Moray Welfare round-up: Head-to-head records used to decide tight league
HEAD-TO-HEAD records had to be used to decide who made the top six in a tightly-compact Moray Welfare League.
Thunderton’s 4-1 win over Lhanbryde United on Tuesday night saw them into sixth and into the top half of the league’s ‘split’. They edged out Cullen on head-to-head record, despite Cullen having a better goal difference.
Thunderton were 1-0 ahead at half-time against Lhanbryde thanks to a Russell Geddes effort and doubled their lead just two minutes after the break with a fine finish from Ethan Matthew.
The Elgin side were 3-0 up on 70 minutes when Steve Shand volleyed home and Ryan Munro made it 4-0 five minutes from time.
Lhanbryde grabbed a consolation in the 87th minute when Rory Topp ran onto a defence-splitting pass and finished low into the corner.
Tuesday night’s other match saw RAF Lossiemouth defeat Ugie 1-0. RAF Lossie needed a point to secure their top half finish, but grabbed all three with Danny Finley netting the winning goal.
Four matches took place on Friday (July 12). Cullen, who missed out on the top six by the narrowest of margins, were 3-0 winners over RAF Lossie, who went onto make the top six on Tuesday.
Cullen’s opening goal came when Calum Risk cut in from the right wing and finished at the near post for a 1-0 half-time lead. Taylor Smith added the second at the beginning of the second half, before Blair Robertson fired the third home on 75 minutes.
League leaders Buckie Rovers were 4-0 winners against Craigellachie. Rovers took the lead on 28 minutes with a tidy finish into the bottom corner by Ross Fiske.
Buckie went 2-0 up on 75 mins when Declan Clark scored from a set play. Ross Fiske added the third on 85 minutes with another finish into the bottom corner, before declan Clark added the fourth on 90 mins from a goalmouth scramble.
Aberlour Villa - who are chasing league leaders Buckie - were 7-0 winners against bottom side Seaforth.
Jay Morrison grabbed the first goal on 13 minutes, before a quickfire Barry Grant double made it 3-0 by the 33rd minute.
Grant turned provider to tee up Marcus Murray for the fourth goal, before Gary Morrison added a fifth before the half-time whistle had sounded.
Morrison scored twice after half-time to wrap up a hat-trick as Aberlour ran out convincing victors.
Friday’s final game saw Portsoy and Rothes ‘A’ - two sides nearer the foot of the table - clash.
Portsoy were 3-0 winners with Leyton Boyd and Clarke Thompson getting on the scoresheet and an own goal rounding off the scoring.
