HUNTLY 4

FORRES MECHANICS 2

A THIRD away defeat of the season saw the Can Cans slip off the top of the Highland League table, with Cove Rangers moving one point clear, but the Mechanics have two games in hand.

Despite the dropped points, manager Charlie Rowley didn't despair and urged his players to put the game behind them and look at the bigger picture.

He said: "If we had been given this position at the start of the season we, in fact any team, would have bitten your hand off for it. It was a defeat, away, to a good team at a difficult venue for us. Really disappointed but we have to look at the bigger picture."

Forres made the trip along the A96 to Huntly without top scorer Lee Fraser, the influential Kyle Scott and dynamic midfielder Neil Whyte. Fraser Bremner and Willie Barron were drafted in for rare starts, while Gordon McNab came in to the centre of the midfield.

The Mechanics began in positive fashion and there was a shout for a penalty kick in only the second minute when Grant Campbell went in clumsily on Willie Barron, but referee Douglas Ross ignored the claims.

Within sixty seconds, disaster struck at the other end. Student Neale Davidson swung a ball in from the left that keeper Stuart Knight failed to deal with and the ball zipped at Simon Allan, who directed it back into his own goal.

The Mechanics reacted well and Kevin Duguid went close after beating Neil Reid to create room for a shot. Then, from a Simon Allan set piece, the ball came to Nathan Sharp and his effort was turned around the post by the diving Neil Hastie. At the other end, David Booth signified his threat when he reacted to a Barry Somers knock down to crack a shot off the crossbar.

Forres seemed to be back on track just after the midpoint in the first half when Kevin Duguid's defence splitting pass presented Willie Barron with the opportunity to fire home his third goal of the season.

Then the Can Cans switched off defensively and the momentum was back with the home team. Andrzej Keczkowski moved down the right and fed the ball in to Michael Fyfe, who picked out David Booth, leaving the young striker with a simple finish. It was to be a defining point in the game as the visitors failed to rally.

Things went from bad to worse near the end of the half. When Fraser Bremner became the second player who had to go off to clear blood from a wound, the Chocolate and Golds were left with just nine men on the park. Huntly took full advantage.

A poor clearance from Stuart Knight left Forres exposed and the combination of Kleczkoswki and Davidson lead to David Booth being presented with a second goal that was simpler than his first.

Two goals down at the break it was clear Forres needed to get back into the game if they were to turn this one around. In the 49th minute they had the perfect opportunity to do so when Neil Hastie brought down Willie Barron in the penalty area.

This time referee Ross pointed to the spot. Simon Allan, usually so consistent from 12 yards, opted to place the ball to the keeper's right but Hastie dived to turn the ball away for a corner. Fortunately, for Allan the corner lead to a goal.

The left back's delivery was met by right back Graham Fraser and Garry Tweedie was well placed to hook the header down over the line.

Forres pressed Huntly back but found it difficult to find a way through.

Matty Davidson and Ryan Green were introduced to the fray and the latter almost made an impact with his first touch but Neale Davidson got in to take the ball off his toe as he looked set to strike.

Despite Forres having an edge there were few clearcut chances. Barry Somers did well to cut in from the left flank before playing a one-two with Kleczkowski only to see Knight save low. Simon Allan then looked to rectify the blots on his copybook with an effort outside the box but Somers headed away the danger.

There was not to be a late comeback and ultimately the game was to be summarized a minute into stoppage time when another poor clearance by Stuart Knight saw Andrzej Kleczkowski given the chance to add his name to the scoresheet, which he took with a well placed curler from 16 yards.