Saturday February 16th
Seven-goal Cove take over at the top as Academy are left idle
Wick Academy were knocked off top spot in the Highland
League as Cove Rangers stormed to a 7-0 victory over Turriff United.
With the Scorries' scheduled home fixture against Huntly
postponed because of a waterlogged pitch, Cove went into their game at Allan
Park knowing that a win would put them one point clear at the summit.
Connor Scully and Eric Watson had the home side two up at
the break and they ran riot in the second half with further goals from Stirling
Smith, Jordan Leyden (penalty), Danny Milne and Lewis Macaulay before Scully
added his second of the afternoon to round off the scoring.
Cove have now scored 18 and conceded none in their three
league matches since the start of February.
Formartine United and Nairn County stepped up their title
challenges with narrow wins against Lossiemouth and Clachnacuddin respectively.
At Grant Park, Lossie looked to have earned a point when
Jordan Main struck with 12 minutes to go to cancel out Mike Ewen's 15th-minute
opener for Formartine. However, Calum Dingwall grabbed an injury-time goal to
give the Pitmedden side a 2-1 win.
John Cameron hit a double and Robbie Duncanson was also on
target as Nairn swept into a 3-0 lead inside the opening 40 minutes of their
encounter with Clach at Station Park. Scott Graham pulled one back just before
the break and Gordon Morrison got the Lilywhites' second with a couple of
minutes to go, but County held on and they are now fourth in the table.
Forres Mechanics' recent signing Ross Archibald marked his
home debut with a four-goal haul as the Can-Cans romped to an 8-1 victory over
Rothes.
Craig McGovern opened the scoring before Archibald – who
moved to Mosset Park from Lossiemouth last month – grabbed a hat-trick inside a
10-minute spell. Scott Moore then made it five on the stroke of half-time.
Scott Dunn reduced the deficit only for Forres to add
further goals through Ryan Mackintosh and Graham Fraser either side of
Archibald's fourth.
Ten-man Keith ran out 3-2 winners over Fraserburgh at
Bellslea Park.
Peter Alexander Bruce put Fraserburgh in front but the
Maroons were 2-1 up at the break with goals from Bruce Raffel and Sean Keith
either side of Ross Campbell's red card. Cammy Keith extended their lead before
Willie West pulled one back for the Broch late on.
A goal by Bob Morrice midway through the second half was
enough to give Deveronvale a 1-0 victory at Buckie.
Two early goals put Inverurie Locos on their way to a
comfortable 4-2 win at Fort William. Neil McLean and Scott Begg had Locos two
up inside eight minutes, with Jack Strachan extending their lead before McLean
scored at the wrong end before the break.
Stuart McKay added a fourth for Inverurie early in the
second half, with Fort's Sean Grant reducing the deficit in stoppage time.
A second-half double by Steven Mackay helped Brora Rangers
to a 3-0 victory over Strathspey Thistle at Dudgeon Park after Craig Ross had
opened the scoring before the interval. Strathspey keeper Willie Ridgers was
sent off in that one.
