Clachnacuddin 2 Forres Mechanics 0: Goal in either half as Cans lose at Clach
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FORRES Mechanics' difficult run of form continued on Saturday as a goal in either half saw them go down to a 2-0 defeat at Clachnacuddin.
Harry Hennem's 17th minute strike gave the hosts the lead at Grant Street Park, before ex-Can Paul Brindle's chipped effort sealed the three points in second half stoppage time.
Mechanics boss Steven MacDonald said: "The conditions were very difficult first and foremost.
"They had the wind in the first half and it died down in the second, which was unfortunate.
"They got their goal and got ahead, but we were hopeful we'd come back into it in the second half. We stuck at it, but it was difficult.
"I was happy enough with the commitment and the boys kept at it, but we got a sucker punch at the end.
"We are disappointed to lose a game that we wanted to win."
A 10-minute downpour right on kick-off created difficult conditions in Inverness for the match – with the pitch cutting up.
Clach took the lead on 17 minutes when Hennem's side-footed effort from 12 yards floated into the top corner.
The home side were on top with the wind behind them, and Dale Wood had to be sharp to challenge Connor Bunce after half an hour.
Clach almost doubled their advantage 10 minutes before the break when Forres were caught sleeping at a free-kick – but James Anderson's header came back off the post and landed in Stuart Knight's grateful hands.
Forres only real chance of the first half came on 38 minutes when Shaun Morrison's effort was beaten away by Martin Mackinnon.
The Cans dominated the majority of the second period, especially after Lee Fraser's shift to centre forward, but couldn't find a way through.
Callum Johnston's effort within seconds of the restart was parried behind by Mackinnon, and Ben Barron's free-kick on 62 minutes was gathered at the second time of asking by the Clach keeper.
Forres hit the right-hand post twice in the last 15 minutes, first when Craig Mackenzie smashed Barron's pass against the upright from 10 yards on 78 minutes.
With seconds left of the 90 minutes, Martin Groat saw his effort from Mackenzie's cutback deflect and come back off the upright.
Mechanics were dealt a sucker punch four minutes into added time when Paul Brindle, who moved to Clachnacuddin in the summer from Mosset Park, went through and lofted a wonderful chip over Stuart Knight's head.
Forres welcome Banks O' Dee to Mosset Park on Saturday afternoon.
