Sean Risk Sport

Highland League gets underway

Today saw another season of the Highland League kick off with all 18 teams in action today with some high scoring games, only 3 sides didn’t score today! And also a shock result.

A second half comeback for Banks O’Dee saw them earn a 2-2 draw with Turriff United at Spain Park, a goal from Miller Keir and a penalty from captain Andrew Watt had Turriff 2-0 up at the break but a brace from Andy Hunter ensured the points were shared.

Title contenders Brechin City kicked off their final Highland League campaign with a 4-0 victory over Lossiemouth with goals from Mitchell Findlay and a debut hattrick from Grady McGrath who just joined on loan from Cove Rangers.

Defending champions Brora Rangers kept up their form from last season with a 6-2 victory over Rothes at Dudgeon Park with goals from Jordan MacRae, Shane Sutherland, Mark Nicholson, Connor Bunce and Max Ewan. Jake Thomson scored 2 penalties for Rothes.

A late goal from Daryl McHardy was enough to give Buckie Thistle all 3 points over Nairn County with a 1-0 victory at Victoria Park. Millar Gamble was sent off for the visitors.

Deveronvale started with a win over Wick Academy at Pricess Royal Park with Fergus Alberts scoring a brace and Austin Sparkes getting the other, while Marc MacGregor scored a brace for Wick.

Forres were held to a draw by 10 man Huntly at Mosset Park. Kyle MacLeod gave Forres the lead and Sam Robertson equalised for Huntly, with James Connelly getting sent off for the visitors.

Fraserburgh came back from 2 down to draw with Formartine at Bellslea Park. Luke Emmett and Scott Adams gave Formartine a 2 goal lead however a goal from Scott Barbour and a penalty from Kieran Simpson earned the Broch a point.

The shock of the day was Clachnacuddin’s 5 goal thrashing of Inverurie Locos at Harlaw Park. All 5 goals from James Anderson, Kuba Leszczynski, Andrew Macrae and a brace from Greg Morrison came in the second half as the Lilywhites ran riot and made a real statement, the only downer for Clach was goalkeeper Mark Ridgers being sent off late on for handling the ball outside his box.

Strathspey Thistle started their season with a 3-1 win over Keith with goals from Josh Race and a brace from Shaun Morrison while Aaron Angus got one back for the visitors.

Goals galore in the League Cup

The final round of fixtures in the League Cup saw defeats all round for the Northern sides.

A goal from Ross Taylor was enough for Stenhousemuir to beat League 1 rivals Peterhead 1-0 at Ochilview Park. This result cemented the Bloo Toon to the bottom of Group G with 0 points.

A 91st minute goal from Josh Fowler gave Queens Park a 2-1 over Cove Rangers at Lesser Hampden. Mitch Megginson put Cove ahead on 15 minutes but the Spiders equalised through a Michael Ruth spot kick 5 minutes later. Cove still finished above Queens Park to come second in Group A with 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat which is still a respectable performance for the League 1 side.

St Johnstone recorded an emphatic 8-0 win over League 2 side Elgin City. The Saints went 1-0 up early through Reghan Tumilty then shortly after Elgin keeper Tom Ritchie was sent off. After that, goals from Stanton, Ikpeazu, Sprangler, and braces from Kirk and Gullan saw off the rout as the Saints won Group F winning every game, while Elgin finished bottom, losing every game.

The other Group F tie saw Raith Rovers beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 5-1 with a Dylan Easton hattrick, 2 of which were from the spot, a goal from Jack Hamilton and an own goal from Remi Savage, while David Wotherspoon scored a consolation for the Caley Jags. This left both sides on 6 points however Raith claimed second due to superior goal difference.

It was also defeat for Ross County who were beaten by fellow Championship side Partick Thistle in Dingwall thanks to goals from Robbie Crawford, Logan Chalmers and Ben Stanway, while Jordan White gave the Staggies a late consolation in the 89th minute. This meant the Jags won Group B with 4 wins out of 4 while the Staggies come second with 2 wins, a draw, and a loss.