Moray welfare derby wins for FC Fochabers and Craigellachie while Thunderton see off Cullen
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FC Fochabers were Moray welfare football's highest scorers on Friday - but only after a first half scare from neighbours Lhanbryde United.
In a proverbial game of two halves, Lhanbryde dominated the first half and should have been several goals clear but only had a solitary Craig Harrold strike to show for their efforts at the break.
Three United efforts came back off the woodwork, one was cleared off the line and a fine save by the Fochabers keeper all kept the home side in the game after 45 minutes.
The second half was a very different story, as once a Lewis Grant free kick went through a crowded penalty area and found the net for Fochabers' equaliser, there was only going to be one winner.
The reigning champs took control and netted six more times, with Jordan Clark scoring three including a penalty. Ewan Edwards, Stuart Harrold, and Andrew Walker also netted to make the 7-1 scoreline look far more comfortable than it actually was.
It was also derby night down Speyside way where Craigellachie played host to Rothes A.
The home side threatened first when Barry Grant played the ball on the edge of the box to Cameron Grant, who put his effort wide.
Craigellachie took the lead on 16 minutes when Aaron O'Hara's through pass released James McPherson and he lobbed the keeper to open the scoring.
Craig continued to look dangerous with top scorer Jacob Imlach firing wide from scorer McPherson's pass, then McPherson was denied a second goal of the night when his header hit the bar from a C. Grant corner.
Rothes' first opening saw Tommy Barclay's header go over while B. Grant fired just past for Craigellachie before the break.
The game was turned on its head by two Rothes goals in the second half, the first arriving on 49 minutes when Reece Davies' shot from the right side of the box nestled into the corner of the net.
The the heavens opened, making play tricky for both sides. This became a factor when Bruno Martins' drive for goal slipped through the keeper's grasp and squirmed in to give Rothes the lead.
Both teams had opportunities after that, with Craigellachie pushing defender O'Hara into attack to try and salvage something from the contest.
O'Hara was denied by a good save, but the move paid off with just four minutes to go when the makeshift forward looped home a header from a corner to make it 2-2.
There was drama yet to come, as in stoppage time Craigellachie won another corner which sparked a scramble in the box and Scott McPherson managed to turn the ball home for what proved to be the winner.
Thunderton produced a polished performance to defeat visitors Cullen 5-1.
It was the away side who made the brighter start and Thunderton needed keeper Steven Todd to make a couple of fine saves from one-on-one chances.
The Elgin side opened the scoring on 21 minutes and it was former Elgin City and Buckie Thistle veteran Martin Charlesworth who netted his first goal for the club beating his man to slot home from David Christie's precise through pass.
Christie then provided another assist with a fine through ball to in-form striker Raymond Anderson who finished well on the half hour.
Six minutes later it was 3-0 as Charlesworth played the ball to the back post and Kevin Fairweather's glancing header could only be helped into the net by the Cullen keeper.
Thunderton were enjoying a purple patch and their onslaught led to a fourth goal on 41 minutes, Anderson capitalising on a defensive mix-up to tap in his second.
The Elgin side were really going for the kill and made it five goals in 23 minutes with Anderson completing his treble with a deadly lob from centre back Gary Leslie's through ball.
Cullen must have been stunned by their hosts' ruthless display but came out in the second half a much hungrier team.
Play was much more even but the visitors had the consolation of at least winning the second half with the only goal, when Jae Marandola showed good reactions in the box to steal possession and slot home.
