North junior football: Dufftown hand interim management team a perfect start with 6-0 win at Glentanar while Islavale impress new boss and Lossiemouth United win crucial promotion battle with Deveronside
Dufftown juniors handed their interim management team a perfect start with a thumping 6-0 victory in Aberdeen.
Following manager Michael Dunn’s switch to neighbours Islavale, Dufftown appointed his assistant Ross Elder in temporary charge, with experienced player Kris Duncan helping out as first team coach.
The caretaker duo couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to their roles as their team delivered a 6-0 victory at Glentanar in the Championship on Saturday.
Fresh from beating Premier League big guns Hermes 2-0 in the cup, the Speyside outfit continued their momentum with on-loan Forres Mechanics striker Kieran Hayllar repeating his two-goal haul from a week earlier.
All the goals came in the second half, with Hayllar heading in the opener then firing home number two soon after.
The teenager had a chance to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot but his effort was saved, but Nathan Scott followed up to score the rebound.
An own goal made it 4-0 and player coach Duncan came on and scored with his first touch, a delightful lob to make it 5-0.
Finally, fellow sub Ryan Morrison found the net to give Dufftown a resounding victory.
Dufftown president Harry Officer said about the new managerial appointment on the club’s Facebook page: “They are well respected by both management and players and have a plethora of Highland League and junior experience between them.”
Elsewhere in the north juniors on Saturday, Dunn’s first game in charge of Islavale ended in a narrow defeat to Premier Division leaders Bridge of Don Thistle in the McLeman Cup.
The Aberdonians led 2-0 at the break before Vale produced a stirring revival to level through a Lucas Davidson penalty and a Mikey Simpson header.
Bridge of Don regained their advantage on 80 minutes and held on for a narrow victory in the end.
Lossie United posted a crucial three points to extend their lead at the top of the Championship.
James Johnston’s 77th minute strike earned a 1-0 victory at home to fellow promotion chasers Deveronside.
Burghead Thistle won 3-2 at home to Westdyke, with the visitors’ two goals coming in stoppage time.
After a goalless first half, Max Taylor fired Burghead in front after a John Ross drive was fumbled by the Westdyke keeper.
An own goal extended the home lead and a deflected Jamie Davidson volley made it 3-0 and seemingly points safe until two late, late strikes made Broch sweat it out.
Whitehills recorded their third league win of the season after a strong first half performance at Forres Thistle, who they join on ten points in the league table.
Jack Duncan netted from a seventh minute corner to give Hills the lead at Logie Park.
Ross Fiske then lobbed over for the visitors while Josh Stephenson went close for Forres.
Two goals in the closing six minutes of the first half put Whitehills in command, Jonathan Pratt scoring both with a terrific volley and a 12-yard finish from a Duncan assist.
Jags hit back in the second half, pulling a goal back on 55 minutes when Luca McCullie netted after keeper Lucas Farquhar saved Connor Aubrey’s shot.
Stephenson then hit the post ten minutes later as Forres chased a second.
They brought on former striker Brandon Hutcheson, who has returned to the club on loan from Highland League Lossiemouth and he soon released Aubrey for a shot just past the post.
The same two player combined two minutes later for Aubrey to score and make it 3-2, while Hutcheson fired wide after going straight through at the end for a chance to level the scores.
New Elgin saw a 2-0 lead disappear at home to Hall Russell United as the Aberdeen side hit back for a 4-2 success, scoring twice in the closing seven minutes.
Dean Stewart and Kasper Kwolik gave the home team a flying start for their 2-0 lead.
