Forres hold out to clinch the title

FORRES Mechanics last night toasted only the second Highland League title triumph of their 127-year history, writes Alasdair Fraser. The Moray team won through a nerve-shredding 90 minutes against visiting Fraserburgh with the help of a bizarre Ryan Christie own goal. The final whistle sparked wild scenes of celebration amongst a bumper 1,064 crowd at Mosset Park.

Forres won their only previous league title in 1986 but ended the wait with a season of dominant football. For manager Charlie Rowley, boss for just two seasons, it was a dream achievement. “This is by far the proudest moment of my life,” Rowley said. “Taking a club like Forres to the title is a dream. To do it in my second year as manager exceeds all of my expectations. The players have been magnificent. They are Forres legends now.”

After only 14 minutes, disaster struck for the visitors. Fraserburgh’s Christie sent a 35-yard back-pass towards goalkeeper Paul Leask, who let the ball slip under his foot and into his own net.

Forres didn’t have it all their own way as the tension showed through the rest of the first half and into the second period as they sought to maintain their one-point lead over Cove Rangers, who were on their way to a 3-1 win over Deveronvale. But when Fraserburgh’s Marc Dickson walked for a last-man foul on Willie Barron, the title inched closer to Forres.

Some Can Cans fans could hardly watch as the game wore on towards the climax but the final whistle eventually came, sparking a jubilant pitch invasion.