Five-star show from champions Invergordon keeps North Caledonian League title tilt on track

North Caledonian League champions Invergordon continued their climb up the table as they posted a 5-0 home win against Thurso.

Goals from Jordan Knight, Benjamin Kelly and Colin Mason had the hosts three ahead by half-time.

Ken Morrison added another 10 minutes after the break and Kelly secured his double on 63 minutes to seal a comfortable result for his team.

Invergordon are in sixth position and 10 points away from top spot, but vitally have two games in hand over most of the sides above them.

Thurso are 10th in the table and are now five points away from their closest rivals, Halkirk United.

NEXT NCFA FIXTURES – NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE – 4th/5th November 2022

4th – Fort Willam v Clach 'A' (8 p.m)

5th – Bonar Bridge v Invergordon
Inverness Ath v Halkirk
Nairn County 'A' v Alness
Thurso v Loch Ness

Kick offs are 1 p.m unless stated #NCFA #Northcaley pic.twitter.com/S8v9zdpG4A

— North Caledonian FA (@NorthCaleyFA) October 29, 2022

Leaders Loch Ness in seventh heaven

Loch Ness continue to be the front-runners following their 7-1 victory against Nairn County A in Fortrose.

The home team were sparked into action after conceding early on, but braces from Calum Neil and Allan MacPhee either side of an own goal made it 5-1 at the interval.

The young Nairn outfit, who sit in 11th position, dug deep, but Phil MacDonald added number six for Loch Ness before MacPhee walked off with a treble to round off a terrific result for Shane Carling’s pace-setters.

Four-goal Golspie firmly in title chase

Golspie are still the closest challengers after their 4-1 victory at home to Clachnacuddin A left them within four points of first place.

Sam Mackay got the ball rolling after just five minutes and a goal in each half from Kevin Cairns extended the advantage to 3-0.

Billy Cairns scored to make it 4-0 and an own goal with 10 minutes remaining gave the young Lilywhites -who are second-bottom in their first season in the NCL – something to show for their efforts.

Final score 4v1@MacandMac28 @NorthCaleyFA pic.twitter.com/6fRo84CQsz

— Clach Reserves (@ClachReserves) October 29, 2022

Orkney strike back to draw in Tain

Third-placed St Duthus are five points away from second-placed Golspie after a 2-2 draw with Orkney.

The Saints, who lost former Caley Thistle star Ross Tokely to Highland League side Nairn County this week, were desperate for a lift after their shock 7-0 defeat at Alness seven days previously and had been leading 2-0.

Orkney goals O Rendall 88 mins and James Pickles 89 mins 2 – 2 @bbcorkney @BBCSportScot @brianmackayncfl

— Orkney FC (@OrkneyFC) October 29, 2022

Jake Lockett’s goal got the Tain team off to the perfect start and the striker netted from the spot to double the scoreline just after the interval.

However, the islanders scored twice late on through Owen Rendall and James Pickles to join Alness United and Invergordon on 15 points just above mid-table.

Athletic secure last-gasp win at Fort

Fort William, relegated from the Highland League last season, suffered a set-back in their bid to get back there via a title win and the promotion play-offs.

The Lochaber side conceded early and late in the match to fall to a 2-1 home defeat against ever-improving Inverness Athletic, who only trail third-placed St Duthus on goal difference.

90’ | 🟡 FWFC 1-2 IAFC 🌑 | #FortWilliam #InvAth
FULL TIME
What a day here at Claggan as it another late late show on the road from Athletic. A goal in the first and last minutes from Connel Gresham ensured that Stuart Ross’s side take 3 points home.

Match report to follow. pic.twitter.com/Q62SiYGbYe

— Inverness Athletic Football Club (@InvernessAthFC) October 29, 2022

Connel Gresham put Inverness in front in the opening minute, but Amin Benyoucef restored parity with his goal on half an hour.

It was all set for a point apiece then Gresham arrived with a last-gasp goal to earn Athletic maximum points to offer themselves slim hopes of a championship chase, as they trail Loch Ness by nine points.

Full time. Fort 1-2 Inverness Athletic.

Very very poor second Half for Fort.

A Gresham brace for Inverness win them the game.

— Fort William FC (@FortWilliamFC) October 29, 2022

Koziol hat-trick inspires Halkirk win

Ninth-placed Halkirk United are level with Fort William on 12 points thanks to their impressive 5-1 home victory over basement side Bonar Bridge.

Kyle Henderson scored twice in the opening 45 minutes, with Kuba Koziol’s goal in between stacking up to a 3-0 interval advantage.

Adam Mackay put Bonar back into the match on 61 minutes, but Koziol went on to clinch two more goals – and his hat-trick – to wrap up a fine win.