Saturday November 10th
Scorries stay top but closing pack make up ground
Academy missed the chance to go five points clear at the
top of the Highland League when they suffered a chastening 4-1 defeat to Forres
Mechanics at Mosset Park on Saturday.
The Scorries remain in pole position on 24 points, but
three of the chasing pack are now just two points adrift in what is shaping up
to be the most open title race for many years.
Academy started well enough in the clash of the reigning
champions and the current leaders but the Can-Cans edged in front two minutes
from half-time after a very soft penalty decision. Grant Steven was adjudged to
have fouled Craig McGovern inside the box and Kevin Duguid tucked away the
resultant spot-kick.
The Scorries got themselves back on level terms six
minutes into the second half when an effort on goal by Sam Mackay was turned
into his own net by Forres defender Graeme Grant.
Forres restored their lead on 73 minutes with a tap-in
from Duguid for his second of the afternoon, and they made sure of the points
with a Graeme Fraser header in the 87th minute. Substitute Scott Moore rounded
off the scoring in stoppage time.
Formartine United climbed to second spot after a 4-1 home
win against Keith – setting up a top-of-the-table clash this weekend when the
Pitmedden outfit visit Harmsworth Park.
After a goalless first half at North Lodge Park, Calum
Bagshaw put Formartine in front in the 55th minute and they doubled their lead
10 minutes later through the in-form Mike Ewen.
Keith's Jamie Lennox reduced the deficit on 79 minutes
but four minutes later it was 3-1 courtesy of Phil McKibben. Ewen then struck
again for his 17th goal of the season in all competitions, including nine in
his last four games.
Clach joined Cove Rangers and Formartine on the 22-point
mark after a 3-0 victory over Strathspey Thistle at Seafield Park.
Gordon Morrison opened the scoring on the half-hour mark
and the striker doubled his tally midway through the second period. Michael
Ellis completed the scoring late on.
A second-half strike by Jordan Sutherland was enough to
give Buckie Thistle a 1-0 win at Huntly.
Fraserburgh won by the same score at Turriff, Neil Main
getting the only goal just before half-time. Turriff were reduced to 10 men
just after the hour mark when Richie Ligertwood was shown the red card.
Sean McIntosh scored two penalties in the last seven
minutes as Rothes came from behind to beat Lossiemouth 3-2 at Mackessack Park.
Greg Simpson's early opener for the Speysiders was
cancelled out by Ross Archibald soon after the break. Colin Charlesworth then
put Lossie ahead just before the hour mark, but McIntosh's late penalty double
secured all three points for the home side.
Inverurie Locos' hopes of a Scottish Cup trip to Celtic
Park were dashed as they lost 3-1 in their third-round replay at Arbroath. Neil
Gauld got the Inverurie goal.
There was replay disappointment for Nairn County too as
they went down 3-2 at home to Forfar Athletic. Trailing by three goals as the
tie entered the last quarter of an hour, County gave themselves a fighting chance with strikes
from Conor Gethins and John Cameron but they couldn't quite complete another of
their notable cup comebacks.
