Mechanics draw with Huntly after back-to-back games take their toll
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Forres Mechanics.........................1
Huntly............................................1
THE back-to-back big games seemed to take their toll on Forres, as they welcomed Huntly to Mosset Park in a game that, on paper, looked easier than the two that had preceded it.
Having praised his side following the midweek win over Formartine, Mechanics manager Charlie Rowley was disappointed by his side’s lacklustre performance, that left him accepting a point when the final whistle blew.
He praised the Tigers in his post-match assessment, but felt that his troops had failed to live up to their high standards. "From our own point of view, it was a below-par performance," he said. "It was unlike us, given our last two performances, and I am really disappointed with the way we performed today. I think they made it more than difficult, and they would be devastated if they didn’t go away with at least a point.
"They were a good side today in my opinion, but having said that, they didn’t really put Stuart Knight under any real pressure. Defensively we are getting close to where we expect to be, they didn’t really create clear-cut openings, and we defended really well because we had to."
Despite feeling that his team could have scored more early on, he reiterated the belief that a victory would not have been fair on their opponents. Rowley added: "I think we should have been in front before we were; Ross Macpherson had a great chance to score with a header, but I was happy to come in at half-time 1-0 up because we hadn’t really played well.
"The second half was in the same vein, and it was really below the standard that we expect at this club. We were hanging on in the end, hoping for a scrappy victory, but unfortunately Huntly got the goal they deserved in the end, and they certainly deserved at least a draw."
Despite the rigours of the midweek match, the Mechanics named an unchanged line-up, with Ross Macpherson, Duncan Jones and Simon Allan all proving their fitness in the build -up to the match.
Two out of the three were involved in a move that could have led to the opening goal. Duncan Jones picked up the ball on the right wing and clipped a cross invitingly into the six-yard box, where it was met by Ross Macpherson, but he failed to hit the target.
Halfway through the half, the goal duly arrived. Kyle Scott showed great skill to trap a Stuart Knight kick-out before turning his man, Simon Scott, and poking the ball across goal for Ross Archibald to maintain his impressive scoring record.
The Mechanics never looked entirely comfortable, though, and Neale Davidson should have done better with a 10-yard effort that flew wide of the mark as the half drew to a close.
At the start of the second half, Davidson turned provider with a great whipped cross that was met by the returning David Booth, but the red-headed midfielder’s first-time effort flew just wide of the left-hand post.
While Forres created a couple of half -chances in the second period, it was the visitors who were on top and who were probing at the home defence. Their pressure finally paid off just a few minutes from time, when former Aberdeen and Hibernian defender Michael Hart showed the desire required to meet a well flighted Michael Fyfe free kick and crash his header home in a crowded penalty area.
Full time score: Forres Mechanics 1, Huntly FC 1.
Forres Mechanics: Stuart Knight, Graeme Fraser, Stephen Fraser, Graeme Grant, Ross MacPherson, Duncan Jones (L. Fraser 68), Ross Archibald (W. Barron 78), Simon Allan, Scott Moore (M. McMullan 60), Kyle Scott, Craig McGovern. Subs: Ryan Mackintosh, Chris Stuart.
Scorer: Ross Archibald (28)
Booked: Scott Moore (36), Martin McMullan (76).
Huntly: Neil Hastie, Grant Campbell, Neale Davidson, Simon Scott, Michael Hart, Craig Dorrat (D. Stewart 90), Russell Guild, Mark Gray, Andrzej S. Kleczkowski, David Booth (A. Naismith 77), Michael Fyfe. Subs: Paul McCarthy, Alex Thoirs, Shaun Barney.
Scorer: Michael Hart (87).
Booked: Grant Campbell (65), David Booth (70).
Referee: Graham Beaton
Gazette Gold Star: Despite another impressive display from the back line, it was the livewire striker Ross Archibald who can wear the mark of merit with pride this week, as his tireless work rate and eye for goal continue to enhance his reputation with the Forres faithful.
