Buckie back on top the league
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BUCKIE Thistle are back on top of the Highland League after a 3-1 win over Forres Mechanics.
Jags came from behind in an eventful last half hour, with sub Scott Adams scoring twice including a brilliant free kick.
Manager Graeme Stewart says former Dundee United and Peterhead kid Adams is still learning the game but expects him to be one of the best players in the league.
"He won't like being that player coming on from the bench to make an impact," said Stewart. "But he's got to be a bit more consistent and learn the defensive side of the game.
"He's a young lad who's maybe not played regularly in his whole career but he's starting to get that regular football now so hopefully he will take things on board.
"If he does that, he'll be one of the best players in the league."
Forres were left with the consolation of a successful - and scoring - comeback for star striker Lee Fraser.
Out for more than 18 months due to cruciate knee surgery, the front man made Mechanics' starting line-up at Victoria Park.
After a goal-less first hour during which Buckie missed some good chances, Fraser broke the deadlock with a volley which spun over keeper Lee Herbert and dropped into the net.
Buckie responded by bringing Adams off the bench, and levelled five minutes later when Sam Robertson seemed to attempt a cross but the ball lofted over keeper Stuart Knioght and in at the post.
Within two minutes Adams pounced on a through pass to spin and drive Buckie into the lead.
The best was saved for last, with Adams swerving a perfect free kick from 25 yards into the top corner to seal the win.
While Buckie went top, Rothes also continued their climb with a 4-0 win at home to Keith to move into fourth place.
League table P W D L F A Pts
Buckie Thistle 10 9 0 1 27 9 27
Brora Rangers 9 8 0 1 35 4 24
Fraserburgh 9 7 2 0 36 11 23
Rothes 10 7 1 2 26 9 22
Formartine United 9 7 0 2 28 5 21
Inverurie Locos 10 7 0 3 28 18 21
Nairn County 8 5 2 1 17 13 17
Wick Academy 10 4 2 4 20 22 14
Keith 10 4 2 4 15 30 14
Strathspey Thistle 9 3 1 5 13 19 10
Forres Mechanics 9 2 2 5 20 22 8
Turriff United 10 2 2 6 15 28 8
Huntly 9 1 2 6 12 27 5
Deveronvale 8 1 1 6 8 17 4
Clachnacuddin 9 1 1 7 9 24 4
Fort William 9 1 0 8 9 32 3
Lossiemouth 10 1 0 9 4 32 3
Ali Sutherland continued his fine run of scoring with a hat-trick while Steven Anderson was also on target.
While two Moray teams are doing well at the top end of the table, Lossiemouth slipped to bottom spot with a 2-0 defeat at Clach.
A missed penalty by Lossie's Kevin Flett proved costly as Clach struck twice in the closing 20 minutes to record their first league win of the campaign and leapfrog their opponents in the table.
Huntly also claimed their first victory, with on-loan Elgin City defender Ashley Ballam scoring twice in their 3-2 success over Wick Academy.
Turriff United were 5-3 winners at Fort William while Inverurie Locos won 2-1 at Deveronvale on Friday night.
Grant Noble scored for Vale after Andy Hunter and Chris Angus put Locos 2-0 up.
Willie West's double won Fraserburgh ther Aberdeenshire Cup on the same night as they edged out Formartine United 2-1 at Cove.
