PICTURES: Forres Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald said big Cans win was coming as Mosset Park club end 10-game barren run in style with thumping success at Keith's Kynoch Park
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Forres Mechanics put their 10-game winless streak to bed with a 6-2 success at Keith on Saturday.
Frustrated by missed chances costing his team numerous points since their last success on January 7, manager Steven MacDonald knew his men would punish someone.
It was hosts Keith who were on the receiving end as doubles by Shaun Morrison, Lee Fraser and Ben Barron ended Cans’ sticky patch convincingly.
“I’ve been thinking for a few games now that someone was going to pay for it with the chances we have been creating,” MacDonald said.
“We didn’t play that differently on Saturday but took the chances which was the big difference and gives you the confidence to go on when you get a couple of goals.”
Morrison and Barron started the game on the bench, with Morrison coming on as an early sub when Jack Grant limped off.
“We had started the game well so when Jack went off, rather than go like-for-like in the middle we put Shaun upfront,” said MacDonald.
“He scored within two minutes and got another before half time so that worked out well for us.
“Ben has been struggling with a hip injury for a few weeks and it was only during the week that he felt he was maybe making a breakthrough with it. He has been doing a lot of his own training, trying to build it up.
“He looked really hungry when he came on and it was great to see him scoring goals again. You could see it was a relief for him as well.
“That’s him up to 15 league goals which is a great return for an 18-year-old in his first full season in the Highland League.”
Centre back Fraser also bagged a brace from setpieces to add to the Maroons misery.
Cans, who climbed back up to eighth place with last weekend’s success, have two matches left to play.
They host leaders Buckie Thistle on Saturday, and finish their season away to champions Fraserburgh on April 15.
MacDonald wants his men to show they can match the best teams in their final two games, and sees great potential in his squad for the next campaign.
"We are just trying to progress. I don’t have a lot of time when teams raise themselves for a one-off game but equally I hope we can make it a tough game for Buckie this Saturday.
"Everyone is signed up until at least the end of next year but we are trying to add to that as well and get some players tied up on extensions.
"There is a lot of potential in this Forres team and some good young boys so it is all about keeping them together."
Among the Forres young guns are four current loan players.
Caley Thistle teenage goalkeeper Corey Patterson has come in to deputise for Stuart Knight and Robbie Donaldson, who are both injured.
Fellow Inverness prospect Ethan Cairns returned to Mosset Park recently for a second loan spell, joining Ross County pair Ryan MacLeman and Connall Ewan.
"Corey is a young lad who has come in and tackled a big step up. He looks like a talented goalkeeper and he will benefit from more experience," MacDonald added.
"We will see what happens with our loan players for next season."
