Gibson to the four as Balloan youngsters run riot against Rothes to go top of Highland League North
Balloan showed no signs of taking their foot off the pedal on Sunday as they ascended to the top of the Highland League under-18 north division
They win moves the Inverness side into first place on goal difference, enjoying the advantage of fellow pacesetters Wick Academy having the ‘free weekend’.
Recording their seventh win of the campaign, Balloan stormed to a 13-1 win over Rothes with Lewis Gibson the star man bagging four of their goals.
It was Gibson who started the rout with a goal on seven minutes before Bodhan Campbell, with a four-minute brace, and Calan Morrison made it 4-0 with only seventeen minutes on the clock.
A Jack Dawson own goal made matters worse for the Speysiders on 33 minutes, and Gibson added his second just five minutes later to round off a six-goal lead at the interval.
Balloan remained unrelenting in the second period, netting two goals in as many minutes through Leo Lomba and Gibson for his hat-trick.
Caleb Dowling and Lomba repeated this feat in 59 and 60 minutes to take the score into double figures before Bailey Black scored to make it 11-0.
With twenty minutes left, Gibson notched his fourth of the afternoon, but there was to be a momentary cause for celebration in the away dugout when Sam Adams notched five minutes later.
This deficit was reduced only briefly, however, as Campbell completed his treble to end the scoring.
At Dingwall Academy, Clachnacuddin had no luck in a 2-4 defeat to Forres Mechanics.
The young Lilywhites went in at the break with a 1-0 lead after Alex Heggie had found a way past the Can Cans’ goalkeeper Murray Newlands.
Seven minutes into the second period, Forres were able to draw level through Kieran Hayllar - but Heggie hit back with another just five minutes later to restore his side’s lead.
A resilient Mechanics soon turned the tide on the Inverness men, though, and on 67 minutes Jake Newlands made it 2-2.
From there, the away side notched again to make it 3-2, Hayllar striking again, before Riley Adam rounded off the win with a goal five minutes from the end.
Continuing their impressive run of form, Alness United made it five wins in a row with a narrow 2-1 victory over Keith.
Deacon Walker wasted no time in giving his side the advantage with a goal after just two minutes at Dalmore Park, and it remained that way until 66 minutes when Michael Maver struck to level the scores.
A draw seemed like it was on the cards until the 89th minute when Jamie MacLeod popped up to snatch a winner for Alness.
In the other game of the day, Nairn County recorded a 2-1 win away to Lossiemouth.
Matches scheduled between Dingwall and Buckie Thistle, and North West Skye and Inverness Athletic, were postponed.
