Highland League results round-up: Brechin City edge past Huntly

Andy Kirk believes Brechin City will keep improving after edging out Huntly in an intriguing encounter at Christie Park.

Cillian Sheridan’s first half goal secured a 1-0 win for the Hedgemen in Kirk’s first Breedon Highland League fixture of his second spell as manager.

The result means City remain fourth in the table, six points behind leaders Brora Rangers, but with two games in hand.

Kirk said: “We’re delighted to get the win and keep a clean sheet. It’s the first league game we’ve had since I’ve come in so it’s a good start.

“I’m pleased with a lot of aspects, but there’s also a lot of room for improvement.

“The more games we get as a group then I think that improvement will come over time.

“But the players worked really hard, they were committed and they fought for each other which is the main thing.

“That’s really pleasing and I know we’ll get better the more time we have together and the more games we get.”

Brechin have made four new signings in the last week. Goalkeeper Andy McNeil and defender Lewis Martin both played 90 minutes against Huntly, but defender Callum Hannah and midfielder Kieran Inglis weren’t in the Angus outfit’s squad.

Kirk added: “It’s great to have Lewis back, I thought he was excellent and Andy looked secure in goal.

“They’ll both get more confidence as they play with the guys more and if we can add one or two more that will help us as well.”

Match action

Despite the incessant rain in the north-east in recent weeks the Christie Park pitch was in excellent condition.

Brechin had more possession in the first period, but Huntly didn’t give up too many chances.

Home captain Michael Clark’s timely intervention stopped Sheridan tapping in Grady McGrath’s delivery from the left, while Sheridan also failed to hit the target after Clark was short with a header back to goalkeeper Lenny Wilson.

At the other end Sam Robertson’s pass released his strike partner Brodie Allen on the right, but his angled drive was held by McNeil.

In the 26th minute City did open up the Black and Golds. Spencer Moreland’s cross from the left was touched down by McGrath for Mitch Taylor inside the penalty area, but Wilson was quickly off his line to block.

On 38 minutes the visitors broke the deadlock. Adam Hutchinson strode out of defence and his pinpoint pass picked out the run of Sheridan who rounded Wilson and scored.

After the break Brechin continued to probe.

Sheridan was flagged offside after heading home a McGrath free-kick, Moreland blazed over with a clear sight of goal inside the box and had a curling effort from 18 yards saved by Wilson, who also repelled McGrath with a block at close quarters.

There was no shortage of graft from Huntly, but the craft required to carve out good chances in attack was lacking.

Sub Matthew Wallace lashed a snapshot over from 15 yards and in stoppage time it looked like the Strathbogie side would be presented with the gilt-edged opportunity to equalise.

Hutchinson appeared to slip, which left sub Andy Hunter through on goal, but to the bewilderment of the home side referee Alex Ross ruled that the Brechin defender had been tripped.

Encouragement for Stewart

Huntly remain 10th after manager Graeme Stewart’s second match in charge.

He added: “I’ll need to see it (the stoppage time chance) again because I had no idea what was going on.

“I didn’t hear the ref whistling, if Andy’s clipped him it’s a foul, but it just looked like he (Hutchinson) fell over.

“It was a fair result overall, Brechin were slightly better than us, but there wasn’t too much in the game and I couldn’t fault my players’ efforts.

“I’m never happy getting beat, but I was happy with a lot of the game.

“The goal was disappointing and we wish we had created a few more chances, but I was happy with a lot of the game.

“I thought our defence was excellent, which is really encouraging and young Owen Morris came on as a sub and really impressed me.”

Brora Rangers 7-1 Strathspey Thistle

Champions Brora Rangers got back to winning ways by beating Strathspey Thistle at Dudgeon Park.

Connor Bunce, Shane Sutherland and Gary Pullen had the Cattachs three up in the first half and although Josh Race got on the scoresheet for the Grantown Jags, Tony Dingwall netted Brora’s fourth before half-time.

In the second half Sutherland scored his second and Brora’s fifth. Then Strathspey captain James McShane was sent off, before Sam Thompson netted twice to complete the scoring.

Brora remain at the head of the table with 52 points from 23 games.

Clachnacuddin 2-1 Buckie Thistle

Clachnacuddin remain third in the table after striking late to beat Buckie Thistle at Grant Street Park.

Debutant Jack Walker – who joined on loan from Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Thursday – netted for Buckie early in the second half.

Ben Corner restored parity with his first goal for the Lilywhites and Mikey Mackenzie grabbed the winner in injury time.

Clach have 47 points from 23 games, while the Jags are now in eighth spot after their third straight defeat.

Lossiemouth 0-4 Fraserburgh

Scott Barbour became the leading scorer at Highland League level in the 21st century as he netted a brace in Fraserburgh’s victory against Lossiemouth at Grant Park.

Bryan Hay opened the scoring for the Broch and Barbour doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time.

After the break Will Sim netted the visitors’ third and then Barbour struck again.

That double takes Barbour to 364 goals at Highland League level (296 for Fraserburgh and 68 for Formartine United) and moves him above Neil Gauld as the leading marksman since the turn of the century.

The Coasters are now winless in 11 matches going back to October 18.

Deveronvale 2-4 Rothes

Rothes defeated Deveronvale at Princess Royal Park to record their first win since November 2 2024.

Daniel Fraser gave the Speysiders the lead and Jake Thomson’s penalty doubled the advantage.

Michael Watson did pull one back for the Banffers, but Thomson struck again to restore Rothes’ two-goal lead.

Ryan Park got Vale’s second, but Rory Williamson’s late counter clinched Rothes’ first win in 45 matches under manager Ronnie Sharp.

The results means Rothes are now only six points adrift of Lossiemouth at the foot of the table and also have a game in hand.

Nairn County 1-1 Wick Academy

Nairn County and Wick Academy shared the spoils at Station Park.

Marc MacGregor had the Scorries ahead in the first half, but Ben Barron’s equaliser earned a point for the Wee County which lifts them up to seventh place.

Meanwhile, Formartine United v Banks o’ Dee, Keith v Forres Mechanics and Turriff United v Inverurie Locos were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

[Source: Press and Journal]