United’s title aspirations suffered a setback on Saturday as they were overpowered by a strong Lossiemouth side at The Playing Fields, Lossiemouth.

United’s cause was not helped by some very dubious refereeing, however to blame the referee would be coating over what was a wretched performance by the league leaders.

United gave starts to Craig Ritchie and Alan Reid as work commitments ruled out Danni Buchan and David Innes, with the latter’s absence being very noticeable in a Broch defence that were all at sea in the first-half.

The Broch kicked off into a strong wind, combined with the rain, snow and heavy underfoot conditions made football almost non-existent.

Lossie’s tactics were clear from the off, get the ball forward early and United were almost caught out when a long ball from Lossie keeper McLean flew over Hay’s head and Adembi fired wide when through on Dunbar’s goal.

With United’s midfield being outmuscled chances for the away side were few and far between, despite this Watt should have scored on 15 minutes. Reid and Rollo combined to send Watt through on goal, he rounded McLean but was denied by a great block on the line by Hastie.

United received a rash of bookings from the overly officious Auburn for innocuous tackles with the perpetrators being A. Ritchie, Hay and Ross.

Lossie players were not booked similarly, Mason’s tackle from behind on Rollo, in particular, looked nasty, with the Broch midfielder requiring some treatment in the aftermath.

On 26 minutes, Lossie were awarded a soft free-kick by referee Auburn after Noble appeared to win the ball cleanly from Reynolds. Hastie stepped up to blast the ball over to United’s relief.

United retaliated with a number of efforts from distance that were continually blocked by the forest of defenders Lossie set up in front of their goal - United were struggling to test keeper McLean.

The deadlock was broken on 43 minutes when United’s Hay naively lost possession 25-yards out and Bryson immediately fed Wilson inside the box, his shot took a huge deflection off Reid and looped over Dunbar to send Lossie in at the break one up.

United suffered a further blow as Bisset was forced off at half time with a hamstring injury, replaced by Steven Lawrence.

The Broch came out for the second half with all guns blazing, quickly pinning Lossie back for the opening minutes of the half. However it was the home side that pulled further ahead on 51 minutes.

Kellas’ corner from the left saw Noble and Wilson joust for position as the ball came over, to utter Broch disbelief referee Auburn whistled and pointed to the spot. United’s captain saw yellow for his protestations.

Wilson stepped up and expertly dispatched the ball beyond Dunbar.

United continued undeterred, dominating possession and territory yet without properly threatening McLean’s goal. The Lossie keeper did earn his corn, making a great save from Lawrence’s lob on 64 minutes.

As with the first-half, United were creating shooting opportunities but Lossie were throwing bodies in front of everything and defending resolutely.

On 80 minutes United were reduced to ten men, C. Ritchie picking up another booking for a mistimed challenge on Wilson.

United continued to press but could not breach the Lossie defence and the home side recorded a fine victory.

Aberdeenshire Council has said the public will be given its say on the proposed speed limit change at Memsie which could see the 50mph limit reduced to 40mph.

It is the latest and final stage of the plan which has been in the public eye for several months.

If successful, the speed limit on the A981 through Memsie will be reduced for the second time in little over a decade

Memsie residents have witnessed numerous collisions at the crossroads where many drivers fail to stop.

Councillor Ian Tait had written to Grampian Police last year concerning the issue, with the backing of more than 50 local residents, suggesting that the erection of cameras at the sight would enable the police to prosecute speeding drivers.

The Fraserburgh Herald contacted the council’s roads department regarding the matter.

A spokesperson said: “If, at the end of the public consultation, there are no objections, then the speed limit will be reduced. After speed limit assessments, it was decided that we could reduce he limit due to the figures found.”

Any objections will be considered, and may, in turn, delay the reduction of the speed limit by as much as “a couple of months or indefinitely”, he said.

A ballpark figure for the erection of new signs and road markings has been set at £2,500 for the proposal.

Councillor Ian Tait, speaking to the Fraserburgh Herald, said: “I am purely in support of the speed limit reduction.

Local man Andy Higgins has announced his intention to take part in the London Marathon this year to raise awareness and funds for local community group Kinship for Kids.

Speaking to the Fraserburgh Herald on the task facing him, Mr Higgins said:

“This is the 14th time that I’ve run the London Marathon.

“I usually do it every year to raise funds for a charity,” he added.

Kinship for Kids is a local community group for grandparents who raise their grandchildren, be it because of alcohol or drug abuse, or bereavement.

As the group is not a charity, it receives no funding, so Mr Higgins’ run at London will provide some much needed financial support for the organisation.

Similarly, the people involved with Kinship for Kids receive none of the funding that a foster carer would, nor do they have the same rights as a foster carer.

With 10 children already involved in the group, Andy Higgins is sure to have significant local support by the time the London Marathon rolls around.

Kinship for Kids plan to launch a website in the future, but for more information on the community group, please contact 07873880195 or email k4kids1@gmail.com.

The Scottish Land Fund which will help more rural communities buy their land was launched this week by Environment Minister and Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson.

The £6 million scheme will empower rural communities by helping them acquire land.

The Minister launched the fund, which will be delivered by Big Lottery Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, during a visit to Galson Estate which was today celebrating the fifth anniversary of its successful land buyout.

Mr Stevenson said: “Galson Estate on Lewis, which today marks its fifth anniversary in community ownership, is a fantastic example of what a community buyout can achieve.

“Community land ownership can bring tremendous benefits both to communities themselves and Scotland as a whole. Land ownership is key to building independent, resilient rural communities and creating a sense of confidence and community empowerment.

“That’s why the Scottish Government continues to fully support buyouts and is committed to providing opportunities for rural communities to acquire land.

“The Scottish Land Fund, which we are launching today, is designed to give more rural communities the opportunities which communities like Galson have already enjoyed.

“Both Big Lottery Scotland and HIE will ensure the fund makes the best use of existing resources and expertise to maximise the land fund’s potential.

“These are exciting times for Scotland and this fund will help more of our rural areas to take control of their own destinies and build the successful, flourishing communities of tomorrow.”

John Watt, Director of Strengthening Communities with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said:

“The new Scottish Land Fund will be welcomed in rural communities throughout the country, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise is delighted to be playing a part, along with our colleagues in Big Lottery Fund Scotland.

“With many years’ experience in this field, we can offer valuable advice, information and support to help communities prepare their bids, and to design and deliver projects which will make the most of the assets they acquire.”

The Scottish Land Fund will make available £6 million over the next three financial years. It is expected that the fund will open to applications in summer 2012.

POLICE have carried out a series of early-morning raids in Aberdeenshire, seizing illegal drugs and recovering more than £2,500.

The haul included heroin, cannabis, amphetamines, M-Cat, cocaine and diazepam.

Twelve drugs search warrants were executed over four days in Inverurie, Ellon, Westhill, Huntly and Fraserburgh, following intelligence received from local communities.

Inquiries are continuing into the seizures and five people will be reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with drug and other offences. A number of referrals have been made to the Community Substance Misuse Service.

The raids are part of Operation Hotspur which was launched in Aberdeenshire in November last year to tackle illegal drugs, and brings together Grampian Police, Aberdeenshire Council, NHS Grampian and the Scottish Prison Service.

Detective Constable Craig Dunbar said: “Operation Hotspur was launched last November with a new two-pronged approach to tackling illegal drugs and the associated issues in Aberdeenshire.

“Clearly drug raids play an important role but the operation is about more than that.

“It’s also about working with our partners through the drug and alcohol partnership to break the cycle of offending by dealing with the root causes of drug use.”

DC Dunbar added: “The activity in the Garioch, Marr and Formatine areas is the first occasion Operation Hotspur has taken place outwith Banff and Buchan, and is a further demonstration of our commitment to ensuring that Aberdeenshire remains one of the safest places in the country to live and work.”

One side excelled from set pieces, the other side faltered. It was the dead-ball situations that made the difference at the Bellslea as a trio of superb strikes saw Fraserburgh edge into the Semi-finals of the Aberdeenshire Shield at the expense of Buckie Thistle.

Fraserburgh began with an identical squad to the one that had dismantled Turriff United on Saturday, whereas Buckie were still reeling from their shock draw against strugglers Strathspey.

Barely five minutes had expired when Mark Chisholm saw his header from 6 yards end up the wrong side of the post from Zander Sutherland’s free-kick, a miss which would prove pivotal less than two minutes later when the ball found the net at the other end of the park. Marc Dickson’s chipped long ball matched Scott Barbour’s run, and, with no shout from his fellow defenders received, Darren Wood hesitated on making his clearance, allowing Barbour to nip in from behind him before executing a perfect lob over Kevin Main for 1-0.

However parity was soon restored for the 2007-08 winners of this competition through Paul Napier, introduced as a substitute seven minutes previous. Donnie Munro’s curling effort was kept out well by Paul Leask, but could only parry the ball back out into play and a goalmouth melee proceeded with Napier stabbing home from only yard out.

Buckie were now looking to rise into the ascendancy.

However, the complexity of the match changed with the very last kick prior to the half-time whistle.

Three minutes into stoppage time had surpassed when Dean Cowie’s free-kick was knocked out of the penalty area by Wood, but fell perfectly to Allan Hale on the half-volley, and his corker of an effort rocketed into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Thistle again looked to be getting a foothold on the game after that, but a moment of what some might brand as silliness from Gary Clark saw the player be dismissed by referee Bryan Braidwood after picking up two yellow cards in as many minutes for alleged backchatting to the match official.

Fraserburgh made their one-man advantage extend to a two goal advantage almost instantaneously.

Dean Cowie sweeped the ball into the top bag from the edge of the penalty area with a cracking finish from a corner. Following that killer third goal for Fraserburgh, it looked as if it was time-up for Thistle as far as this competition was concerned, especially with the virtue of the extra man falling in Fraserburgh’s favour.

Clear-cut chances were sporadic for the Jags, and their inability of converting in front of the Broch goal saw them leave the Shield competition early this year.

Fraerburgh will now progres to the quarter finals of the Aberdeenshire Shield, playing away to either Huntly or Inverurie Loco Works next Wednesday.

Pictures provided by David Williamson.

Fraserburgh Academy’s pitch was the scene of a last-16 S4 Scottish Cup clash on Monday, with a team from Paisley making the long journey North.

With the game kicking off at lunchtime, there was a large and enthusiastic support throughout the first-half.

Some of the pupils in the crowd had got into the party spirit with a couple of Mexican waves started by Academy pupil Josh Scott.

The action on the park was equally bizarre to begin with as both teams searched for an opener.

Fraserburgh Academy goalkeeper Del Testa took a blow to the head after a mix up between his defenders before both Lumsden and Garden fired narrowly over at the other end.

The deadlock was broken after 20 minutes when a Paisley striker finished well after a neat through ball.

The Broch had not progressed this far for nothing, however, and went straight up the other end to equalise.

After a corner and a couple of headers, the ball fell to Maitland who fired in to the corner of the net for the Broch.

Fraserburgh continued to press for the remainder of the half and, despite a surging solo run by Paterson, the West coast side held on until half time.

In the second-half, the game changed with Paisley dominating the run of play.

Fraserburgh will be disappointed with how they conceded the 2-1 goal, however, with a corner deflecting off a defender leaving a tap in header for a Paisley attacker.

The game was over as a contest eight minutes from the end after a soft penalty award for the away side, allowing Paisley to defend their winning position for the final few minutes.

With Fraserburgh pouring players forward, they were unfortunate to lose another goal after a counter attack, ending the game on the wrong side of a 4-1 loss.

With Paisley’s cutting edge evident for the Academy side to see, it was fair to say that they deserved to go through in the Scottish Cup.

The three-goal margin will, nonetheless, be difficult for the Broch to contend with, given their courage to push for an equaliser late in the game.

Academy football rep Lynn Jex said after the game:

“In the last six years of school football, this team has progressed the furthest in the Scottish Cup on two occasions. The boys should hold their heads high and be proud of this remarkable achievement. They are most definitely in the top 16 teams in the country. I am proud of their excellent behaviour throughout the competition despite facing opponents who were verbally and at times physically aggressive. I would like to praise the way they respected decisions made by the referee and battled to the final minute in every game. Thanks must also be paid to their dedicated coach, James Gibb.”

A local councillor is looking into starting a new initiative to tackle rowdy behaviour outside takeaways.

Councillor Ian Tait considers it to be a new and worthwhile approach in reducing trouble arising near takeaways in the early hour.

Cllr Tait said: “Residents living beside these takeaways have to put up with a lot of disturbance and this can be worst when residents most need their rest and sleep - in other words in the early hours of the morning.

“Whenever a planning application comes in for a new take-away, I believe there can be the potential for social disorder in their vicinity.

“The Police cannot be everywhere at one time and we should be trying to help them whenever possible to keep law and order.

“My approach will be to propose that a planning condition is imposed compelling the takeaway owner to erect external CCTV cameras to cover the area immediately outside the premises. These new cameras to do this sort of thing are very cheap to purchase nowadays. If rowdy clients know they are being caught on camera they may have second thoughts and if fights break out then it would be recorded.

“I believe responsible takeaway operators will welcome this because they will be able to cite the installation of cameras when they apply to the various licensing authorities for grant or renewal of permission to operate. I imagine the Police will wish to support this too.

“This initiative will not require a new planning policy. The planning condition can be imposed to avoid a loss of amenity which is a valid reason for imposing a planning condition. The condition would only need to be imposed when there is a real risk of trouble. In terms of existing takeaways I have asked council officers to look and see if there is any way they can be helped to install the equipment but there would be no change in their existing planning consents.”

Invasive fungal infections are responsible for around 1.5 million deaths worldwide each year.

Yet fungal infections are poorly understood and have much less public awareness than diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Now the University of Aberdeen has been awarded £5.1M from the Wellcome Trust to lead a major UK collaboration which will take a ‘laboratory bench to hospital bedside’ approach to tackle the problem.

The Aberdeen Fungal Group - the biggest fungal research group in Britain and one of the largest in the world – will head the new ‘Medical Mycology and Fungal Immunology Consortium’ which will also be supported by scientists at Imperial College London and the Universities of Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Kent, Exeter and other UK institutions.

Professor Neil Gow, Chair in Microbiology at the University of Aberdeen, is Director of the Consortium. He said: “People are very familiar with superficial fungal infections, such as ringworm and athlete’s foot, which affect approximately a quarter of the world’s population and are usually easily treated.

“Fungal infections of the mouth and genitals are also common – thrush is estimated to affect 75 million women each year while oral infections are common in babies and denture wearers. Again these can be treated relatively easily in healthy patients.

“However invasive fungal infections - infections in the major organs of the body - are associated with high mortality rates. Immunocompromised patients, such as cancer, trauma and HIV patients; and people who have undergone bone and organ transplants, are more susceptible to fungal infection.For example, a patient who contracts septicaemia caused by the fungal pathogen Candida, has only a 60% chance of surviving it.”

Peterhead Academy teacher Michael Doig has been selected by SNP members in the Peterhead North & Rattray ward to join councillors Anne Allan and Fiona McRae in seeking election to Aberdeenshire Council.

Michael Doig spent 34 years teaching business studies and economics at Peterhead Academy, latterly as Depute Head Teacher, where he recently retired.

Welcoming Michael Doig to the SNP team, local MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford said:

“I’m delighted that Michael has agreed to be a candidate in the forthcoming council elections for Peterhead North & Rattray ward.”

Dr Whiteford added that Mr Doig’s record of community involvement was impressive.

Meanwhile, local councillors Anne Allan and Fiona McRae were unanimously reselected by local SNP members to contest the council elections in May.