Young’s solitary strike leads Fraserbugh to three points
BRORA 0 FRASERBURGH 1
The two teams tipped to battle it out for the SHFL crown – hosts Brora and Fraserburgh – clashed at Dudgeon Park.
Highland League fans were served up something more akin to a well-matched battle from the SPFL lower leagues, with two wellorganised sides largely cancelling each other out.
The match was decided in the 74th minute when some great work from Fraserburgh’s Scott Barbour saw him deliver a tantalising ball into the middle and Paul Young stroked it into the home net.
BUCKIE 2 NAIRN COUNTY 1
The Jags went steaming in to a sixpoint lead at the top of the table ahead of their televised Scottish Cup clash with Bonnyrigg.
Having beaten Lossie 5-0 in midweek, they got off to the perfect start in this match when Andy Macaskill curled home from a short corner in the first minute.
Nairn have taken some impressive scalps this season and were not daunted. They pulled level just 12 minutes later through Dylan Mackenzie.
Buckie went back in front early in the second half when Jack Murray was left unmarked at the far post to head home a corner.
INVERURIE LOCOS 4 KEITH 0
A Cammy Keith effort was cleared off the line as Keith came closest to scoring in the first half.
They were blown away in the second as a great solo goal from Mark Souter put Locos in front and, although Neil Mclean saw red soon after, they were soon further ahead.
Andy Hunter converted a penalty after Marc Young fouled Chris Angus in the box. Angus himself then hit a double before Keith’s Michael Selfridge picked up the game’s second red card.
ROTHES 3 WICK ACADEMY 1
Rothes made it four league wins in a row to move to within two points of second place. Fraser Robertson got into the box to convert from a fine delivery from the right. Gary Kerr doubled the lead before the break.
There could have been a nervy finish on the cards after Craig Gunn pulled one back just before the hour, but, in the 76th minute, Craig Cormack nutmegged his marker and fired an 18-yard effort into the top corner of the net.
TURRIFF UNITED 1 FORRES 4
Forres Mechanics moved into the top half of the table for the first time this season thanks to a strong first-half showing.
The Can Cans took the lead through an unlikely source, with skipper Ross Macpherson notching before Ross County loanee Declan Hughes doubled the advantage.
On-form Allan Macphee put the result beyond doubt just before half-time and, despite Matty Macdonald pulling one back, the three-goal cushion was restored when James Ross’ free-kick was deflected beyond the keeper.
DEVERONVALE 3 STRATHSPEY THISTLE 2
Liam Taylor opened for the visitors as he headed home following a James Fraser corner in 17 minutes.
Vale were level nine minutes after the break when Robert Scott hit the post, but Scott Dunn followed up to net.
The hosts went ahead on the hour mark as Scott was again creator as Colin Charlesworth scored from a close-range shot.
Scott sealed the points for the home side with a close-range finish three minutes from time, but the visitors did find the net again in injury time through Richard Tawse.
CLACHNACUDDIN 0 HUNTLY 0
Goalless draws are a rarity in the Highland League, yet Huntly have racked up two in the space of four days.
They rode their luck in the 18th minute when Alasdair Gillies hit the base of the post, then hit keeper John Farquhar, but he was able to prevent it crossing the line.
From the start, neither side looked to have enough to win the game, with a series of half chances failing to produce a goal.