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Locos were beaten in their final game of 2025 as Forres Mechanics secured the points in the first half at Mosset Park. The Can Cans were well worth the win but The Railwaymen will be frustrated at the award of two penalties to the hosts.
After an uneventful opening, Locos found themselves two goals down out of nowhere. The first came from the spot, after Kaiden Connolly went down under pressure from Milosz Ochmanski. The Locos defender was adamant there was nothing in it but home skipper Mark McLauchlan opened the scoring.
The second came just 2 minutes later and this time there could be no complaints as Ryan MacLemon fired an unstoppable shot in off the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Unsurprisingly, the hosts took control as Locos struggled to keep the ball in midfield. The third goal came on 27 minutes after another penalty award that seemed even harsher than the first. Calum Frame’s cross was blocked by Taylor Chapman at close range, going behind for a corner kick. Following appeals from the home side though, the referee awarded another spot kick for hand ball. Kyle Irvine got down low to his left to save McLauchlan’s penalty but was unable to prevent him netting his second of the game from the rebound.
Once again, Forres followed up with another goal shortly afterwards as Jack Grant volleyed home from a corner that Locos will feel they should have dealt with better. The hosts continued to dominate for the rest of the half, which couldn’t end soon enough for Locos.
Dean Donaldson made three changes at the break, introducing Daniel Agnew, Jack McKenzie and Bradley Chikomo. Immediately Locos saw more of the ball in midfield and the game was played out largely in the Forres half. Michael Miele in the home goal began to get busy, although Locos struggled to force anything other than routine saves from the keeper.
When Forres did get forward, they continued to carry a threat with Shaun Sutherland and Frame firing off target. Miele saved from Chapman and McKenzie, but Locos couldn’t find a goal to give themselves even a glimmer of hope.
From the moment the hosts took the lead Locos never looked like getting anything out of this game but will certainly feel that the two penalties conceded are the sort of decisions that go against you when you’re struggling for form. The response in the second half will give some encouragement but Dean Donaldson will be keen to put this game behind him and focus on the visit of Fraserburgh next week.
