Wednesday April 17th
Formartine close in on top spot with a narrow win away at Keith
There were 3 Wednesday night games played and Formartine capitalised
as they continue their march towards the top of the table. They travelled to
Keith and won 1-0, the result leaving them in second spot only 3 points behind
leaders Cove Rangers, but vitally they still have 4 games in hand.
Keith started with Ricky Horn between the sticks, his first
start since joining them from Rothes at the start of the season. They also had
an eye on Saturday's Highland League Cup semi-final against Nairn County as
they rested their top goal-scorer Cammy Keith. With plenty of games still to
cram in Steve Paterson also rested some of his regulars, notably regular
starter Callum Dingwall.
Formartine made a nervy start and it was Keith who had the
better of the opening exchanges, coming close through Jonathan Cook and Andy
Smith.
It was Formartine however that scored what turned out to be
the only goal of the game in the 25th minute. Mark Wood clipped the
heels of Paul Napier inside the box and Formartine were awarded a penalty. Napier took the
spot-kick himself slotting home after sending Keith keeper Horne in the wrong
direction.
Both sides had further chances to score, and with 15 minutes
left the home side unleashed Cammy Keith off the bench, but even he couldn't
muster up an equaliser and Formartine claimed another vital 3 points to keep
their championship push very much alive.
Nairn are just behind Academy in the table, and it looks as
if the Scorries will be fighting with them for a league position. They welcomed
struggling Buckie to Station Park and the sides shared the points with a 2-2
draw. Connor Gethins has been in tremendous form for the wee county this
season, and he opened the scoring with a screamer, smacking a 20 yard first time
shot past keeper Kevin Main.
Buckie were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the Nairn penalty
box in the 19th minute but Callum Donaldson saved the attempt from
Lewis MacKinnon.
The visitors drew level at the start of the second half when
Munro latched onto a half-cleared corner, and he steered his shot into the
corner of the net.
Back came Nairn and this time it was Craig Macmillan that
supplied the finish as he volleyed home a fine strike.
Buckie kept fighting and won a share of the points when
Nairn failed to clear a corner and Graeme Stewart rifled home.
Fraserburgh welcomed Turriff United to the Broch and the home
side ran out 4-2 winners in an entertaining game for the punters that turned
out to spectate.
The Broch started proceedings with a goal after 19 minutes
when Ryan Christie poked home a loose ball.
Turra levelled 3 minutes later when Nick Gray ran into the
box, rounder the keeper and crossed to Gary Harris for an easy finish only 6 yards
out.
Harris thought he bagged another but was denied by the width
of the cross-bar, but his side did manage to take the lead on the half-hour
when Gray fired home a Harris cross from close range.
The home team battled back and the sides went into the break
at 2 goals each when Willie West bundled home from a corner.
Fraserburgh went onto win the game with two further second
half strikes. Cooper tapped in to give them the lead, and West bagged his
second to seal the points when Barbour set him up and he finished with a strike
from only 10 yards out.
