Alness United stay in control of North Caley Division Two title race with one-sided victory over Loch Ness
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Alness United consolidated their position as favourites for the North Caledonian League Division Two title with a dominant win 5–1 over Loch Ness.
Ryan McFee was the star of the show, and he got United off to a flier in Inverness by scoring inside the first minute, before doubling the advantage In the 15th minute.
Ryan MacLeod pulled one back 10 minutes before the half-time interval, and with just one goal in it the outcome was in the balance.
The next goal would be crucial, and when McFee almost immediately secured a first-half hat trick to restore United’s two-goal lead that proved to be a killer blow to Loch Ness’ chances.
Alness just continued to ease away from their hosts at Canal Park in the second half, with a nice moment for Michael Mackenzie just after the hour mark.
Mackenzie had spent almost two years out of the game through injury, and scored his first goal after the extended lay-off.
Ryan Stewart then put the icing on the cake 15 minutes from time, wrapping up a 5-1 victory.
The result moves Alness to within four points of the top of the table and with three games in hand, Robert MacCormack’s men are in pole position for the title.
St Duthus were also victorious last weekend in Division One, with a Ben Bruce brace securing three points against Orkney in a 4–1 win.
Craig Harrison had levelled the scores for the islanders in between Bruce’s strikes as he became the league’s outright top scorer.
The Tain outfit are unlikely to be in their own title mix come the end of the season, with Invergordon and Golspie ahead of them with games in hand, but they have every chance of securing third.
There is only one match on the calendar before the end of 2020, as Alness are due to start making up their fixtures against new Division Two leaders Inverness Athletic in what will be the first of a crucial few matchdays.
