PICTURES: Late goals help Hopeman defeat RAF Lossiemouth in Moray welfare top-of-the-table clash
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Hopeman have emerged as the new favourites to win the Moray welfare league after a stunning victory over leaders RAF Lossiemouth.
Two weeks ago the airmen held an eight-point lead over Hopeman at the top after winning their first ten league fixtures.
A first defeat against Thunderton last Friday ended Lossie's winning run, and Hopeman knew they had to take advantage when the teams met at Cameron Park on Tuesday night.
Read more: The rest of Tuesday night's welfare action.
In a thrilling, ding-dong battle, a flurry of late goals swung the contest Hopeman's way.
Dean Stevenson headed over from Lossie's first opening while Gary Burr did the same for the home team during an even start.
On 11 minutes, Jamie Lees chased down what looked a lost cause but keeper Connor Hutton’s clearance fell to Hopeman top scorer James McLaren wide on the left and he fired just over the bar from 30 yards out.
RAF Lossie's ace marksman Callum Devine was inches away with a drive at the other end.
Hopeman nearly opened the scoring on 15 minutes, Chris Ramage's header coming off the post and there was a scramble before the visitors managed to clear.
Ten minutes later Danny Gresham nodded over under pressure from a Lossie defender, with Stevenson going close with a header at the other end.
Finally a goal arrived on 37 minutes and it was the home side who drew first blood. Chris Cooper fired in a free kick from his own half and Gresham rose to send a looping header over Hutton into the net.
Hopeman stayed on top for the rest of the first half and went in at the break a goal in front.
James McLaren looked poised to score for Hopeman at the start of the second half until Dean McKellar made a fine last-ditch challenge on the edge of the 18-yard box.
But the scores were level on 51 minutes when Lossie broke up a Hopeman attack from a corner and swept upfield, Henry Jordan advancing to slip a pass through for Devine to drill past keeper Jamie Brown from the right side of the box.
Hutton then saved a Cooper free kick, while Lossie threatened to go ahead from Ethan Frost's through pass to Harry Williams, who fired just over.
Hopeman chased a second with Burr striking over and Stewart McLaren firing wide of the target when he looked poised to score.
Hutton saved well from Iain Lunan as time began to run out for the home side as the matched entered the final six minutes at 1-1.
A defensive header handed the homesters a corner kick which Burr delivered into the danger zone and S McLaren leapt highest to send a bullet header into the net, regaining Hopeman's lead.
But there was plenty more drama to come.
Within three minutes, the airmen retaliated with a dangerous attack leading to Dean Stevenson's drilled shot whistling just inside the post to make it 2-2.
That could easily have floored Hopeman but instead they went straight up the park in search of a third goal, and duly came up with the goods.
The ball arrived at the left foot of James McLaren and the striker crashed an unstoppable effort from 22 yards out past a helpless Hutton to spark wild celebrations in the home camp.
Again RAF Lossie hit back with a long range strike that Brown had to smartly deal with and prevent another equaliser.
With the visitors pushing on desperately, Hopeman broke up the park in stoppage time and Hutton came out to deal with a through ball but hesitancy between him and one of his defenders was punished by Hopeman sub Chris Grant, who steered a tight angle finish into the net from wide of the penalty area.
RAF Lossiemouth's lead at the top has shrunk to two points and Hopeman have a game in hand to try and snatch top spot.
Leading scorers:
23 - James McLaren (Hopeman)
13 - Callum Devine (RAF Lossie)
12 - Jamie Lees (Hopeman)
10 - Jordi Mackie (Lhanbryde)
8 - Chris Greene (Thunderton)
8 - Ethan Blanchard (Cullen)
8 - Jacob Imlach (Craigellachie)
8 - Kenzie Shepherd (Aberlour)
8 - Stewart McLaren (Hopeman)
7 - Gary Burr (Hopeman)
6 - Ryan Woods, Henry Jordan, Dean Stevenson (all RAF Lossie)
6 - Jordan Clark (FC Fochabers)
