Neil Gauld’s eight goals in Formartine United’s 10-0 victory at Strathspey Thistle last Saturday equalled Wick forward Gary Weir’s record for the most goals scored by one player in a Highland League game.
Weir scored all eight Academy goals in a 8-1 victory against Fort William in October 2013, eclipsing several seven-goal hauls.
Gauld was delighted to join such a select group and the 27-year-old former Inverurie Locos player said: “I did scored five goals in one game at Fort William a few years ago but to score eight times last Saturday at Strathspey was simply amazing.
“We played a 4-4-2 formation up at Seafield Park with two wide players which helped set up some of the chances.
“But it was one of those days when everything fell right to my feet all afternoon, and it was great that we were able to secure second spot in the table from Brora on goal-difference as it gets us a bye into the second round of the Scottish Cup.”
Several players have scored seven goals in one league game, including Jim Hosie’s haul in Ross County’s record 13-2 victory against Fraserburgh on March 20, 1965.
On November 28, 1964, Hosie’s County team-mate Tommy Ross also scored seven, including what was at the time the fastest hat-trick with three goals in 70 seconds as the Staggies beat Nairn County 8-1.
Deveronvale’s Eddie Wolecki, now head coach of Aidrieonians, helped himself to seven in a thumping 10-1 win at Nairn during the 1995-96 season.
Keith centre forward Mitch Bavidge, father of Inverurie Locos attacker Martin, scored seven goals in an 8-3 league win against Huntly on March 6, 1982, and former Rothes and Lossiemouth midfielder Charlie Gervaise did it in the Coasters’ 1959 triumph against Inverness Thistle.
On September 6, 1952, Inverness Caledonian’s Andy Mitchell scored all 10 goals as his side thrashed Fraserburgh 10-3 in the Scottish Qualifying Cup.