Highland League finale sees Fraserburgh goalkeeper score while Brora Rangers are crowned champions and Buckie Thistle favourite retires
The final day of the Highland League football season saw the champs crowned, a legend retire and a goalkeeper score from 90 yards.
Brora Rangers clinched the title with a 7-2 win at home to Rothes, pipping Brechin City on goal difference.
Bottom-of-the-league Rothes threatened to spoil the party when they took an early lead through a Colin Williamson own goal.
But the lead lasted just three minutes as Max Ewan quickly levelled, and Brora took control to lead 5-2 at half time and put one hand on the league trophy.
Shane Sutherland ended up with four goals while Connor Bunce and Michael Finnis also netted for the champs, while Shaun Morrison’s penalty on the stroke of half time gave Rothes a consolation.
Brechin finished with a 4-1 success over Lossiemouth but knew that was never going to be enough.
Euan Spark, Ewan Loudon, Cillian Sheridan and Marc Scott got the City goals with Ryan Stuart levelling for Lossie at one point.
Fraserburgh goalkeeper Joe Barbour put his name on the scoresheet in his team’s 4-0 victory over Huntly at Bellslea Park.
Liam Strachan tapped in Broch’s opener just after half time and Barbour then produced a mighty kick from hand which opposite number George Ritchie fumbled over his own head and watched in horror as it bounced into the net on the hour - watch the goal on YouTube below.
A Kieran Simpson penalty and a Sean Butcher header late on completed the scoring for the Buchan side.
Andy MacAskill set up a Buckie Thistle goal with his final kick of his football career in the 3-0 derby win over Keith.
The midfielder received a great reception from the Jags supporters in his last match, which produced a late flurry of goals.
It was 0-0 after 84 minutes until Innes McKay opened the scoring, quickly followed by a Darry McHardy effort.
MacAskill then set up Lyall Keir for the third goal.
Forres Mechanics held Banks o’ Dee to a 1-1 draw at Mosset Park with Calum Frame scoring for the Cans and Michael Philipson equalising just after half time.
Deveronvale drew 1-1 at Nairn County with Ben Hermiston’s 75th minute strike cancelling out Ben Barron’s early opener for Nairn.
The scoreline was the same at Grant Street Park where ten-man Clachnacuddin held Formartine United in a game of two penalty kicks.
The Inverness side had Harry Nicolson sent off for a last man challenge on Julian Wade leading to United’s 24th minute spot kick, which Jonny Crawford netted.
But even a man down, Clach battled back to level through James Anderson’s spot kick just after half time.
Inverurie Locos finished the campaign unbeaten in 13 games - 12 of those victories - with a 2-1 success against Wick Academy.
All three goals came in the opening quarter hour with Aidan Wilson’s Locos opener cancelled out by George Ewing’s quick response.
Defender Mark Souter added to his match-winning double at Turriff last week with another winner, his 10th goal of the season to finish as Locos’ joint-top scorer.
Turriff United were 4-1 winners at Strathspey Thistle thanks to goals by Owen Kinsella, Reece McKeown, Mackenzie Taylor and Archie Gibson. Paul Brindle got the Jags goal.