Forres 6 Huntly 1: Perfect week ends with thumping win
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THE seal was put on a nigh-on perfect week for Forres Mechanics with the 6-1 routing of Huntly at Mosset Park on Saturday.
The Cans, who beat Nairn County 3-0 away on Wednesday and Lossiemouth 5-4 at home last Saturday, made it nine points and 14 goals in a week with a comfortable victory. Mechanics are also now the Highland League’s top goal scorers with 49 strikes in 16 matches.
In unusual circumstances, Forres’ goalkeeper was Euan Storrier – who has been on loan at Huntly this season but was recalled, for one game only, to play against the Aberdeenshire side. Storrier is now back at Huntly and could play in the Aberdeenshire Shield on Wednesday.
Perhaps the most important change for Forres, however, has been in midfield where Declan Hughes, on loan from Ross County, has dropped deeper to play alongside Jordan Milne.
Manager Charlie Rowley said: “We have tried to tighten things up a wee bit and play Declan and Jordan as the holders and allow Robbie Duncanson a freer role.
“Declan got two goals and Jordan Milne got his first goal in a long time.
“They complimented themselves with a really solid, hard-working, quality performance. You need your centre midfielders playing at the highest level to get any momentum in his league.”
Forres had the game all but won within 20 minutes on Saturday, with an early double from Declan Hughes setting them well on their way.
First the 19-year-old headed home Allan MacPhee’s cross on seven minutes, before tapping in a rebound on 13 minutes after Stuart Soane's low strike was parried by John Farquhar.
It looked all but over three minutes later when Robbie Duncanson fired a 25-yard screamer into the top right-hand corner.
Huntly, who had more shots in the match, grew into it but Allan MacPhee’s goal after Soane’s through ball made it 4-0 before the break.
Jordan Milne ensured there was no second half let up as he headed in the fifth from Simon Allan's corner on 48 minutes, but Huntly grabbed a consolation with 20 to go when Declan Milne scored a penalty.
Ross MacPherson was adjudged to have fouled Milne, who got up and scored the spot-kick himself.
Lee Fraser put the cherry on the cake five minutes from time as he turned his marker and fired low past Farquhar.
Rowley added: “We played extremely well and topped off a really positive week for us in terms of goal scoring – and with nine points. Things are certainly on an upward curve in terms of all-round performances.”
