Moray welfare football champions Buckie Rovers hit Lhanbryde United for eight in opening clash while new boys Lossie United Amateurs continue fine start
The all-conquering champions are off to a flying start.
Friday saw the Abbeyside Moray welfare league season get under way, and the team that swept the board last term sent a warning out to their rivals.
Former north junior club Buckie Rovers returned to action in 2024 after a spell in abeyance, electing to play in the welfare ranks at first.
They proved to be a formidable force last term as they won the title and both cup competitions.
Rovers could be the team to catch again this season as they opened up with an 8-0 victory away to Lhanbryde United.
Goals by Jordi Mackie, Kris Murray (2), Evan Smith, Matthew McMillan, Ross Fiske, 16-year-old debut boy Lucas McPherson and Jordan Bisset got the champs’ campaign off to a flyer.
Aberlour Villa could prove to be Buckie’s closest rivals once again, as they kicked off with an impressive 6-0 win at Cullen.
Villa’s season began last Sunday with a 9-1 Scottish Cup win over Peterhead side Boddam United, and the Speysiders maintained their good form by seeing off their first Moray hosts.
Within 12 minutes they were well on the way to full points as Gary Morrison, Korey Pring and Marcus Murray all netted to build up a 3-0 lead.
The scoring was paused until the 55nd minute when Ruari Watt made it 4-0, and two Craig Watt counters in the final 20 minutes wrapped up the scoring.
Lossie United amateurs built on their winning cup start by taking victory in their debut league match at home to Craigellachie.
The newcomers, a second string for junior football champions Lossiemouth United, won in the Scottish Cup in Fraserburgh last Sunday and they repeated the 3-2 scoreline in a close battle with their Spey visitors.
Cairn Lasley replicated his opening day goal with the first United strike and Morgan Smith and Liam Petrie were also on target for the Lossie youngsters, with Colin Coutts and Leo Ford replying for Craigellachie.
Luckless Portsoy scored two own goals in their opening day 4-0 defeat to Hopeman.
Gary Burr’s inswinging cross forced a Portsoy defender to run into his own net, then Burr went on to score twice himself to put some daylight between the sides.
The game was all over when Hopeman’s 16-year-old Brodie McLeman made a darting run down the right wing past his man before sending in a cross which was again put into his own net by a home player.
Four more league matches take place on Tuesday night.
Buckie host Lossie United, Hopeman welcome Craigellachie to Cameron Park, Aberlour are at Portsoy and RAF Lossiemouth start their campaign at home to Lhanbryde, kick-offs 7.15pm.
