PICTURES: Forres Thistle give co-managers Lee Davidson and Chris Ross perfect parting gift with Glentanar victory but need Buchanhaven Hearts slip-up to gain Premier Division promotion
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Forres Thistle must wait until next Saturday to discover if they have been promoted to north junior football’s top tier for the second time in their history.
Jags handed co-managers Lee Davidson and Chris Ross the perfect farewell present by finishing their Championship campaign with a 4-0 win at home to Glentanar on Saturday.
The top five go up to the Premier Division next term and Forres currently sit fifth, with Buchanhaven Hearts one point behind with a game to play. The Peterhead side have an inferior goal difference so must win at Banks O’ Dee on Saturday to pip Jags to promotion.
Jags did what they had to do by seeing off their Aberdeen visitors with something to spare.
See gallery of Beth Taylor's pictures from the match below.
On-loan Forres Mechanics youngster Toby Clark struck the woodwork with a spectacular 30-yard effort and \Brandon Hutcheson, in his final game before joining Highland League Lossiemouth, was denied his 20th goal of the season by a good save after racing on to John Ross’ flick.
Ross opened the scoring on 35 minutes, taking a Neil Moir pass before smashing a rising 25-yard effort past a helpless Glentanar keeper.
Forres took a big leap towards victory before half time when Hutcheson was brought down in the box as he went clear on goal and the referee awarded a penalty and sent off the Glentanar defender. Sam Noble scored from the spot to put Jags 2-0 up at the break.
Thistle soon got the third with Noble running into the box before being fouled and the referee awarded another penalty.
This time club legend Charlie Beck stepped up and curled it into the corner despite Liam Gibb diving the right way, stretching the Forres lead to three goals.
It was left to Beck to put the result beyond any doubt by adding his second goal of the afternoon.
The veteran managed to beat the defence after a fine through ball and he expertly lofted the ball over the goalkeeper into the top corner of the net to clinch a 4-0 victory.
Forres team: McLeod, Clark, Milne (Mitchell 74), Gemmell, Robertson (Payne 60), Moir, Fraser, Noble (Grant 80), Ross (Hardie 60), Beck (Black 60), Hutcheson.
