroics in their match
against Arbroath at Harlaw Park. Trailing by three goals as the tie entered its
final quarter, Inverurie pulled one back through Clark Bain before a double
from Neil Gauld tied it up at 3-3.
A second-half strike by Danny Milne was not enough to
prevent Cove Rangers going down 2-1 to 10-man Partick Thistle at Firhill. Milne
had earlier seen a penalty saved.
Clach lost by the same score to Ayr United at Somerset
Park after Scott Graham had given the Lilywhites a first-half lead.
