Nairn go top after goal blitz
NAIRN County fired an early title warning to the rest of the Highland League on Saturday as they crushed big-spending Brora Rangers 6-0 at Station Park.
This stunning result means Nairn now top the table on goal difference with a game in hand.
Brora, who have splashed the cash over the summer, had new boss Davie Kirkwood in charge for the first time, with many ex-Nairn players including ex-captain David Hind and Steven Mackay now at the Dudgeon Park club.
Andy Neil and brothers Gregg and Glenn Main had Nairn cruising at 3-0 by half-time.
Neill doubled up when he steered a header into the net for the North of Scotland Cup finalists and further goals from Conor Gethins and Michael Morrison had Brora hit for six by the final whistle.
Nairn travel to basement side Lossiemouth this weekend favourites to remain top of the pack.
Former Caley Thistle starlet David MacRae returned to Inverness and hit a last-gasp winner as Buckie Thistle beat battling Clach 3-2 at Grant Street.
The Lilywhites were 2-0 down thanks to goals from Zander Sutherland, another ex-ICT forward, and Jamie Shewan and they looked bang on course for victory in this Highland League contest.
However, Graham Tatters and Gordon Morrison hauled the Merkinchers back from the brink late on to make it 2-2 before MacRae steered the clincher into the net from six yards to leave the Lilywhites floored.
Clach head to Brora this weekend and they’ll be hoping that they can add to Kirkwood’s misery and get back to winning ways after two successive defeats.
Strathspey Thistle gave themselves a massive early season boost at they beat visitors Fort William 1-0.
Both teams will have viewed this as chance to gain breathing space in the mini league of strugglers at the foot of the table and Gillies Mackenzie sunk Fort with the winner just 12 minutes from time.
Cove Rangers were knocked off first place as they lost 1-0 at Keith, Nairn’s goal difference now bettering than of the men from Aberdeen.
Huntly are third, just a point off the pace, following their 2-1 victory at Deveronvale, while North of Scotland Cup finalists Wick Academy are also just one point behind the leaders after their impressive 4-0 win at Rothes.
In the only other league fixture, Turriff United saw off Inverurie Locos 3-0 to join them on seven points in mid-table.
In the Aberdeenshire Cup final, Fraserburgh hit back from 2-0 to take the game against Formartine United to extra-time with a 2-2 draw.
There was no scoring in that additional half an hour and the Broch went on to win the penalty shoot-out 3-1 to get their hands on the silverware at Victoria Park, Buckie.
