Brechin City’s Ray McKinnon is full of praise for Cillian Sheridan, whose two goals led them to a 3-0 victory over Deveronvale in the Breedon Highland League. The Hedgemen are now just three points behind Brora Rangers, who are currently at the top of the table with a better goal difference. McKinnon, in his second stint as interim manager, commended Sheridan’s outstanding performance, highlighting his work rate, leadership, and impact on the team.
Early Opener
When the game kicked off at Princess Royal Park, Brechin took the lead in the 10th minute with Marc Scott setting up Sheridan for a close-range goal. Ewan Loudon extended the lead to 2-0 with a neat finish from a Fraser MacLeod cutback. Before halftime, Liam Callaghan’s free-kick was converted by Sheridan for his second goal of the match.
Deveronvale’s Response
Despite some pressure from Deveronvale, Brechin maintained control throughout the match. The wind, which favored the visitors in the first half, dropped in the second period. Deveronvale’s Murray Esson was booked, and Garry Wood was sent off after an altercation with Brechin’s Dayle Robertson. Although Deveronvale boss Wood expressed his disappointment with the match outcome and his red card, he acknowledged Brechin’s effective performance.
Brora Rangers vs. Nairn County
Over at Brora, they secured a 1-0 victory against Nairn County thanks to a disputed penalty that left Nairn frustrated. Connor Bunce scored the winning goal, maintaining Brora’s lead at the top of the league. Brora, who recently won the North of Scotland Cup, are set to face Fraserburgh in the R Davidson Highland League Cup final. The match saw Nairn on the front foot initially, but Brora eventually took control, with Bunce’s penalty being the deciding factor.
Huntly vs. Banks o’ Dee
Huntly and Banks o’ Dee played out a 1-1 draw, with Sam Robertson scoring for Huntly and Andrew Hunter equalizing for Banks o’ Dee. Both teams had their fair share of chances, with Robertson and Hunter finding the back of the net in an evenly contested match.
Fraserburgh’s Dominance
Fraserburgh showcased their prowess with a 6-1 victory over Rothes, led by Sean Butcher’s hat-trick. Despite playing against the wind in the first half, Fraserburgh managed to secure an early lead and never looked back. Butcher’s stellar performance, along with goals from his teammates, sealed a comprehensive win for the Broch.
Buckie Thistle’s Triumph
Buckie Thistle cruised to a 4-1 victory over Strathspey Thistle, with Josh Peters scoring all four goals. Peters’ clinical finishing and Buckie’s dominant display proved too much for Strathspey to handle, with the visitors securing a comfortable win on the road.
Formartine United vs. Lossiemouth
Formartine United claimed a 1-0 victory over Lossiemouth, with Robert Ward scoring the only goal of the match. Ward’s precise finish in the second half secured the win for Formartine, who continue to push for a top-five finish in the Highland League. Despite Lossiemouth’s efforts, they were unable to break down Formartine’s defense, ultimately falling short in their pursuit of an equalizer.
