Forres Mechanics 2 Clachnacuddin 1: Cans set up Moray derby in Highland League Cup semi-final
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A MORAY derby awaits Forres Mechanics in the semi-final of the Highland League Cup after a 2-1 victory against Clachnacuddin at Mosset Park last night.
Goals from Paul Brindle and Dale Wood secured a hard-fought win for Steven Macdonald's side.
The Cans will host Buckie Thistle, who beat Inverurie Loco Works 1-0, on March 12 as they attempt to reach a first cup final a decade.
"It was a cup tie and you've got to get through it," Steven Macdonald said. "We were hanging on a bit at the end but that happens.
"There were so many positives to take. I was really pleased with the togetherness of the players.
"If they start showing that will to win throughout games and play at that tempo then we'll be OK.
"Buckie is a semi-final so it's game on, it keeps the season going and gives us something to look forward to."
Quarter-final day got off to the worst possible start for Mechanics when they learned that they'd be without five players – all players signed since December – due to registration issues.
That meant a full 90 minutes for youngster Jack Craib, as well as for twins Lee and Graham Fraser who were just back from holiday.
But it was Mechanics who started the brighter, with Allan MacPhee going close from 35 yards after Clach keeper Martin Mackinnon had rushed off his line to clear a ball over the top.
The deserved lead came on 26 minutes thanks to a superb finish from Paul Brindle. The forward controlled Owen Paterson's cross with his knee before acrobatically turning it in with an overhead kick.
The hosts didn't have long to wait to double the lead. After Joe Gauld's shot was blocked behind for a corner, Callum Johnston's dangerous set piece was cleared as far as Dale Wood to drill home his first Cans goal.
At the end of what was almost a perfect 45 minutes for Forres, Clach got themselves right back into the tie.
A cross from Riley Mackenzie deceived Forres keeper Lee Herbert and landed at the back post for Connor Bunce to bundle home and half the deficit.
The second half brought few chances for either side, with Forres best coming on the hour mark when Dale Wood headed another dangerous Callum Johnston corner over at the back post.
Clach put some pressure on in the last five minutes, with Herbert having to be alert to claw Lewis Mackenzie's overhit cross away from under the crossbar, but Mechanics held on to progress.
Macdonald added: "We played really well in the first half. It was actually just about the perfect half but we spoilt it with that goal right on half-time.
"That made the second half nervier, whereas at 2-0 we would have been comfortable.
"In a cup tie, you've got to show the willingness to get through and we did."
Mechanics are set to face Inverurie Loco Works at Mosset Park this weekend, before a league match with Brora Rangers next Wednesday.
They'll again be without centre-back Ruari Fraser (calf), Tom Brady (hamstring) and Jack Brown (head) for Saturday.
However, there will have a fuller squad with new Inverness Caley Thistle loan signings Kenny Macinnes and Ben Barron in line to make their debuts.
