Scott’s strike keeps Broch title hopes alive
FRASERBURGH 1 BUCKIE THISTLE 0
Fraserburgh took the lead just before the quarter hour when Scott Barbour blocked a Lewis Mackinnon clearance and reacted swiftly to collect the ball and slot it beyond Balint Demus from just inside the box.
Barbour should have doubled his tally for the day 10 minutes later. The Broch were awarded a penalty by referee Dan Macfarlane after Jack Murray was adjudged to have fouled Lewis Davidson.
“Fig” stepped up to take the spot-kick but this time it was Demus who came out on top with a fine save.
That may have been a big moment in the game, but the Jags failed to build any momentum off the back of it and, with no further goals, it was Mark Cowie’s men who deservedly took all three points to keep themselves in with an outside chance of retaining the title.
BANKS O’ DEE 3 INVERURIE 4
After a lively opening to the game, Banks O’dee went ahead from the penalty spot at the midway point of the first period. Inevitably it was ex Locos legend Neil Gauld that was brought down and he stepped up to sweep past Andy Reid Locos levelled with a cross from the left by Logan Johnstone powered home by the head of Garry Wood.
Midfield dynamo Jamie Michie strolled through the centre of the home defence and fired past Salmon to give the Locos a 41st-minute lead and, three minutes later, Robertson fed the ball through to Wood to drive low into the empty net.
The Red and Blacks increased their lead in 70 minutes when great ball control by Robert Ward was followed by an outstanding volley into Salmon’s right corner.
Five minutes later, Dee’s Rob Armstrong cut the ball back for a close-range finish for Lachie Macleod and the leeway was reduced to just one with sub Hamish Macleod leaving Reid
rooted as he placed the ball low into the corner of the net.
BRECHIN 2 FORRES 1
Brechin City moved back to the top of the Highland League table following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Forres at Glebe Park.
The Can Cans grabbed the lead after 21 minutes when Jack Grant picked up the ball at the edge of the City box before unleashing a blistering right-foot drive which gave City keeper Lenny Wilson no chance.
City fought back after the break with Marc Scott poking home the equaliser in the 67th minute following a goalmouth scramble but the match seemed to heading for a 1-1 draw until deep into injury-time when City were awarded a hotly-disputed penalty after Grady Mcgrath appeared to be brought down in the box by Forres keeper Stuart Knight.
Can Cans midfielder Dale Wood was then sent off for foul and abusive language with Mcgrath stepping up to dispatch the spotkick to clinch a dramatic victory for his side.
CLACH 2 HUNTLY 0
The Lilywhites went ahead when Fraser Hobday took Robbie Thompson down in the box and James Anderson slotted in from the spot after sending the keeper the wrong way in the 18th minute.
Clach came out for the second half determined to put this game to bed as early as possible.
After a flurry of efforts they got the second goal they craved just two minutes after the restart when Anderson nodded in at the back post for his brace.
There was no way back for the Black and Golds who are now just two points clear of the Invernessians.
LOSSIEMOUTH 2 DEVERONVALE 3
Deveronvale’s 9-1 thumping from Buckie Thistle in midweek ensured they had a point to prove when they faced Lossiemouth at Grant Park.
They raced into a two-goal lead. Horace Ormsby netted the opener on the 20th minute with Mikey Watson soon firing in number two.
However, Harry Noble gave the home side hope before half-time when he turned Ross Elliot’s cross into his own net.
Elliot levelled the scores up but there was a dramatic twist in the last minute as Ross Morrison turned the ball past Logan Ross for the days’ second own goal, to give Deveronvale the win.
That lifts the Vale five points clear of second-bottom Strathspey and just three points behind 11th-placed Huntly.
STRATHSPEY 0 FORMARTINE 2
Strathspey worked hard to avoid losing any early goals that have blighted their campaign so far and a goalless first half followed.
However, just when the Jags were beginning to sniff the possibility of an upset win, referee Gordon Seago awarded the visitors a penalty.
Julian Wade made no mistake, beating Oliver Kelly from the penalty spot.
Graeme Rodger gave Stuart Anderson’s team some breathing space with a second goal, 10 minutes from time.
While it was a frustrating outcome for home manager Charlie Brown, he will have plenty of positives to take from the game ahead of a massive match against Deveronvale next weekend.