Brora continue to grow in confidence
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BRORA Rangers continued their excellent start to the season when they came away from Mosset Park with a 2-0 win against Forres Mechanics.
Goals in each half from Paul Brindle and Mark Nicolson were enough to give the Cattachs the three points, but in truth the margin of victory should have been greater as several good chances were squandered.
Brora attacked the Forres goal from the outset, and only Kyle Macleod will know how from three yards his header found the side netting after some great work in the build-up from Zander Sutherland.
On the 15-minute mark, Paul Brindle fired wide with the goal at his mercy and shortly afterwards Craig Campbell miscued another golden opportunity to open the scoring.
Andrew Macrae was busy up front for Forres but was getting little change out of the Brora back four. Brora had another chance to open the scoring when Nicolson met a cross from the left but his header sailed narrowly over the bar, much to the relief of Stuart Knight in the Forres goal.
However, persistence and patience paid off when Brindle opened the scoring after 42 minutes. Collecting the ball wide on the left, Brindle weaved his way through the Forres defenders and placed it low past the advancing Knight.
Forres were down to 10 men within five minutes of the restart when Graham Fraser was red-carded for a dangerous challenge on Ally MacDonald who needed medical treatment.
Brora got a much overdue second with 15 minutes remaining when Nicolson rose in a crowded penalty area to convert a Sutherland free kick.
Brora boss Steven Mackay praised his team, saying: "A huge part of being successful is our team physiology and being mentally fit for our games, and we have worked on both of these aspects in our preparations.
"This is evident in our high-tempo play, which in turn is increasing confidence levels in the players.
"We scored two great goals, perhaps should have had more, but Forres are tough opponents and I can only be delighted with our three points."
Forres manager Charlie Rowley said: "We were beaten by a far better side. We were not at the races in the first half.
"We performed better in the second half but Brora were deserved winners."
Paul Brindle hit the winner as Brora kept up their perfect start with a 2-1 victory over Clachnacuddin at Dudgeon Park on Wednesday night.
Zander Sutherland's opener was cancelled out by Clach's Scott Dunn on the stroke of half-time, but Brindle secured all three points after a fine run.
Assistant manager David Calder said: "It was great to get the third league victory. The boys have put a lot into the last 14 days with four victories in close succession. On another day we could have had a few more goals but we're happy with the results and the boys' attitude and togetherness."
Formartine United, Brora and Cove Rangers are now the only teams with 100 per cent league records, Cove having played one game fewer.
Brora face a difficult test this Saturday as they travel to Bellslea Park to take on a Fraserburgh side who won 3-0 at Keith in midweek.
* Dale Gillespie this week rejoined Brora Rangers for an undisclosed fee after a spell at Rothes.
