Loch Ness celebrate victory away in North Caledonian League
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It was a big weekend for Loch Ness in their bid to retain the North Caledonian League title as they won 3-0 away at Golspie Sutherland.
What threatened to be a turbulent week for the club after they announced their intention to appeal against a points deduction and removal from the Football Times Cup for fielding an ineligible player, it was business as usual on the park for them at King George V Park.
Quickfire goals midway through the first half from Jake Lockett and Phil MacDonald saw them take a 2-0 lead.
Then, Allan MacPhee stepped up to convert a penalty just before half time, giving Loch Ness a three-goal advantage going into the interval.
With no further goals in the game, Shane Carling’s men claimed what could be a big three points by the end of the season away at one of the league’s big hitters.
It is Invergordon, though, who remain in top spot at this stage of the season.
They took on close rivals St Duthus at home, and picked up a 3-0 win of their own.
Similarly, a penalty helped Invergordon on their way to the success, with Kyle Maclean’s spot kick opening the scoring in the 14th minute.
Keith Mason then doubled their lead shortly before half time, with Invergordon clearly looking like the side in the ascendancy.
When Ken Morrison scored their third in the 53rd minute, then, the match as a contest was as good as over, and Invergordon comfortably held out for all three points.
So far this season Fort William have provided competition to the last two North Caley champions, but the former Highland League outfit’s bid suffered a surprising setback.
Even with home advantage, they struggled to find a breakthrough against Clachnacuddin A.
The Lilywhites took the lead in the 10th minute when Aidan Mackinnon scored a penalty, and for a long time it appeared as though they may hold out for an unlikely victory.
However, Andrew Mclean found the net in the 95th minute to save Fort William’s blushes, and get what they will still class as a disappointing point as they lost ground to Invergordon at the top.
Inverness Athletic were in the final match to go ahead last weekend, losing 4-2 to Orkney.
Athletic had gone two goals up thanks to Liam Smith and Aidan Hersee.
However, the islanders fought back strongly and turned the game on its head thanks to Gregor Dowell (2), Owen Young and Chris Simpson.
