After a three-week break, Lossie resumed their league campaign with a trip to Inverness to play Clach at Grant Street Park. With the visitors still missing several players, Steven Rattray once again appeared for the Coasters, with Gary Youngson playing further forward than usual.

Despite a recent lack of practice, Lossie started well and were first to threaten, when Marc Whyte headed over a Gavin Middleton cross in the first minute.

The Clach side then began to sort themselves out and restricted Lossie to their own half, with the experienced Daisy Ross winning everything in the air and found himself awarded a free kick on the rare occasion he came off second best.

The visitors were forced to soak up pressure from Clach and hope for a breakaway goal, and almost took the lead through tat very tactic when Morrison swung a curling pass across the field to Middleton who ran through on goal and attempted a chip, only to scuff the shot.

Lossie were having to defend deeper and deeper and had Steven Dixon to thank for keeping the scoreline blank when he cleared a header from Chris Anton off the line.

The home side took the lead their pressure deserved just after the half hour when Daisy ROSS found himself in space on the edge of the box and drilled home to open the scoring.

Half time – Clachnacuddin 1 Lossiemouth 0

Lossie reentered the arena with a more attacking attitude, in an effort to stem the tide of Clach attacks. Before Lossie had touched the ball, Clach were a further goal ahead. Darren McConnachie saved well from Chris Sutherland to concede a corner, but the resulting set-piece saw Chris Anton swing a perfect ball onto the head of Gary ROSS who doubled the lead for the home side.

Clach almost went three ahead in highly ungentlemanly circumstances. Offered a drop ball after Steven Rattray received treatment, Andrew Neill attempted to take advantage of the situation by taking a shot from the half way line, only for it to roll inches wide. Evidently under team orders to push the rules to the limit, the home side saw Gary Ross booked for diving shortly after.

With ten minutes remaining, Lossie ensured the end of the game would at least be competitive. Morrison beat his man down the wing and crossed for Kyle STEWART, who deflected the ball in at the near post to hand Lossie a lifeline.

Four minutes from time, and Clach finished the game with their third. Sloppy work at the back saw Bruce MCCRAW given time to shoot and score.

All that remained was a hilarious attempt by Andrew Neill to lash home a fourth goal for Clach only for the afternoons anti-hero to spectacularly fresh-air his shot six yards from goal before falling on his rear.

Full time – Clachnacuddin 3 Lossiemouth 1

Team