Surprise results in North Caledonian League include leaders Loch Ness drawing with Thurso

Loch Ness remain unbeaten at the top of the North Caledonian League – but they had to settle for a 0-0 draw at Thurso.

In a game switched to Halkirk, Shane Carling’s impressive pace-setters could not find a way past the Vikings, who are nine places and 18 points below them.

Second-placed Golspie Sutherland’s match away to Orkney was postponed due to a bereavement and they are five points behind, now with a game in hand.

On Saturday, Loch Ness have no fixture, while Golspie go to Alness United.

Nairn County youngsters stun Alness

Alness will be looking for a response after they were beaten 3-2 by hosts Nairn County A.

United have 15 points on the board after a steady start to the season, while the victory for the Nairn youngsters takes them on to seven points in 11th position.

Todays @NorthCaleyFA result away to Nairn pic.twitter.com/K9KGkuRYY0

— Alness United FC (@AlnessUnitedFC) November 5, 2022

Alexander Mackay gave Alness and early lead, but Kieran Duffty levelled after 20 minutes.

Quickfire goals from Grant Hogg and Tyler Eadie in the second half increased the advantage for the winners, with Mackay’s late counter a mere consolation.

Halkirk hit three to defeat Inverness

Another game which didn’t follow the league positions came at North Kessock where now fifth-placed Inverness Athletic lost 3-2 against visitors Halkirk United, who rose to ninth and are now just one point from their beaten opponents in a congested section of the table.

Anglers team lines from this Afternoons win against Inverness. Goals from Ben Sinclair (P) ,Kyle Henderson and Steven Anderson was enough to secure a great 3 points on the road. Next up we face Orkney at Morrison park Saturday the 12th🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/sO3USzgQTy

— Halkirk United FC (@HalkirkUnitedFC) November 5, 2022

Danni Bruce put Inverness ahead with a goal in 15 minutes, but the tide turned for Halkirk as a Ben Sinclair penalty and goals for Kyle Henderson and Steven Anderson made it 3-1 by half-time.

Bruce netted a second late on, but there was no time left for another.

Champions put in five-star show

Current champions Invergordon continued their climb up the table, with their 5-1 win at rock-bottom Bonar Bridge putting them third.

Jack Mackay’s brace and one from Benjamin Kelly had the visitors 3-0 ahead inside 25 minutes.

Bonar, who have won only once this term, held on until 75 minutes when Ken Morrison made it 4-0.

Daniel Hutchinson put Bonar on the scoresheet, but Callum Murray added a fifth late on.

It means Invergordon are three points behind Golspie with a game in hand and superior goal difference and eight points below Loch Ness with two matches to spare on the leaders.

Their focus turns away from the league this Saturday when they go for glory in the final of the Football Times Cup against St Duthus at King George V Park, Golspie.

Friday night cracker at Fort William

On Friday night, Fort William edged out Clachnacuddin A 4-3 in an epic clash at Claggan Park.

Michael Rodgers netted early on for the hosts, but the young Lilywhites responded with second half goals from Thomas Lewis and Kieran Syrjanen.

The Lochaber team needed to lift it and goals from Shaquille Wynter-Coles, Asad Ahmed and Shaquille Wynter-Coles took the scoreline to 4-2 before Lewis scored again with seven minutes to go.

Fort are one of four teams on 15 points, while Clach are only kept off bottom spot by Bonar Bridge’s poorer goal difference.

NEXT NCFA FIXTURES. NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE – 12.11.22

Alness Utd v Golspie Sutherland
Clachnacuddin 'A' v Nairn County 'A'
Fort William v Bonar Bridge
Halkirk Utd v Orkney (2.15 pm)
Inverness Ath v Thurso

Kick offs are 1 p.m unless stated #NCFA #Northcaley pic.twitter.com/zhmR9uxDTh

— North Caledonian FA (@NorthCaleyFA) November 5, 2022