Badenoch United Extends Lead with Impressive Wins in League and Cup

Badenoch United solidified their position at the top of the Badenoch and Strathspey Welfare League with a commanding performance, maintaining a six-point lead over Aviemore Thistle. This victory comes on the heels of a dominant display against Grantown Rovers, where United triumphed with a staggering score of 17-0.

In their latest outing, Aviemore Thistle sought to close the gap against FC Abernethy after falling behind due to a week off. They quickly took to the field with determination, opening the scoring just five minutes into the match. A long throw from Craig Macleod set up Wayne Cathcart to drive the ball into the net, giving Thistle an early lead. Following a penalty from Ross Peters, Abernethy responded with a goal from Matt Reynolds, temporarily narrowing the gap.

Despite this setback, Aviemore Thistle unleashed a relentless assault on Abernethy. The second half saw a flurry of goals as Kane Davies scored his first of the match at the 54th minute. Peters added a second goal shortly afterward, and Davies completed his brace moments later. He then assisted Kalen Clark for the sixth goal before securing his hat-trick just two minutes later. Kepa Roy capped the scoreline at 8-1 in the 78th minute, while Abernethy’s troubles were compounded when substitute Alex Smith received a red card near the end of the match.

Badenoch United, meanwhile, faced Grantown Rovers in a match that showcased their offensive prowess. Opening the scoring in the third minute, John Fowler set the tone for a one-sided contest. Svend Pedersen quickly followed with another goal, and Antonio Burnett, returning from suspension, made it 3-0 within the first nine minutes.

The Rovers struggled to field a full team and were overwhelmed as United struck repeatedly. By the end of the first half, Badenoch had scored nine goals, with Finlay McBain netting five goals, and Dougal Cameron contributing four. The second half brought no relief for Rovers, as Badenoch continued their attack, with McBain and Cameron scoring again within two minutes of the restart.

As the match concluded, Sam Cairns secured a hat-trick of his own, and Badenoch United finished the match with a staggering total of 17 goals, reinforcing their dominance in the league.

With such impressive performances, Badenoch United remains firmly at the top of the standings, six points clear of Aviemore Thistle. The two teams are set to clash in the upcoming matches, starting with a fixture on March 15, 2024, in the Capaldi Cup, followed by a vital league encounter.

In the Capaldi Cup, FC Abernethy was forced to withdraw from their scheduled match against Aviemore Thistle due to a shortage of players, allowing Thistle to advance by default. Badenoch United faced Cromdale in the other semi-final and emerged victorious. The match saw United take an early lead through Dougal Cameron, followed by an own goal from a Cromdale defender, sealing a strong first half for United.

As they prepare to face Aviemore Thistle for the Capaldi Cup, Badenoch United will aim to continue their successful run and deny Thistle a clean sweep of trophies this season. The upcoming matches promise to be pivotal as the teams vie for supremacy in both league and cup competitions.