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Forres Mechanics 0 Fraserburgh 7: Second seven-goal thrashing in a week for Cans


By Jonathan Clark

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FORRES Mechanics were beaten 7-0 for the second time in a week on Saturday, with league leaders Fraserburgh cruising to a win at Mosset Park.

New manager Gordon Connelly was hoping for a reaction after a thrashing at the hands of Rothes in midweek – but it was more of the same as the Cans were convincingly beaten.

A four-goal haul from Paul Young was added to by a Scott Barbour penalty and strikes from Sean Butcher and William West to seal a win that was never in doubt.

"It's very difficult to take for the lot of us," said Connelly, who only had one training session with the players before the Rothes and Fraserburgh matches.

Forres Mechanics manager Gordon Connelly. Picture: Becky Saunderson
Forres Mechanics manager Gordon Connelly. Picture: Becky Saunderson

"We've played the top two teams in the league and you can see why, but we are miles off it.

"Forres Mechanics should not be getting beat 7-0 at home, no matter where teams are in the league. It's just not acceptable and I've told them that.

"I was nice on Wednesday, but we are asking people to come through the gates and pay their hard-earned cash to watch us.

"Do the players hurt? Do they really want to play for Forres Mechanics and are they good enough to? That's something I'll be looking at during the week.

"Fitness levels and confidence levels are down and the whole club is in a bit of a lull just now with the change over.

"I knew we'd need to strengthen the squad but I didn't realise there was such a lack of confidence. I was expecting a bit more of a reaction from the players coming in.

"But I've got to stand up and take the stick. Hopefully the players realise when we get a week's training with them that things have to improve."

Fraserburgh took the lead on Saturday within five minutes of kick-off – with Scott Barbour scoring from the penalty spot.

A long ball over the top had Barbour through on goal, only for him to be fouled by stand-in keeper Ruardhri Nicol. He slotted away the penalty coolly.

A tremendous goal-line clearance from Dale Wood, who later hobbled off injured, briefly prevented it from being 2-0 before Paul Young stroked home a Lewis Duncan cutback on 20 minutes.

The game was out of sight before half-time as Sean Butcher knocked in at the back post after a good move down the left from the Broch.

It was 4-0 just four minutes into the second period as Young slotted home Butcher's through ball, and the midfielder made it 5-0 before the hour mark as he robbed Gordon McNab and fired in from 25 yards.

Substitute Owen Loveland had Forres' only shot on goal just after the hour mark, but his close range effort was foiled by Broch keeper Paul Leask.

The sixth duly followed as William West's well-struck 25-yard effort caught Nicol off-guard, with Paul Young wrapping off his, and his team's, superb day to make it 7-0 on 80 minutes.

A trip to Wick Academy – who Connelly managed between 2014 and 2017 – is next for Mechanics on Saturday.

The new boss added: "We've got a week with the players now, but I think I'm probably looking to sit down with the club and see where we strengthen.

Gordon Connelly (checking watch) and assistant manager Steven Macdonald. Picture: Becky Saunderson
Gordon Connelly (checking watch) and assistant manager Steven Macdonald. Picture: Becky Saunderson

"We need to quickly get a system in place that is going to make us difficult to beat and build from there.

"Let's hope it (the Wick game) is a contest first and foremost because we haven't competed in the first two games.

"It'll be very tough, I know the team very well and they'll have seen our last two results and fancy their chances.

"They won at Huntly, which was a good result, and they'll want to build on that."

Alongside Dale Wood, Stuart Knight and Paul Brindle picked up injuries against Fraserburgh and are doubts.



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