Forres Mechanics finish Highland League season on positive note with manager Steven MacDonald delighted by atmosphere at Mosset Park club
They’re the club that possesses a top teenage goal scoring talent and a much-sought-after midfield star.
Forres Mechanics know they might have to battle to keep some of their players after a progressive Highland League season ended on a positive note on Saturday.
The Cans finished in 10th position, having drawn 1-1 with third-placed Banks o’ Dee who they had already defeated this term.
Manager Steven MacDonald revealed that three of his squad have elected to move on this summer, but is delighted with the improvements and achievements gained in the past year.
“There's a different atmosphere within the club now,” he said. “In the changing room there's a lot more belief and now we can look forward to trying to kick on again.
“We've finished 10th which is a solid position. There's a lot of good teams below us with lofty ambitions so it doesn't get any easier.
“We've got back in a good position and a club of Forres' stature should be looking to go forward and that's what everyone's trying to do - so hopefully we can do that.
“It's starting to come together. The team's starting to gel and hopefully this summer we won't have to do the remedial work that we've had to do in the past.”
Top scorer Calum Frame’s 16th goal of the season had Cans ahead at half time before Michael Philipson squared things for Dee in the second period.
MacDonald is thrilled with teenager Frame’s goal tally, and knows he has talent at his disposal which will be gaining interest from bigger clubs.
Ex-Rothes man Jordan Alonge has chipped in 14 goals from midfield after joining Mechanics in mid-season and his performances are being watched by other north sides.
Goalkeeper Cammy Farquhar, defender Callum Howarth and midfielder Liam Grant are set to leave Forres in the close season.
“(They) have indicated that they're going to take a break out of it for a while. That's not ideal but they’re great lads and they've put so much into this season.
“Everyone's a part of the team so that's a loss but we have to deal with that.
“It’s a case of ‘never say never’ - we’ll be here for them if they're missing it and they want to get back into it.”
Ex-Ross County youngster Frame has really impressed this term with his goal haul and general performances.
“We got a great goal from ‘Crouch’, which has been his trademark this year really - his finishing. He’s been different level and for a 19-year-old, 16 goals is fantastic.
“He's got so much more to offer if you forget he's just a young lad so it's been a great season for him.”
It’s no secret that Englishman Alonge is eager to play at a higher level and MacDonald is happy to prepare him for that if the opportunity arises.
“It's obvious he's a very talented player. At any level of football when you're getting 14 goals from the midfield after he's missed the start of the season, that's very hard to find nowadays.
“Every club's looking for that and he's certainly got exceptional talent so it's going to be difficult to hold on to him because there's a lot of interest in Jordan,
“All these boys that we've got, they've got that opportunity for the progression and it's the way we've got to be. It's up to us if it does happen and if Jordan gets a move that he's interested in then obviously we would look into that.
“He's just been a great guy to work with. The boys really look up to him as well and people don't realise the sacrifices that he's made to come up here.
“He's a really humble, intelligent guy off the park too that's very dedicated so anything he gets will be all down to himself.”
