North junior football: Dufftown and Forres Thistle kick off season with goal blast
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The north junior football season got under way on Tuesday night with a round of Grill Cup fixtures.
Forres Thistle made it an unhappy return to the scene for Whitehills with a 7-1 win at Logie Park.
The Banffshire side had dropped out of the league in recent years and found things tough in their first game back.
Jags raced into a 6-0 lead through Matty Fraser, Toby Clark, Neil Moir (2), Alex Innes and Neil Owen.
Godwin Aluka notched 'Hills first goal since their return, before Moir completed his hat-trick for Forres.
In the same group, Islavale took the Premier Division scalp of Nairn St Ninian with a 2-0 win at Simpson Park.
New player/co-manager Robert Scott opened the scoring after half an hour and added a second late on to give the Keith side a great start.
Dufftown were on high-scoring form at Lossiemouth United, netting six without reply.
Euan Simpson kicked off the campaign with a hat-trick and former Highland League goal-getter Kris Duncan scored twice with Scott Bowie also on target for the Toonsers.
Burghead Thistle needed a last minute goal to edge the other match in the section, claiming a 2-1 Moray derby win at New Elgin.
After a goal-less first half. Burghead took the lead on the hour through a Finlay Nicol penalty.
Robert Forsyth levelled for New Elgin, before Nicol saw a second spot kick effort saved by home keeper Stephen Dey.
The game was heading for a draw until Kelvin Mackenzie scored a brilliant 25-yard free kick winner for Thistle right at the death.
Deveronside returned to action with a creditable 1-1 draw at Fraserburgh United, Shaun Sopel getting the 'Side goal.
Longside won 1-0 at Buchanhaven hearts in the other match in this section.
