Moray Welfare: Wins for Hopeman, Aberlour Villa and RAF Lossiemouth
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MORAY Welfare's Friday night action produced convincing victories for Hopeman, Aberlour Villa and RAF Lossiemouth.
Aberlour and Hopeman are the early pace-setters, with six points each from two matches, while Craigellachie and Cullen are yet to get off the mark.
Hopeman 5-2 FC Fochabers
Hopeman had FC Fochabers finished off within half an hour on Friday night thanks to a five-goal blitz.
The hosts took the lead within 15 minutes when Connor McArthur tapped in from close range shortly after Gary Burr's strike had hit the post.
Iain Lunan made it 2-0 on 20 minutes when he headed in Chris Cooper's cross, before Ross Elder made it three from close range before the 25th minute – tapping in a rebound after Dan Davidson's shot was saved by Kieran Burchell in the Fochabers goals.
Two minutes later and Hopeman went 4-0 up when the in-form Chris Cooper scored straight from a corner. The fifth went in on 32 minutes courtesy of Lee Spencer, who finished well into the bottom corner.
Fochabers opened their account on 38 minutes as Jordan Mackie set up Sean Petrie to score from eight yards.
John Leggat’s 25-yard free-kick provided further consolation for Fochabers – making it 5-2 with 10 minutes to play.
The free-kick took a wicked bounce, deceiving Hopeman goalkeeper Ryan Brindle, who managed to get a hand on it but couldn't keep it out.
Late on, local youngster Logan Mackenzie made his competitive debut for Hopeman and did well on his first outing.
Cullen 0-4 RAF Lossiemouth
Two goals in either half saw RAF Lossiemouth defeat Cullen away from home.
For much of the game there was not much to separate the teams.
Cullen almost went ahead through Russell McLaughlin in the first half an hour, before RAF Lossie hit on the counter to take the lead.
Logan Buick utilised his rapid pace to run beyond the Cullen defence and slot the ball away.
A Cullen mistake gifted RAF Lossie a second, with Logan Buick put through on goal once again to finish well to give his side a 2-0 half-time lead.
RAF Lossiemouth once again took their chances clinically after the break.
Cammy Newton put the away side 3-0 up on the hour mark, before Sam Watson made it four in the final minutes.
Aberlour Villa 5-0 Craigellachie
Aberlour moved level with Hopeman on points and goal difference with a convincing win over Craigellachie.
The first goal came from a superb strike from Darren Mitchell, who shot across the keeper high into the far corner from a tight angle.
David Blackhall doubled the lead for Aberlour before the break.
Marc Winchester's diving header at the back post made it 3-0 after half-time before substitute Barry Grant came off the bench to score a superb double and wrap up a fine Villa win.
