Forres Mechanics under-16s clinch Highland League Moray title after ten-goal victory at Mosset Park
A ten-goal victory wrapped up title glory for a Forres Mechanics youth team.
Cans’ under-16s clinched the Highland League Moray crown after a strong campaign which saw them win ten of their 12 matches.
A thumping 10-0 win at home to Balloan Athletic ensured that Mechanics couldn’t be caught by nearest rivals Elgin City.
“They are a great group of lads who thoroughly deserve their league win,” said lead coach Mark Pennie.
Victory was never in doubt in sticky conditions at Mosset Park, as Josie Sidebottom and Euan Walker scored hat-tricks and Kuba Stasiak, Ross Kinnaird, Ali MacPherson and Ben Fraser got one each to bring up the double figures.
The title, however, did not come without some rocky moments and struggles along the way. A very heavy defeat to Clach in a pre-season friendly was a rude wake-up call and new faces were brought in to provide some depth to the squad.
“Once the players got used to each other and how we wanted them to play, they went from strength to strength with some great goals, performances and results,” Pennie added.
“The manner of the victory against Balloan was icing on the cake.”
Forres won the seven-team division which also includes Keith, Nairn County, Rothes and Lossiemouth.
Their only defeats came at home to Keith and away to Nairn, with the league double over Elgin including a 5-0 away victory proving crucial.
Mechanics head of youth development, Allan Frisken said it was a pleasure to see the team progress through the season.
“They did themselves and their coaches proud. Mark and his colleagues, Steven Hamilton and Mike Grant, have done a fantastic job pulling together a squad which contains some very strong personalities into a unit which really is all for one and one for all.
“I can’t praise the three of them – and all of our other coaches - highly enough. They put in the hours in all weathers, unpaid, week after week. They don’t do it for the glory, but it’s great when some glory comes the lads’ way.”