Winners in north-east welfare leagues are crowned
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The North East Scotland Football Association has crowned its welfare league winners.
Invercairn United were victorious in the Deejays Nightclub League 1, while Elizabethan Link Up won the Newline Building Supplies League 2.
In the past week's matches on Tuesday, August 31, in league 1 Bellslea hosted Haven in their final game of the season and the home side still needed a win to get them out of the relegation struggle. Haven won by the odd goal in nine and their scorers were PA Bruce who netted a hat-trick and one each from Kevin Cameron and Scott Falconer.
Replying for Bellslea were Martin Anderson, Darren Anderson, Ryan Strachan and Kyle Skinner.
On Friday in league 2, Macduff hosted Glenugie United at Myrus for the last home league game of the season.
The hosts with nothing to play for started slowly and Glenugie failed to capitalise being denied by good defending and a few stunning saves from Shaun Robertson.
Macduff grew into the game and found the opener when Chris Davidson slid Johnny Ironside through to smash home into the bottom right corner first time.
Macduff doubled their lead when a Kieran Neish corner found Aidan MacDougall at the front post to score. Macduff's two-goal lead did not last long when Ugie hit back with a goal from Brown.
In the second half Dan Taylor squared to Neish who jinked past three players and rifled the ball low into the bottom right corner. Macduff failed to clear their lines at a corner and Glenugie's Daniel Mair smashed home from close range.
Nathan Steele then found Taylor onside who showed great composure to slide the ball into the net to restore the home side's two-goal lead.
A looping header from Mair reduced the lead to one then Fraser gave the visitors a lifeline when his 25 yard shot flew into the top corner. However, the match ended with no more goals and Glenugie's promotion hopes were in tatters having to settle with third place.
On Saturday in league 1, Invercairn United welcomed Mormond Thistle in both teams' last league games of the season. The home side led by two first half goals from Steven Lawrence and Fraser Watt. Jordan Clark made it 3-0 before Ryan Cook and Fraser Davidson replied for Mormond to end the scoring.
In league 2 Cuminestown were in action for their last game of the campaign when they travelled to face St Combs, who were just below them in the table.
The visitors started the game strong with the wind and a slightly uphill pitch against them. The ever present Declan Abel in the middle of the park stole the ball and slotted a superb pass opening the back four up for trialist for the day Darren Chapman to come off the right wing and fire the ball home for Cuminestown's first goal. They would score three more times in a 4-2 victory.
Match of the day saw two promoted sides face each other with Methlick needing a win for the title and Link Up only needing a point.
Methlick got the advantage from the start and were ahead inside two minutes when a James Gracey shot found the corner of the net.
Gracey then played a neat one-two with Cheyne and stroked the ball home only for the referee to blow for offside.
Just after the half-hour mark Link Up drew level when a Bissett shot was deflected past his own keeper.
The match changed when Anderson was sent off for Methlick for a second caution.
Link Up pressed forward and got their reward when John McKinnon fired them in front then scored a second minutes later from 12 yards.
In injury time David Dalgarno connected with Shane Walls and stroked home a fourth goal. The full-time whistle blew and the celebrations began.
The association said it was grateful to its league sponsors Mark Forsyth of Deejays Nightclub in Fraserburgh, who has supported it for more than 20 years, and Newline Building Supplies, Fraserburgh.
This week's fixtures are Wednesday, September 8: NewLine Building Supplies League 2: St Combs v Boddam United at Links Fraserburgh; and Longside Thistle v Methlick (7pm kick-offs).
Saturday, September 11: Brucklay Cup quarter-final: Mintlaw v Banff Rovers; and Mormond Thistle v New Deer (2pm kick-offs).
