Forres Mechanics 1 Deveronvale 2: Cans' Vale win streak ends
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
FORRES Mechanics’ run of victories against Deveronvale was ended on Saturday as the Banff side won 2-1 at Mosset Park.
Goals from Colin Charlesworth and Robert Scott had ’Vale two ahead before Stuart Soane pulled one back for Forres.
The defeat ends a run of 12 successive wins over Deveronvale for Mechanics. It’s the first time ’Vale have beaten the Cans since 2010, and their first success at Mosset Park since 2004.
Forres manager Charlie Rowley was disappointed with his side’s performance, and praised the victors.
He said: “They did a great job on us in terms of their performance. They sat in when they needed to and defended really well.
“We were miles off the quality we have shown of late. We had a lot of territory without creating anything of note – maybe one shot from Callum Johnston and a set-piece from James Ross.
“Unfortunately the vast majority of our players didn’t perform to the level they can and inevitably we got what we deserved.”
A rasping free kick from James Ross and a curling effort from Callum Johnston were saved by ’Vale keeper Grant Pennet inside the first half hour, before Jody Munro spurned a huge chance to give ’Vale the lead when he side-footed over from six yards.
Colin Charlesworth made no mistake on 41 minutes, stroking underneath Stuart Knight from inside the box for 1-0 to the visitors.
Forres missed a big chance on 64 minutes when Johnston’s shot was deflected just wide and there was almost a calamity moment for Pennet as his clearance hit Robbie Duncanson – but the midfielder’s shot rolled across the line from a tight angle.
’Vale made Forres pay for those missed chances as Colin Charlesworth broke down the right and played a perfect ball in for the unmarked Scott to tap in from six yards at the back post for 2-0. Mechanics had their best spell at the death. Stuart Soane pulled one back as he held the ball in, turned and fired into the top corner on 85 minutes.
The Cans almost levelled it a minute later through Declan Hughes, but his shot was blocked at close range and ’Vale held on to move to within one point of Mechanics in the league.
Next up for Mechanics is a Moray derby with Lossiemouth, who moved off the bottom of the league with a 3-0 win over Turriff United on Saturday.
Forres have won seven in a row against Lossie, but Rowley is wary of their threat.
He added: “I said to the players if they thought this was a hard game it will be, in my opinion, a bit tougher against Lossiemouth. It’s always a well-contested local derby and they’ll be looking to build momentum after a good win.”
Mechanics have wide midfielder Niall Docherty, released by Brora Rangers, on trial. A decision on him will be made soon, with Lee Fraser and Calum Howarth expected back on Saturday.
