Fochabers clock up eight straight wins in Moray welfare football season at RAF Lossiemouth while rivals Buckie Rovers and Aberlour Villa draw a blank
An all-conquering side has conceded its first points of the season - and another had powered on.
In a storming start to the Moray welfare football season, Fochabers and Aberlour Villa built up impressive winning runs.
And while Fochabers’ surge to the top of the table continued on Friday, Villa saw their nine-game victorious sequence halted by a goalless draw at champions Buckie Rovers.
Fochabers have won eight out of eight in all competitions including seven straight successes in the league after an impressive 6-2 success at RAF Lossiemouth.
The Speysiders started quickly and Tavis Thomson scored early on, with a few chances to double their advantage passed up.
RAF Lossie equalised after a deflected shot from Rhys Rooney rolled over the line, but two more Fochabers goal from Gary Burchell and Warren Orford put the visitors in control at the break.
The airmen got a goal back through an Anthony Stewart strike from outside the box.
But Fochabers stepped up their game and Lee Alexander showed his class with a well-taken hat-trick including a penalty.
Aberlour had already won a very close match at Buckie this season in the Scottish Cup, but the champions were determined not to let lightning strike twice.
Both keepers were kept busy with Villa’s Shaun Robertson saving early on while opposite number Glen Fraser denying Aberlour striker James McLaren a debut goal.
Villa lost top scorer Marcus Murray to a shoulder injury while Kris Duncan brought the best out of Fraser before half time.
Another injury concern in the second half saw Rovers’ Jacob Imlach stretchered off with a knee problem.
The home side pressed for a winner but Aberlour stood firm and McLaren broke to the other end only for Fraser to dash out of his goal area and make the save.
A Robertson stop in time added on ensured that a rare goalless draw was the outcome of a battle between two sides going for the title.
Cullen made it three wins in a row with a 4-1 success at home to Craigellachie.
The coast side opened the scoring on six minutes when Jae Marandola's corner was met by a powerful header from Josh Imlach, netting his first goal for the club.
Marandola was put through by Taylor Smith, showing good pace and feet to beat his man and rifle the ball into the far corner on 36 minutes.
Craigellachie were much improved at the start of the second half and were rewarded by Brandon Tinley's neat finish from the edge of box midway through the second half.
But the home team stepped up their game and Logan Macaulay Mill continued his run of goals with a fantastic run and finish, beating several Craigellachie players before smashing home his fifth of the campaign.
Smith killed the game off five minutes later, converting a Scott Innes cutback at the far post.
Hopeman stayed in the reckoning with a narrow victory in Keith against Ugie.
Goals by Jordan Orr and Matt Herley (penalty) edged the coast side to a 2-1 win with Ewan Milne replying for Ugie.
