Magnificent seven for Dingwall youngsters as Balloan beaten by Wick Academy
Defending Highland League under-18 champions Balloan were dealt their first defeat of the 2024-25 campaign when they fell to a 2-0 home defeat against Wick Academy on Sunday.
A Louis Hancock goal after 34 minutes sent the young Scorries on their way at Inverness Royal Academy before a penalty from George Ewing four minutes from time put the result beyond doubt.
The Caithness youngsters top the under-18 north table with 18 points, having won all six of their opening fixtures in the league.
Dingwall under-18s were in seventh heaven after recording a stunning 7-1 win over North West Skye at Dingwall Academy on Sunday.
The Easter Ross outfit bounced back from defeat at the hands of Wick one week prior, inspired by a five-star first half scoring display.
Ryan Macnamara sent Dingwall on their way after just seven minutes before Seamus Henderson made it four before the 33 minute mark, with goals either side of a Tom Henderson strike.
Fraser Allan did reduce the deficit briefly, but Fraser Ross restored the home side’s lead four minutes before the interval, and found the net again on 76 minutes to take the score to 6-1.
A seventh arrived for Dingwall on the stroke of full time when Lael Macdonald scored.
Inverness Athletic sit in third spot, having gained a point in a 1-1 at Grant Park.
Oscar Beattie gave Athletic the lead after just four minutes, before Lossiemouth levelled through Cairn Lasley midway through the second half.
In Evanton, Clachnacuddin returned following a fortnight’s absence to notch a 5-1 win over Nairn County.
Nairn’s Jamie Lawrie cancelled out an Alfie Forsyth opening after 22 minutes in an even first half between the sides, before Charlie Taylor struck on 32 minutes to give the Lilywhites the interval lead.
The game swung the way of the home side in the second half with a second for Taylor, and further goals from Kian Gunn and Connor Cornish.
At Mosset Park, the home side were not in a mood to compromise, netting three goals in the opening 28 minutes against Rothes.
Kieran Hayllar opened the scoring after eight minutes, before Charlie Watson netted five minutes later and Drew Noble further extended the lead.
A goal from Josh Jagosz-Dunion gave the Speysiders some hope on the half hour mark, but any chance of a comeback was put to bed when Ben Cruickshank made it 4-1 on 65 minutes.
A strike from Ben McLeman made it five ten minutes before the end.
In the other game of the day, Keith beat Buckie Thistle 3-1.
Highland League under-18 north fixtures for Sunday September 29:
Buckie Thistle v Forres Mechanics
Inverness Athletic v Keith
Nairn County v Alness United
North West Skye v Balloan
Rothes v Clachnacuddin
Wick Academy v Lossiemouth
