Balloan under-18s win at Nairn to open account in Highland League North
Balloan Thistle picked up their first win of the Highland League under-18 north campaign on Sunday, with a 4-2 win away to neighbours Nairn County.
Nairn had taken the lead on 21 minutes when Andrew Stewart finished off a well taken free kick, but a confident solo goal from Calum Douglas and a penalty kick scored by Fraser Imlack swung the game in Balloan’s favour.
The teams ended up level at the interval when Xander McAlpine equalised for County, but goals midway through the second half secured the points for the Inverness side.
On 67 minutes, Cian McAllister added the finishing touch to a strong break from Douglas, and 10 minutes later, Alfie Cruickshank headed home a corner.
At Grant Park in Tain, Inverness Athletic cantered to an 11-1 victory over local side St Duthus, with Flynn Harper and Oscar Beattie both netting hat-tricks during a heavy first half rout.
Athletic were seven goals to the good after 36 minutes, with Arran Holmes also getting his name on the scoresheet.
Both Harper and Beattie added to their tally during a quieter second half, while Ryan Walker and Seamus Henderson completed the scoring for the young Rooks.
Jonah Edwards netted the home side’s only reply 11 minutes from time.
At Simpson Park, Clachnacuddin had to settle for a draw against Keith after squandering a first half lead.
Jack Urquhart had the Lilywhites in front after just three minutes, but midway through the second half the home side managed to overturn the deficit and take the lead with goals from Philip Moks and Owen Squair.
Clach managed to salvage a point with seven minutes remaining thanks to a goal from Alfie Lobban.
Elsewhere, Wick Academy made easy work of Lossiemouth in a 3-0 home win, but it took them until the second half to break the deadlock, John Hooker netting on 58 minutes.
Jayden Bremner, scoring eight minutes later and then again four minutes from time, made sure of the win for the Scorries youngsters.
The only other game of the day ended in a 6-1 away win for Forres Mechanics against Alness United.
Fixtures for Sunday September 21:
Forres Mechanics v Wick Academy
Fort William v St Duthus
Inverness Athletic v Alness United
Lossiemouth v Keith and Clachnacuddin v Nairn County have been postponed due to the teams’ involvement in the Scottish Youth Cup.