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Hat-trick hero MacPhee grabs maiden Highland League treble


By Jonathan Clark

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ALLAN MacPhee grabbed his maiden Highland League hat-trick as Forres Mechanics smashed Strathspey Thistle 7-1 at Mosset Park on Saturday.

Man of the match MacPhee opened and closed the scoring as the Cans picked up their first points of the season after defeats to Brora Rangers, Rothes and Inverurie Locos.

Forres Mechanics (2) vs Keith FC (1) at Mosset Park, Forres. Highland Football League 24/11/18...Forres Mechanics' Allan MacPhee is closed in by Keith midfielder Bradley Manson...Picture: Daniel Forsyth. Image No.042655.
Forres Mechanics (2) vs Keith FC (1) at Mosset Park, Forres. Highland Football League 24/11/18...Forres Mechanics' Allan MacPhee is closed in by Keith midfielder Bradley Manson...Picture: Daniel Forsyth. Image No.042655.

He said: “I’ve scored a couple of doubles but never a hat-trick so I’m very pleased with that.

“I feel fitter than I was last season so I think that’s a big thing. I’ve been at training all the time and I think that has helped too.

“I got eight goals in my first season but with being in and out of the team with work last campaign I only got one. I’d be happy with eight to 10 this season.”

MacPhee’s first on Saturday was simple – but he was in the right place at the right time to tap home Martin Groat’s pass for 1-0.

And the midfielder made it two when he slotted in from Robbie Duncanson’s quick free-kick just after the half hour.

He had to wait for his hat-trick but, with 12 minutes remaining, a cracking 25 yard strike after cutting in from the left hand side made it 7-1 to Forres and ensured he took the match ball home.

Now MacPhee hopes this result can help Mechanics kick on. He added: “We can definitely get back up the table. The performances have been good, against Caley Thistle on Tuesday (3-1 loss at Caledonian Stadium) we were good but had no luck.

“I think we will do well for the rest season and gather a few points up.”

Manager Charlie Rowley has been delighted with the work of MacPhee, who is supposed to work every second Saturday but has been taking days off as holidays to play for the Cans.

He said: “Allan has been outstanding from day one of the season. He has come back with the bit between his teeth and is physically stronger and having more impact on a consistent basis during the 90 minutes.

“He was a threat from minute one and quite rightly got man of the match.”



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