Turriff United prove too strong for Forres Mechanics
A blistering second half performance from Turriff United saw them claim a 3-2 victory over Forres Mechanics on Saturday.
Paul Brindle had opened the scoring for the Can Cans just after the half-hour mark at The Haughs.
After the break a missed penalty from United provided a warning for the visitors and they equalised shortly after through Aaron Reid.
Jack McKenzie's goal saw Turriff take the lead and Callan Gray added to it later in the second half.
Forres defender Graham Fraser pulled one back for his team but the goal failed to spur a comeback.
The hosts had an early chance when the ball was crossed into the box and Reid's header went just wide.
A Forres corner was swung into Graham Fraser who got a head to the ball and it went over the crossbar.
Reid threatened again for United when he was through on goal but visiting goalkeeper Stuart Knight was quick to clear the ball.
Magnus Watson was next to have an opportunity for Turriff and he saw his long range shot fly over the bar.
Kane Davies fired a free-kick into the box for the visitors, however, there were no takers to get on the end of it.
The hosts had a great chance when the ball was played to Watson in a close range position but he knocked his shot wide when it looked like he was certain to score.
Forres then took the lead when a breakaway pass provided Brindle with a clear run in on goal and he scored past United goalkeeper Tim Findlay.
Turriff had a chance for an equaliser when Keir Smith fired in a shot which went wide of the target.
Just before half-time Allan MacPhee's effort for the visitors did not hit the net.
Shortly after the break, United were awarded a penalty when Reid was taken down in the box. Smith stepped up to take the spot kick which was saved by Knight.
The hosts were on the ascendancy and a corner from Rhys Clark was delivered to Owen Kinsella and his shot went over the goal.
Turriff continued to apply the pressure and Smith saw his chance saved by Knight.
They did not have to wait long after that for their equaliser. A ball was crossed into Reid and he guided it into the net.
United then took the lead when McKenzie scored as Forres were struggling to deal with the home attacks.
The visitors had a rare second half opportunity through a free-kick taken by Brindle which went wide of the goal and did not trouble Findlay.
Callan Gray got on the end of a ball to net Turriff's third and increase their advantage.
Forres did manage to pull a goal back when Fraser scored from a corner.
However, this did not take the wind out of United's sails and they pushed for a fourth goal with Smith having a shot blocked by Knight as the game came to a close. Turriff's Watson was voted man-of-the-match.
United manager Dean Donaldson said: "I thought we dominated most of the game.
"We lost a cheap goal when we were playing just too high and got caught on the break, which was something I spoke about before the game to them.
"We should have probably got a goal in the first half but second half we really encouraged them to take the ball in difficult positions and try and play that extra pass. When we did we looked good and we scored three terrific goals.
"Overall we more than deserved to win and we can still definitely work on things.
"Both teams were struggling with the pitch and we were playing too many long balls in the first half. This really suited them more as they have big, strong players.
"We had a word with them and when we got the ball on the ground we played some much better football.
"In the second half we had some great play and we really pushed it. When we missed the penalty I thought maybe it is going to be one of those days.
"However, it turned into a good result. I'm really pleased for the players and with the work they are putting in and attitude. We are definitely going in the right direction.
"It's all about getting as many points as we can now until the end of the season."