Forres 1 Brora 3: Cans unlucky in Brora loss
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THE words of the two managers at the end of Forres Mechanics’ 3-1 defeat to Brora Rangers on Saturday told a tale.
The Cans, without eight players, might have gone down by two goals to the title favourites at Mosset Park, but Charlie Rowley was far from disappointed with the performance – while his opposite number Steven Mackay said his side fell “way below” expectations.
Forres started brightly but Brora took the lead on 30 minutes as Paul Brindle struck from ten yards after a goalmouth scramble.
Mechanics could have been level at the break. Trialist Callum Johnston was denied at point blank range before penalty appeals were turned away as Stuart Soane went down in the box.
The hosts levelled two minutes into the second half as Andy Macrae crossed for Soane to glance home, and Forres looked the more likely to take the lead – with Soane just over-hitting a cross for Macrae before Graham Fraser nodded a yard wide.
But Brora went 2-1 ahead through Jordan Macrae on 68 minutes and, on 74 minutes, it was game over as Kyle McLeod went down in the box under light contact from Ross Paterson and tucked away the penalty.
Mechanics had one last chance as Brora keeper Joe Malin superbly stopped Soane's powerful header from six yards.
The performance was far more pleasing than last week’s 4-1 defeat at Rothes – especially given the absence of Ryan Farquhar, Lee Fraser, Owen Paterson, James Ross, Ross MacPherson, Scott Miller, Allan Macphee and Moray Taylor.
Charlie Rowley said: “I thought we were as good as we could have been given the depleted numbers.
“We had a good defensive shape and a game plan which the players carried out to the letter of the law.
“I thought it was harsh going in 1-0 down at half-time – we conceded a sloppy goal. I thought we were the better team second half.
“The scoreline wasn’t a fair reflection on the game.”
Things don't get much easier on Saturday, with Mechanics facing a tricky trip to Inverurie Loco Works.
James Ross is back from holiday and Allan Macphee could return from injury.
