Dingwall off the mark with win over Inverness as Balloan prove too strong for Alness in under-18 league
Balloan Thistle and Wick Academy have set themselves up as early pace setters in this year’s Highland Football League under-18 north section after good results in week two.
Champions Balloan Thistle made it two wins from two with a 7-1 victory over Alness United on Sunday, while the Scorries produced the goods away to Forres to win 3-2.
A five-goal rout from Bodhan Campbell was the highlight as Balloan put Alness to the sword, complemented by strikes from Lewis Gibson and Rhys Crampsey.
Brandon Beeston netted the lone reply for the Easter Ross side.
At Mosset Park, Matthew Robertson, Ben Durrand and Arran Bain each found the net to secure a hard-earned win for Wick.
Charlie Watson and Jake Newlands both scored for the home side in what turned out to be a close fought encounter.
At Lossiemouth, Clachnacuddin’s young guns bounced back from an opening weekend defeat to run out 6-1 winners.
Goals from Calum Donaldson, Alfie Forsyth, Connor Cornish, Jamie Hamilton and a brace from Daniel Macdonald put the game beyond the Coasters, who found the net once in reply through Cairn Lasley.
Elsewhere, Dingwall got off the mark in their opening fixture with an impressive 3-2 win over Inverness Athletic.
After dominating the first half, scoring two early goals courtesy of Ashton Addison and Blair Bigham, Athletic succumbed to a determined Dingwall side who netted through Ryan MacNamara, Leon Frame and Kieran Munro to turn the game on its head.
In the only other under-18 game of the day, Keith and North West Skye played to a 0-0 draw.
In the Highland under-16 ranks, Ross County and Clachnacuddin both added to their commanding lead at the top of the table, after bumper eleven goal wins on Sunday.
The Lilywhites took no prisoners as they beat Fort William 11-0 at Bught Park, while Ross County humbled hosts St Duthus in a 12-1 win.
Elsewhere, Inverness Athletic recorded a 2-1 win over Wick Academy and Balloan beat Alness United by 3 goals to 2.
Fixtures for Sunday September 1:
Under-18 North:
Alness United v Lossiemouth
Dingwall v Balloan Thistle
Inverness Athletic v Rothes
Nairn County v Buckie Thistle
North West Skye v Forres Mechanics
Wick Academy v Clachnacuddin
Under-16 Highland:
Alness United v St Duthus
Dingwall v Balloan United
Fort William v Inverness Athletic
Ross County v Clachnacuddin