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North region junior football: Burghead Thistle and Islavale reach Grill Cup quarter-finals, Forres Thistle defeat Nairn St Ninian in derby


By Craig Christie

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The final group matches in north junior football's Grill Cup competition produced plenty of goals.

Liam McKidd (left) scored in Burghead's 5-1 win at Dufftown.
Liam McKidd (left) scored in Burghead's 5-1 win at Dufftown.

Islavale beat Whitehills 14-2 to qualify for the last eight where they will be joined by Burghead Thistle, who had a stunning 5-1 success at Dufftown.

Dufftown had won each of their two group games by a 6-0 scoreline and needed just a point against Burghead, who had defeated the same opponents by slimmer margins.

The coast side looked well up for it at Westburn Park and took the lead when a Dufftown defender headed into his own net.

Kelvin Mackenzie's long range effort went in off the bar to double Thistle's lead, before Kris Duncan scored his sixth goal in three games to reduce the deficit for the Toonsers.

Good control and a sweet volley by Craig Ellis restored the two-goal gap for Burghead before half time.

Needing the win to go through, Burghead kept pushing and Mackenzie's through pass released Harry Allen to slot home a fourth goal.

Just after the hour, Liam McKidd nodded in a corner to seal a convincing victory for the away team.

Lossie United and New Elgin fought out a goalless draw in the other match in the section.

Islavale showed no mercy to a Whitehills side just back in the junior ranks after some time out.

The Banffshire side conceded 13 times in their first two games and Vale needed just a point from Tuesday's game to advance to the quarters.

They were in ruthless mood, with co-manager Robert Scott netting a first half hat-trick and Brodie Christie adding two more with James Stables also scoring to give Vale a 6-0 interval lead.

Christie ended up adding three more after the break while Stables got his second and Sam Mair, Stuart Thomson (pen), Callum Dunbar and Liam Wood netted to blow away Whitehills, who managed two consolation goals.

Forres Thistle won 2-1 at Nairn St Ninian in the other fixture in this section. Harvey Henderson and Jamie Souter netted Jags' goals.

Vale only just outscored Rothie Rovers who crushed Cruden Bay 13-0 in Rothienorman to seal their passage to the quarter-finals as group winners.

The Buchan side had been defeated 8-0 in each of their opening two matches and were hit by an even heavier loss.

Craig Smith, Phil Watt and Shaun Faskin all scored hat-tricks for Rovers while Kenny Mair, Murray Thompson, Stuart Hodge and Scott Chalmers added to the tally.

Deveronside picked up their first win of the season in some style, defeating group leaders Longside 3-0 with Kevin Thomson, Ryan Matheson and Jody Munro.

Longside still won the group after nearest rivals Buchanhaven Hearts lost to Fraserburgh United.

Stonehaven, Dyce, Bridge of Don Thistle and Culter all won their sections and join Islavale, Burghead Thistle, Rothie Rovers and Longside in the last eight.


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