Saturday March 2nd
Academy grind out another win to extend lead
It wasn't pretty to watch, but Academy succeeded in
extending their lead at the top of the Highland League with a 1-0 home win
against bottom club Fort William.
Harmsworth regulars have been treated to many scintillating
performances so far this season – but this wasn't one of them. Gary Weir's
glancing header in the 25th minute was to prove crucial as the
Scorries struggled to get a real grip on the game.
This was a much more well-drilled Fort outfit than Wick fans
have been accustomed to seeing in recent years. Although the visitors rarely
threatened, there were one or two anxious moments for James More – standing in
for Michael Gray – and his defenders to deal with.
Nevertheless it was another important victory and another
clean sheet – the seventh shut-out in the last nine matches – as Academy
stretched their lead to five points over Cove Rangers and Formartine United,
both of whom have games in hand.
Nairn County were hoping to make up some ground on the
leading pack when they took on Keith at Station Park, but Les Fridge's side had
to settle for a 1-1 draw after Conor Gethins missed a stoppage-time penalty.
Cammy Keith put the Maroons in front from the penalty spot
four minutes into the second half, only for Gethins to equalise on the hour
mark with a superb long-range shot.
The Wee County were handed the chance to secure all three
points in the fourth minute of injury time when the referee spotted a handball
offence by a Keith defender. But top scorer Gethins struck the resultant
spot-kick against the top of the crossbar and so it ended all square.
Deveronvale eased to a 4-0 win against 10-man Lossiemouth at
Grant Park.
The damage was done in a frantic opening 15 minutes as Vale
raced into a three-goal lead courtesy of Graeme Watt, John Urquhart and Martin
Charlesworth before Lossie's Jamie McKinnon was red-carded.
Vale had to wait until eight minutes from full-time before
extending their advantage, Craig Morrison scoring from the penalty spot.
Buckie Thistle had to work hard for their 2-1 home win
against Rothes. Lewis Mackinnon and Dean Donaldson were the Buckie scorers,
with Ruari Watt replying for the Speysiders.
Forres Mechanics were held to a 1-1 draw by Huntly at Mosset
Park. Ross Archibald put the Can-Cans ahead on 28 minutes but Huntly's recent
signing Michael Hart headed home the equaliser with three minutes to go.
Strathspey Thistle were reduced to nine men as they crashed
to a 4-1 defeat to Fraserburgh at Bellslea Park.
The Grantown Jags took a fifth-minute lead through Alan
Mackenzie but the whole complexion of the game changed in an incident-packed
nine minutes just after the hour mark. Ryan Christie netted two penalties for
the home side either side of a goal from Peter Alexander Bruce, while
Strathspey pair Mateusz Bobrowski and Nicholas Mochan were both given their
marching orders.
Willie West put the outcome beyond any doubt when he scored
Fraserburgh's fourth with a quarter of an hour to go.
A headed goal by Martin MacLean early in the second half was
enough to give Brora Rangers a 1-0 victory over Inverurie Locos at Harlaw Park.
The Breedon Aggregates Highland League Cup got under way
with Clachnacuddin and Formartine coming through their respective
preliminary-round ties with narrow victories.
Clach staged a rousing comeback to beat Cove 3-2 at Grant
Street Park.
The Lilywhites looked to be heading for an early exit from
the competition as goals from Connor Scully and Jamie Beagrie put the visitors
two up inside the opening eight minutes.
However, Scott Graham reduced the deficit with a free kick
just before the break and Sean Ellis levelled things up with a 25-yard strike
five minutes into the second half. Five minutes after that, Gordon Morrison got
on the end of a cross to head home the winner.
Formartine progressed with a 2-1 win at Turriff. After a
goalless first half, substitute Daniel Park made the breakthrough for
Formartine and Neil McVitie added a second before Stephen Gauld pulled one back
late on.
