Race for big prize heats up

Mosset Tavern 1 (Euan Girvan) Carisbrooke 1 (Chris McMahon)

The AJG Parcels Forres and Nairn Welfare title race took more dramatic twists and turns this past week, as the Carisbrooke dropped two very crucial points in their last league game against the Mosset Tavern on Wednesday. Needing a win to leave only Elgin Thistle in with any chance of overhauling them at the top of the table, the Carisbrooke could only take a point away from the game. Chris McMahon came on as a sub and cancelled out Euan Girvan’s 23rd goal of the season for the hosts.

The three teams who still have a mathematic chance of snatching the league crown from the Brookie are Carlton, Jackos, and Elgin Thistle. Carlton were not in league action this week, and need to win their remaining two games against both Thistle and FC Elgin to become champions. Jackos have one game left after they were awarded their game against Nairn Wanderers scheduled for Friday, due to Wanderers failing to get a team together. That game is against Thistle, but their fate lies outwith their hands even if they win that game. Thistle’s third game in hand as well as the two against Carlton and Jackos will be the Elgin derby with FC Elgin. They did play 75 minutes on Friday night but the fading light saw the rest of the game unplayable, therefore a replay will be required.

Nairn Utd 2 (Lewis McLaughlin, Ryan MacPherson) Uncle Bobs 8 (Graeme Mackinnon, Gary Mightens (2), Own Goal, Alfie Annand, Steven MacDonald (2), James MacMillan)

In the only other league game to be completed this past week, it was a goal frenzy in what was to be the last Nairn derby of the season. Uncle Bobs took the glory on this occasion as they hammered United for eight at the Riverside on Friday. Braces from Gary Mightens and Steven MacDonald helped Bobs stroll to victory, with goals from Graeme Mackinnon, Alfie Annand, James MacMillan and an United own goal putting shine on the performance. Lewis McLaughlin and Ryan MacPherson gave United a bit to cheer as their season came to an end.

Uncle Bobs 3 (Steven MacDonald, Graeme Mackinnon, Joe Bain) Elgin Thistle 2 (Nick Willetts, Sean Blacklaw)

In the Taxi 24/7 McIntosh Rosebowl, Uncle Bobs ended Elgin Thistle’s run of reaching every final since their debut in the Forres and Nairn ranks last season with a last-gasp victory at the Riverside on Sunday. With Jackos forfeiting their scheduled tie in Forres with the Carlton not long before kick-off in Nairn, both teams were fired up to reach the final, being held at Borough Briggs on the 5th October. Steven MacDonald for the hosts and Nick Willetts for the visitors had the game level at half-time. Thistle struck first in the second half with Sean Blacklaw provided the finish, before Graeme Mackinnon, a half-time substitute, guided home the equaliser for Bobs. Thistle found themselves playing the closing stages with 10 men as Zac Vale picked up a second yellow card, and Thistle looked to have weathered the storm and hold on for the penalty shoot-out. But with seconds remaining, Joe Bain got the winner for Bobs who now look to regaining the trophy they won in 2010.

Fixtures this week:

Thursday, September 27 - AJG League; Elgin Thistle vs Carlton; 5:45pm kick off, Pinefield, Elgin; Sunday, September 30 September - League; Jackos vs Elgin Thistle; 4pm kick off, Riverside, Nairn.