Highland League round-up
Saturday September 7th
Academy drop points at home to visitors Cove
Wick Academy 1 – Cove Rangers 1
Wick Academy dropped points at home for the
first time since May 2012 when they shared the spoils with last season's
champions. In the first half Cove hit the post through Jamie Lennox likewise
Wick through Davie Allan. Wick took the lead with just under 20 minutes left
when James Pickles fired the ball into the back of the net from 30 yards. Cove
ensured a share of points when they equalised with 4 minutes to
go, Barrie Stephen was on hand to net from 6 yards out from a Lennox cut back.
Brora Rangers 6 – Lossiemouth 0
Brora are the only team to still have a 100%
record thanks to a convincing 6-0 win at home to Lossiemouth. Brora took the
lead after 19 minutes when David Hind headed home a Ritchie Hart corner. Steven
Mackay added a second just after the half hour when he nodded home Andrew Greig's
cross. Mackay added a second headed goal on the stroke of halftime to put Brora
three up at the break. Greig made it 4-0 just after half-time drilling a low
shot beyond the keeper. On 74 minutes Mackay completed a hat-trick of headers
when he nodded home Zander Sutherland's cross. Grieg completed the scoring with
a simple finish to complete the rout and continue Brora's impressive start to
the season.
Fraserburgh 2 – Forres Mechanics 0
Fraserburgh got the better over Forres on
Saturday thanks to two second half goals but it was Forres who created the best
chance of the first half. Lee Fraser picked up on a slack back pass but his
effort was parried away by the keeper. Fraserburgh took the lead after 50
minutes when a free-kick was teed up for Graham Johnston who drilled by ball
beyond the keeper into the far corner. Courtney Cooper sealed the points for
the Broch when he headed home Johnston's assist.
Rothes 0 – Turriff United 3
Turriff got the better of Rothes at
Mackessack Park. Gary Harris gave Turriff the lead on 26 minutes when he
slotted home after being played in one on one with the keeper. Just three
minutes later and Turriff added a second, Harris turned provider this time as
he set up Mike Mckenzie who drilled the ball home. Turriff added a third and
final goal on 50 minutes. Harris applied pressure on home defender Michael Dunn
who put the ball past his own keeper.
Huntly 1 – Strathspey Thistle 1
Strathspey Thistle picked up their first
point of the season away to Huntly who needed a goal 13 minutes from time to
make sure of a point. Strathspey scored their first league goal of the season 5
minutes before half-time. Mark Mckernie took a wind assisted free-kick from
inside his own half which slipped through the keepers hands to give the Jags
the lead. Huntly got back on level terms when a Mark Madle cross was knocked
into his own net by the unfortunate Scott Hendry.
Buckie Thistle 0 – Fort William 0
Buckie Thistle and Fort William shared the
points at Victoria Park in a goalless draw. Buckie had the better of the chances
but could not find a way past 16 year old Fort keeper Robin Harvey. Buckie
thought they had taken the lead in the second half but Craig Macmillan's goal
was ruled offside.
Nairn County 0 – Keith 1
Keith got the better of Nairn at Station
Park. Both teams had chances to take the lead in first half but they couldn't
find a way past the respective keepers. The only goal of the game came on 63
minutes when a Mark Wood cross found Andrew Macaskill unmarked who headed the
ball home into the keepers bottom corner.
Clachnacuddin 2 – Inverurie Locos 2
Inverurie scored a late equaliser away to
Clach to make sure of a point. Inverurie dominated the first half but it took
them until 2 minutes before half time before they opened the scoring, a David
Ross shot was blocked and Neil Gauld was on hand to fire home from close range.
Clach levelled the scores 7 minutes from time when Alistair Macleod headed home
a corner. Just 3 minutes later Clach took the lead. Paul Brindle exchanged
passes with Kyle Whyte before tucking the ball home. Inverurie however were not
finished as Gauld added his and the Loco's second in the dying moments to make
sure Inverurie got a share of the points. Gauld was then sent off with a
straight red card in stoppage time for a lunge on the keeper.
Ramsdems Cup 14 Final – Annan Athletic 4 –
Formartine United 0
In the Ramsdens Cup Formartine put up a great
first half showing away to Annan but a penalty decision just after half-time
swung the tie the way of the home team. Andy Shearer brought down Kenny Mckay
in the box and conceded a penalty and received a red card for his troubles.
Ally Love converted the penalty and from then on Annan applied the pressure.
They were rewarded with a second goal when Kenny Brannan fired home from 12
yards. Mckay added a third for Annan before a late goal from David Hopkirk
added further misery for Formartine, but they did fantastically well to reach
this stage of the competition.
