WATCH: FC Fochabers set up exciting run in to Moray Welfare title race with win at Villa Park
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FOCHABERS Rockets have blown the Moray and District Welfare title race wide open with a 4-2 win at Aberlour Villa on Friday night.
They moved level on points with their hosts after coming from 2-0 down to secure a vital three points at Villa Park.
This was Aberlour's third league defeat of the season and all three have come at the hands of Fochabers – and on home soil.
Friday night's game was due to be played at Fochabers but the playing fields are still recovering from the recent Speyfest music festival, so the game was switched to Villa Park.
Both sides are now on 24 points but Aberlour Villa lead on goal difference and have a game in hand over Fochabers.
However, the title is very much a three horse race after Hopeman beat RAF Lossiemouth 2-1. They are just two points behind both teams and have two games in hand on Fochabers and a game in hand over Aberlour.
It is going to be an exciting end to the season with Hopeman and Aberlour still to play each other twice and Fochabers and Hopeman will meet on August 26 on the final night of the league season.
A long range effort by Luke Gordon put Aberlour into an early lead and when Karl Harris fired in from a free kick, they looked to be on course for victory.
However, Fochabers recovered from their poor start and pulled one back when a John Gerrard cross deflected in off an Aberlour defender.
They were level before the break when Warren Orford broke into the box and smashed a left foot shot high into the net.
The Rockets maintained that momentum in the second half and Gerrard headed them into the lead.
James Higgins sealed the win when he climbed the highest to power in a header from John Leggat's superb corner kick.
Connor McArthur and Scott Wilson got Hopeman's goals in their win over RAF Lossie.
How they stand: Moray Welfare Abbeyside League
Team P W D L F A GD Pts
Aberlour 11 8 0 3 36 20 +16 24
Fochabers 12 7 3 2 38 24 +14 24
Hopeman 10 7 1 2 34 17 +17 22
Fixtures
Tuesday: Aberlour Villa v RAF Lossiemouth, FC Fochabers v Craigellachie, Hopeman v Cullen (All 7.15pm).
