The first North Caledonian league match of the day was Bonar Bridge making the long trip up north and across the sea to Holm to take on Orkney. And it was Orkney who took the early initiative in this match taking the lead after eight minutes through Connan Rendall and when Bonar thought they were going into the break with only a one-goal deficit Orkney scored again five minutes from the break from Aiden Drever.

Half-time score - Orkney 2 v Bonar Bridge 0

Bonar Bridge started the second half determined to get back into the match having lost that late goal near the end of the first half. They did get back into it in the 66th minute from Paul Macdonald and with the match in the balance for another period, the hosts took a strong grip on the game with two goals in three minutes from Liam Delday (82) and Jamie Flett (85) to secure the three points.

Full-time score - Orkney 4 v Bonar Bridge 1

For the first of the 2 p.m kick-offs, we start with Halkirk United hosting Golspie Sutherland at Morrison Park and the home side were up and running from the off in this match with Jonah Martens causing Golspie all end of problems running at their defence and it was no surprise that Halkirk took the lead with a close-range finish from James Mackintosh after 20 minutes. Sean Munro levelled the game for Golspie after 33 minutes only for Halkirk to quickly take the lead again with a brilliant strike from Graham MacNab in the 35th minute. This was to be the last of the goals from the first half with Halkirk United pushing for a third.

Half-time score - Halkirk United 2 v Golspie Sutherland 1

Halkirk United started the way they finished the 1st half and it was no surprise in 53 minutes top scorer Jonah Martens scored to give Halkirk a two-goal cushion. And they were to put the contest out of sight in the 77th minute as Jonah Martens scored his second and Halkirk's 4th to win the three points for The Anglers and keep top spot in the league table.

Full-time score - Halkirk United 4 v Golspie Sutherland 1

Next up is the first of the double-header between Loch Ness and Thurso at King George V Park in Fortrose. Loch Ness looking to maintain their position at the top end of the table and the Vikings looking to get much-needed points after a disappointing defeat at home to Orkney last week. Thurso start without defender Rob McLean and top scorer Marc MacGregor. The match started with mostly Loch Ness on top. Thurso started with James Murray up front with Connor MacIntosh and David Hale on the wing. Hale was to be replaced after five minutes due to a hamstring injury which was a blow to Vikings. It was the hosts who took the lead after half an hour from Stefan McRitchie and took that one-goal lead into the break.

Half-time score - Loch Ness 1 v Thurso 0

The second half started with Thurso having more of the play but found it difficult to create too many openings. Loch Ness hit a hammer blow to Thurso with twenty minutes left as Connor MacPhee hit a brilliant strike from outside the box past keeper Asa Sinclair to effectively kill the match and seal with three points for the home side and cement their place in second place in the league table just behind Halkirk United having played a game less than the Anglers.

Full-time score - Loch Ness 2 v Thurso 0

Inverness Athletic travelled up to Dalmore Park, Alness to take on Alness United with both clubs looking for the boost of three points after a disappointing start to season 2021/22. It was Alness who started well and took the lead in the 14th minute through striker Dean Allison and held this one-goal lead into the break.

Half-time score - Alness United 1 v Inverness Athletic 0

It wasn't long into the second half when Alness doubled their lead from Struan Coli in the 54th minute as he held off a defender and slotted past the keeper from about ten yards. The game was done and dusted in the 63rd minute when Craig Morrison put through his own goal. This win lifted Alness United above Thurso in the table into 8th place in the league table.

Full-time score - Alness United 3 v Inverness Athletic 0

Finally, Nairn County 'A' were again on their travels as they made the trip to Invergordon and it was a level first half until Invergordon took the lead three minutes before halftime from Benjamin Kelly and as soon as the hosts took the lead, they lost it with Kyle MacDonald levelling for Nairn.

Half-time score - Invergordon 1 v Nairn County 'A' 1

Both sides came out looking to take the lead and win the three points. It was the visitors who took the lead in this topsy turvy game through Scott Mutch in 55 minutes to shock the home side. And just as it looked as though Nairn were going home with the three points, Invergordon scored twice at the death of the match from Benjamin Kelly and Jack Mackay to leave Nairn County 'A' deflated and the home side delighted with the three points and kept them in third place in the table.

Full-time score - Invergordon 3 v Nairn County 'A' 2


This weekend's fixtures

FOOTBALL TIMES CUP SEMI-FINALS
(SPONSORED BY INVERNESS TROPHY CENTRE)

Nairn County vs Halkirk United - KO 2pm
Loch Ness vs Thurso - KO 2pm

NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE - 23.10.21
(SPONSORED BY (MACLEOD & MACCALLUM)

Bonar Bridge vs Orkney - KO 12.45pm
Golspie Sutherland vs Invergordon - KO 2pm
Inverness Athletic vs St.Duthus - KO 2pm