HIGHLAND LEAGUE
A Danny Handling hat-trick was the highlight in BRECHIN CITY’S 5-1 thrashing of TURRIFF UNITED at Glebe Park.
City grabbed the lead after quarter-of-an-hour when Grady Mcgrath lashed home a right-foot drive, then a close-range finish from Handling six minutes later made it 2-0, with a superb Dylan Stuart volley reducing the deficit on 29 minutes. Handling extended City’s lead on 47 minutes when he poked the ball home, and the midfielder completed his hat-trick from a penalty in the 69th minute. Skipper Euan Spark headed home goal No. 5 on 79 minutes.
WICK ACADEMY may have dealt a fatal blow to BUCKIE THISTLE’S title hopes with an impressive 3-1 at Harmsworth Park. It was the Scorries who harnessed the windy conditions and Marc Macgregor (2) and Kyle Henderson giving Wick a 3-0 lead before Jack Murray hit a consolation.
BANKS O’ DEE gave themselves a great chance of finishing in the top four with a thumping 4-1 win over FORMARTINE. Mark Gilmour, Garry Wood and Hamish Macleod provided a three-goal cushion early in the second half before Julian Wade pulled one back halfway through the second period.
Ethan Cairns came off the bench to add a fourth.
FRASERBURGH blitzed visitors ROTHES 5-0 with counters from Logan Watt (2), Scott Barbour, Ryan Sargent and sub Callum Kelly.
Hosts LOSSIEMOUTH drew 3-3 with DEVERONVALE in what turned out to be the game of the day. Grant Noble was in charge of managerless Deveronvale and they went one up in the 15th minute through Jack Mitchell and, despite Brandon Hutcheson levelling, it was Vale who went in ahead at the break, former Lossie defender Harry Noble netting. Max Stewart seemed to have sealed the win for the Banffers, but Dean Stewart pulled one back two minutes from time. Supersub Connor Macaulay sealed a point for Lossie in the final minute.
STRATHSPEY THISTLE were 2-1 winners at home over CLACHNACUDDIN. The hosts got the only goal of the half, Iain Ross placing the ball past Michael Miele. The Lilywhites levelled from a penalty with 20 minutes remaining, Connor Bunce coolly slotting home, but they were undone late on as Daniel Whitehorn sent the Strathy fans home happy with a winner.
INVERURIE LOCOS lost 2-1 at home to KEITH, who led after two minutes. A corner from the right was met by the head of Gavin Elphinstone with the ball trickling in through the fingers of Zack Ellis. Elphonstone then got a second goal on 26 minutes. Earlyin the second half, Craig Reid saved a penalty from Paul Coutts. Locos reduced the leeway on the hour as Myles Gaffney blasted home. Late on, Thomas Reid of Locos saw red.
HUNTLY’S Robbie Foster netted the only goal of the game after 17 minutes as they beat visitors BRORA RANGERS 1-0.
FORRES MECHICE and NAIRN COUNTY fought out a goalless draw, with Nairn closest to winning it in the second half when Steve Mackay’s header was booted off the line.