Lossiemouth 0 Forres Mechanics 3: Second-half goals win Moray derby for Can-Cans
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AN IMPRESSIVE second-half performance saw Forres Mechanics to a 3-0 Moray derby win over Lossiemouth at Grant Park.
After a combative first half which saw few chances at either end, a Lee Fraser penalty opened the scoring for Mechanics just after the hour mark.
An own goal from Lossie centre-back James Leslie minutes later and a last-gasp strike from substitute Shaun Morrison sealed the points for the Can-Cans.
Manager Steven MacDonald said: "We were on top in the first half but just lacked a bit of quality in the last third.
"Thankfully we got the goals in the second half because they are a tough team, Lossiemouth, and they showed that. It was a really difficult game.
"The target was to get six points (from the first two games) so we are delighted."
Forres started the brighter of the two sides – with two half-chances in the first five minutes. First, Craig Mackenzie's low strike after a corner was blocked, before Ethan Cairns raced through but dragged a shot across goal.
Lossiemouth had a half-chance of their own when Brandon Hutcheson's header was glanced wide on eight minutes.
The best opening of a first period that was otherwise devoid of much goal-mouth action fell to Mackenzie on the half hour mark, but he was blocked out twice after being played through well by Cairns.
Lossie had a chance to get their noses in front on the hour mark when Hutcheson's ball over the top almost set Ross Elliot through, but the striker was beaten to the bouncing ball by Cans goalkeeper Lee Herbert.
Forres took the lead two minutes later from the penalty spot. Ryan Farquhar fouled Mackenzie on the byline and Lee Fraser – playing at centre-back – stepped up to put the spot kick into the top right-hand corner.
The Cans doubled their advantage quickly after the restart. Lively substitute Shaun Morrison raced through on goal before his square pass across the six-yard box was turned into his own net by James Leslie.
The Coasters missed a huge chance to reduce the deficit with 15 minutes left on the clock when a drilled cross was turned wide by sub Fraser Forbes from a matter of yards.
The cherry was put on the icing for Forres four minutes into time added on when Morrison sprung the offside trap a fired into the top corner when through one-on-one.
Goalscorer Morrison was pleased with his contribution of the bench.
He said: "The manager took me aside before the game and said Calum (Frame) and Dylan (Lawrence) scored last week and Ethan (Cairns) played amazingly when he came on.
"There was nothing for me to complain about, they did play excellent, so I was quite happy.
"I came on with about 40 to go, I wanted the penalty but Lee (Fraser) is the captain and he makes the decisions, and I was trying to claim the second! The third – I think I was offside – but it was a good finish.
"Boys coming off the bench have to prove a point and that is what we have done this week and last week."
Forres have no game this weekend due to Inverurie Loco Works' involvement in the cup. Their next game is away to Buckie Thistle on Wednesday, August 16.
