The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
It all adds up to a good weekend for Rowley’s players
meet a corner and send a powerful downward header past Sim from six yards.
Late on only a fabulous flying save by Sim stopped Soane from making it 3-1 and, although Turriff threw everything at the visitors in the closing minutes, the Forres defence stood firm. United central defender Ross Anderson felt his side merited a point and said: “Their goalkeeper pulled off about five great saves and our own number one Greg Sim made three equally good stops, so it could easily have been a high-scoring draw.
“Forres got the winner when Stuart Soane came in at the back post, I still think he used myself to gain a bit of leverage, but the referee wasn’t interested, and it was a great header.” Forres Mechanics manager Charlie Rowley was both elated and relieved after his side’s victory against Turriff United.
Rowley said: “The victory along with Brora and Fraserburgh both losing was the ideal scenario for us.
“After watching Turriff win 5-2 at Rothes on Wednesday night I was concerned about the game as I thought they were as good a Highland League side as I’d seen in a long time. They were enthusiastic, quick, clinical and they played at a high tempo.
“I told my players to go out and get a result but be very wary after an upsurge in terms of Turriff ’s recent performances.”
Rowley added: “I don’t think we deserved to be on level terms at the break as we were really sloppy and we were second best for long spells.
“We improved dramatically in the second half, we weren’t the finished article by any stretch of the imagination, but our determination to get ourselves into a winning situation was exceptional.”
United manager Kris Hunter felt his side deserved to take a point.
He said: “I don’t think there was anything between the teams.
“We gave away a poor first goal when we didn’t defend a high ball into the box but I thought the reaction from our guys was good.
“Before Davie Ross’ equaliser we had two one-on-ones with their goalkeeper and later, just before they scored the winner, Angus Grant had another and didn’t manage to lift it over the keeper, then they go up the park and score.”
The former Fraserburgh and Formartine United manager added: “Forres have changed their style of play. They’re not so direct as they used to be, young Andrew MacRrae out wide is a talent and I also thought that Stuart Soane was excellent today, he’s always been good in the air and he took his goal well.”