Brora Rangers go top of the Highland League with win at Clachnacuddin

Clachnacuddin 1

Brora Rangers 2

Scorers: Brora - Maclean (8) Macrae (57) Clach - Gillies (78)

BRORA Rangers go into Saturday’s top of the table Highland League clash with Buckie Thistle top of the table after victory at Clachnacuddin.

Goals from Martin Maclean and Andrew Macrae helped the Cattachs leapfrog Buckie into pole position despite Alasdair Gillies pulling one back for the hosts late in the game.

Dale Gillespie was sent off for Brora Rangers in injury time but it was too late for Clachnacuddin to come back.

Brora Rangers created the first chance of the game when Martin Maclean sent a pass through the heart of the Clach defence to allow James Wallace a shot a goal. But he fired his low drive wide of the right post.

But the Sutherlanders broke the deadlock after eight minutes when Wallace sent a pass to Maclean at the edge of the box and he struck a sweet curling strike past goalkeeper Ryan Hunter.

Brora continued to pile on the pressure and Wallace caused panic in the Clach defence when he connected with a corner kick from 12 yards forcing a save from Hunter.

Wagenaar also caused problems when he charged from midway towards goal with a powerful low drive that forced another save from the Clach goalkeeper.

Mark Nicolson came close to doubling Brora’s advantage before half time when he nodded Wagenaar's corner inches over the bar.

Brora Rangers started the second half the same way they finished the first piling on the pressure with Neil Macdonald’s powerful low drive forcing a good save from Hunter.

Dale Gillespie’s free kick into the box found Wagenaar whose cross found the boot of Andrew Macrae in the six yard box but he couldn’t guide the ball on target.

But Macrae doubled Brora advantage three minutes before the hour mark as the ball broke to him on the edge of the box and he fired a low drive into the bottom left corner past Hunter.

Gillies pulled one back for Clachnacuddin 11 minutes from time pouncing on a header in defence by Colin Macrae and charged towards goal.

Joe Malin saved Gillies' first shot but couldn't stop the rebound as the Ross-shire teenager gave Clach hope.

Dale Gillespie was sent off in injury time for picking up a second yellow card but Brora Rangers held on to take all three points home.

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