Five-star Brora hit top gear

Sunday Mail 61

Brora Rangers killed off Formartine’s lingering title hopes with a crushing 5- 0 triumph which saw them leap back to the top of the Highland League.

Ross Tokely’s team were i n ruth less mood at Dudgeon Park as they dismantled the Pitmedden men, with ex-Ross County striker Kyle Macleod netting a double within the opening seven minutes.

The young frontman headed the opener after two minutes before firing home from the spot after he had been fouled in the box by Russell McBride.

Scott Graham and Zander Sut her land bot h hi t long- range screamers to make it 4- 0 at the break before Macleod sealed his hat- trick seven minutes after the restart.

With beaten Buckie Thistle slipping off the top, Brora now sit a point ahead of Cove Rangers who are favourites for the crown as they have two games in hand.

Brora boss Tokely said: “We went a bit more attacking today and the boys produced the goods.

“I was overwhelmed with the scoreline – and it could have been a lot more.”

It was a dramatic day all round in the title race, with Buckie falling to third after a shock 1- 0 defeat away to Huntly. Ross Still struck a last-gasp winner.

Defending champions Cove moved second with a 3- 2 win away to Wick Academy as Blair Yule settled it with four minutes left.

Cove’s Eric Watson had netted a 27th-minute opener only to see Danny Mackay level a minute later.

Marc McGregor then put Wick 2-1 ahead but Paul McManus levelled for Cove f rom the penalty spot immediately after the restart before Yule’s clinical finish won it.

Elsewhere, an early Lee Fraser strike and a penalty from Simon Allan gave Forres a 2- 0 win at Deveronvale’s Princess Royal Park.

Fraserburgh thrashed hosts Inverurie Locos 5-1 with Scott Henry netting a double. Neale Davidson and Ally Mackenzie sealed the points in a 2-0 win for Turriff Un i t e d o v e r h o s t s Strathspey Thistle.

And Rothes pulled off a 5-3 win away to Fort William with Grant Munro and Keir Smith both firing doubles.