Rowley's delight as Cans bounce back

Inverurie Locos 0 Forres Mechanics 2

FORRES bounced straight back from the midweek defeat at the hands of Clach with an impressive victory at Harlaw Park that included a clean sheet, a wonder goal and the emotional return to the scoring charts of Lee Fraser.

It was a different Charlie Rowley who spoke to the Gazette this weekend as he reflected on a perfect performance from his makeshift squad. He stated, “It is amazing what a difference four days can make.

“The games were like chalk and cheese and I have to say I didn’t really expect too much before the game given the number of individuals missing and especially from important areas on the park. I was not surprised by the result at the end of the game because we thoroughly deserved the result.”

Despite the loss to Clach and the fact several key players were unavailable Rowley never instructed his players to keep it tight, “I never said to them to go out and be defensive minded, not even to be more solid and to keep things tight in terms of shape. You always want to win every game but while I didn’t pass it on t the players before the game I did talk to Russell McFee as we went out and I admitted that I would have been delighted with a 0-0.

“What I did stress to the players was that I wanted to see them being in the opposition faces a lot more and not to let them settle or play. We did that from the first minute to the ninetieth and when you do that it gives you a platform from which to make an impression on the game.”

The impression came in the form of a stunning opening goal from Craig McGovern, one of two memorable moments for the Forres faithful. “I have not seen a goal to compare to Gov’s in terms of the dribbling, the composure on the ball and the strength in a long time. He is not the tallest but physically he can compete with anybody especially when the ball is at his feet.

“It was a great individual goal and it gave the team a real lift. It gave them something to hold on to, but from that point on I felt we were comfortably the better team. We had been edging it up to that point but the wondergoal set things up and the icing on the cake came when Lee scored.

“The comeback game against Rothes was something special but the celebration after his goal was a bit like the day we won the league. Everyone was there and to see his face lighting up when he score the goal was a rich reward for everyone who has played a part in his recuperation.”

It was a new look Mechanics side with Graham Fraser and Craig McGovern filling the full back berths eitherside of Kyle Scott and Steven Fraser. Duncan Jones and Ross Macpherson anchored the midfield with Martin McMullen, Ryan Mackintosh and Scott Moore working between midfield and the lone forward Ross Archibald.

Neither team went close to opening the scoring in the first half but the competitive spirit was clear as the Mechanics quickly gained three yellow cards. However the defining moments of the game were to come after the break.

Full back Craig McGovern dancing his way through a packed Inverurie Locos defence moving from midfield to the penalty area leaving a trail of Locos in his wake before slotting the ball past Andy Reid for one of the goals of the season.

Five minutes from time, an error from Andy Reid left teenager Lee Fraser to run in and easily slot the ball into the empty net for his first goal in over 14 months, ending a year long recovery from a training accident that shattered his kneecap.

With the entire squad and coaching staff running to the corner flag to congratulate the striker it was clear that the goal, as simple as it was, carried almost more meaning than the final result despite the win lifting the title holders into the top six.

Inverurie Loco Works: A Reid, S Park (M Souter 80), A Graham, C Bain, K Adams, R Broadhurst, C Ross, S Begg, N Gordon (A Bagshaw 70) S McKay (N Gauld 70), N McLean Subs: M Young, D Bell

Scorers: -

Booked: K Adams (48) Sent Off: -

Forres Mechanics: S Knight, G Fraser, S Fraser, D Jones, M McMullen, R Macpherson, R Archibald (L Fraser 75), S Moore (S Allan 72), R Mackintosh (D Howard 89), K Scott, C McGovern Subs: N Sharp, C Stuart

Scorers: C McGovern (65), L Fraser (85)

Booked: G Fraser (5), M McMullan (14), S Moore (16) Sent Off: -

Referee: G Fraser

Gazette Gold Star: It is hard not to select out one of the defence given that they kept the Locos at bay and fortunately it was left back Craig McGovern who provided the game with it’s moment of brilliance. The Mosstodloch lad is beginning to make his mark at the Mosset.

Things will not get any easier for the Can Cans this week as they get set to host Formartine United and then Huntly, both managed by former Forres players. Graeme Grant and Willie Barron both return while Nathan Sharp remains a doubt as he looks to recover from his head wound.