Brora's winning streak hits buffers
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Brora Rangers 0 - 1 Forres Mechanics
BRORA’S four-match winning run came to an abrupt end last Saturday when they were defeated by a rejuvenated Forres Mechanics at Dudgeon Park.
The Highland League champions made an uncertain start to the season but since then they have steadily climbed the table and now sit two places above Brora in eighth place – just five points off the summit. However, Brora can feel justifiably aggrieved at losing the match, having dominated long spells of it.
Brora, who defeated the Can-Cans on the opening day of the season, made an encouraging start and Liam Baxter, who has just signed a new four-year extension to his contract, was not far away with a snap shot in the opening minutes.
The chances kept coming and Baxter, Steven MacKay and Martin MacLean all passed up one-on-one chances when through on goal.
The visitors sounded a warning note when Nathan Sharp crashed a long-range shot off the crossbar.
Brora created the first real chance of the second half when MacKay and Baxter linked in the build-up but Craig Campbell just failed to get on the end of Baxter’s cross and the chance was lost.
The home side looked the more likely to make the breakthrough but a set piece in the 65th minute changed all that. Kyle Scott rose above the Brora defence from a corner kick and his powerful header flashed past into the net to give the visitors the lead.
Brora were unable to create any clear cut chances after that as they disappointingly surrendered all three points.
BRORA coach, Alan Duff felt Brora should have won the match.
He told the Northern Times: "We totally dominated the first half, but our finishing let us down. If you don’t take your chances against the better sides you will get punished. Forres were always going to get a chance but it was poor defending from us that led to the goal."
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s match against league leaders Cove Rangers, he added: "Cove are the favourites for the title in my opinion – they are probably the best all-round side in the league. It should be a decent game of football.
"We’ve got some big games coming up in the next few weeks. We’ve got Buckie the following week, then the two derby games against Wick to look forward to."
Richard Hastings is expected to be Brora’s only absentee this weekend. The Canadian defender is suffering from a knee injury.
TOMORROW (Saturday) Brora make the 320-mile return trip to play Highland League leaders Cove Rangers at Allan Park – kick-off 3pm.
Brora – Ridgers, Skinner, Golabek, Hind, Lamb, M MacLean, Hart, Gillespie, MacKay, Campbell, Baxter. Subs – Greig, Grant, K MacLean, Allan, Ross.
