Gers loom large on Cans' horizon

Clachnacuddin 3 Forres Mechanics 1

Scorers: Martin Callum(44, 53), Allan Pollock (69) Scorers: Scott Lawrie(77 pen)

Forres boss Charlie Rowley questioned if the Rangers effect played a part in his side going down 3-1 to Clach but in the end he felt that the Can Cans inability to take advantage of their first half pressure was the primary factor in the loss.

Looking back at the game Rowley mused, “I’m hoping all the talk of the Rangers game is not an issue in taking the players’ minds off their game, I don’t think it is but in hindsight it could be.

“Having said that we cannot be downbeat, credit to Clach, they have improved and showed great athleticism but we have to raise our performances as there is obviously plenty to aim for in the coming weeks.

“Our mind has to be on League and North of Scotland Cup Semi Final business, the full concentration is on that. It is a very big game against Keith at home on Friday then Nairn County on the Tuesday after so it is important we come back onto our game.”

Forres were the dominant force in the first half but still came in a goal down at the break and that disappointed the gaffer, “Up to the 18 yard line we were good but simply not good enough in their penalty area

“We didn’t get our noses in front at the end of all our pressure and the wind the way it was, we needed that lead at half time. Clach scored against the run of play before half time and they went on to be the better side in the second half and I was disappointed with our play in that 45 minutes

“We missed the presence of Simon Allan, he is a key player for us. We could’ve risked Martin Mc Mullan but we decided not to as we feel he will be more fully fit for Friday night’s game against Keith. Hopefully we get all our key players back as we need to find a settled team

Forres Mechanics returned from Grant Street empty handed on Saturday as the home team claimed a valuable three points to go joint top of the fledgling Highland League table. In what was effectively a game of two halves, Clachnacuddin coped better in the blustery, windy conditions to run out 3-1 winners.

With manager Charlie Rowley’s words “the individuals who have the jersey just now have to show that I can’t leave them out”, it was Forres Mechanics number 7 and lifelong Rangers fan, Scott Moore, who started brightest for the champions.

Some skillful footwork drew a scything challenge from opposition right back Struan Woodhouse and as a result the Clach number 2 was booked with only 7 minutes on the clock. Moore was at it again six minutes later as a jinking run saw him lay the ball inside to Kyle Scott whose 20 yard effort was well held by goalkeeper John Campbell.

On the quarter of an hour mark, Forres Mechanics came close to opening the scoring. Ryan MacKintosh capitalised on some indecision in the home midfield and his 25 yard strike came back off of the stanchion of the left hand post and crossbar.

The Clach goal was leading a charmed life and the same piece of woodwork was to deny Forres the opening goal just three minutes later. Scott Lawrie dusted himself off after earning the visitors a free kick and curled a beautiful free kick from all of 24 yards but watched in amazement as the ball rebounded back into the play as Campbell stood helpless.

A Scott Lawrie cross in the 36th minute was headed over the bar by Kyle Scott as Forres questioned whether this was going to be their day. As has been seen in football so many times and despite Forres having the majority of the play, it was Clach who opened the scoring as the clock entered stoppage time at the end of the first half.

A hopeful long ball into the wind from Graham Tatters was chested down by Scott Graham into the path of Martin Callum and the Clach number 11 hit the ball first time into the top right hand corner of Stuart Knight’s goal.

With their tails up and the wind behind them, Clach almost doubled their lead three minutes into the second half as Allan Pollock, skipped through a static Mechanics defence to fire the ball narrowly over the bar. A second goal for the home team seemed inevitable and Scott Graham threatened in the 50th minute when everyone inside Grant Street, with the exception of the match officials, were drawn to a stray dog running around the pitch.

However, Clach did not have much longer to wait for a killer 2nd goal as a fine run down the left hand side by Tatters saw his cross met by a glancing header by Martin Callum for his 2nd goal of the game. The tie was over as a contest on the 69th minute as Allan Pollock was allowed to collect the ball unchallenged and smashed a thunderbolt into the top corner of the net to put the gloss on a Clach win. Having been a signing target for the Mechanics last term Pollock would later describe the goal as the best he has ever scored.

Forres were able to grab a consolation late on as Clach number 4, Alistair MacLeod was adjudged by the far side assistant referee to have handled the ball. Scott Lawrie stepped up and drilled the penalty straight down the middle to maintain his “goal-a-game” average in the Highland League this season.

The Forres faithful will be hoping that this fine goal scoring run from the former Kelty Hearts striker can continue on Friday as Keith visit Mosset Park looking to continue their fine run of form at the home of the Mechanics. However having drawn with Fort William at the weekend they Maroons come into this game with just one victory to their name this term, that one coming against Rothes.

Clachnacuddin: J Campbell, S Woodhouse, G Tatters, A Macleod, B Milne, M Dougal, C Ross, A Pollock, S Urquhart (M Kennedy 85), S Graham, M Callum (S Morrison 83), Subs: S Davidson, P Brindle, D Harrison

Booked: S Woodhouse (7) C Ross (60) Sent off: -

Forres Mechanics: S Knight, G Fraser, C McGovern, G Grant, N Sharp, R Macpherson (M Davidson 67), S Moore (R Green 81), F Bremner, S Lawrie, K Scott, R Mackintosh (K Duguid 75) Subs: S Fraser, C Stuart

Booked: N Sharp (30) Sent Off: -

Referee: Martin Kerrigan

Gazette Gold Star: