Lossiemouth 5 Clachnacuddin 3: Lossie hit four in 10-minute spell in eight-goal thriller
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
LOSSIEMOUTH scored four goals in a 10-minute blast en route to winning an eight-goal thriller against Clachnacuddin at Grant Park.
The Coasters scored their first goal in the ninth minute of Saturday's match – and were 4-0 up by the 18th minute after blowing their visitors away. Goals were scored by Ryan Stuart (2), Ross Morrison and Liam Archibald.
Clachnacuddin staged a comeback and had the game back within their grasp late on, making it 4-3 in the 83rd minute – but Ryan Farquhar's neat finish sealed the points for Lossie.
Manager Frank McGettrick was pleased with another victory, with his side now up to 11th in the Highland League and leading a tightly-compact group of eight teams at the bottom end.
"We are always encouraging them to shoot early, take a risk and don't worry about missing and we did that," McGettrick said. "We work a lot on finishing and hopefully this will encourage them.
"Naturally I was happy because we were scoring the goals and could have had a couple more – but Clach got back into it with a poor goal, from our point of view, from a free-kick and that gave them a lift.
"They had a real go second half and at 4-3 we were feeling the pressure. We have got to give Clach credit for getting back into it. They took risks and it nearly worked for them. I was really happy to see Ryan score the fifth."
McGettrick was pleased to see his side climb to 10 points clear of the bottom – and to the top of the pack of eight teams at the bottom of the league.
"The points difference from bottom to 11th isn't a lot so wins can make a big difference," he added. "We can all beat each other on our day."
Despite not being among the goalscorers, Brandon Hutcheson was rewarded for a good performance with a man of the match award.
McGettrick has been pleased with the versatile forward, who joined from junior side Forres Thistle in summer.
"Brandon has been doing well," he said. "His attitude is first class and has been since day one. He works hard for the team and does a lot of unselfish running out wide and will do a job up front or in midfield.
"We will keep encouraging him to have a pop at goal and his turn will come. As long as he works hard that's the important thing."
Lossiemouth are on the road on Saturday, taking on Turriff United at The Haughs.
McGettrick confirmed that Bailey Campbell will be out for the remainder of the campaign – and perhaps until Christmas 2024 – after an ACL injury.
Ross Elliot is due to be away for three months and Ryan O'Halloran will miss the next couple of matches with a knock.
