Emphatic win puts Stafford through
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GOLSPIE Stafford are left to fly the flag for East Sutherland in the Highland Amateur Cup after an emphatic first round 6-0 victory over local rivals Brora Wanderers at Stafford Park last Saturday.
Stafford, along with North West Sutherland side Tongue United, who defeated Top Joes 3-2, are the only county survivors.
Stafford found themselves three goals to the good after just 14 minutes.
Shane Sutherland opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a typically opportunist goal, and Iain Innes bent a free kick into the top corner to make it 2-0 five minutes later.
Liam Sutherland stretched the lead when he smashed the ball high into the net after Shane Sutherland and Blair Duncan combined in the build up.
Wanderers tried desperately to get back into the tie and Gary MacLeod tested Stafford goalkeeper Gordon MacRae early in the second half.
But Aaron Smith added a fourth for Stafford shortly afterwards with a fine solo run.
It got worse for Wanderers when they lost the services of keeper Graham MacRae, who dislocated his shoulder.
Stafford finished the tie well on top and Shane Sutherland made it 5-0 before Innes netted a sixth five minutes from the end to complete the scoring.
Stafford are at home to Thurso Pentland in the second round on Saturday, May 26, while Tongue have been drawn away to Wick Rovers.
Dornoch City put up a good show against Halkirk before going down 3-1 at The Meadows.
After a goal-less first half, the Caithness side raced into a 3-0 lead. City pulled one back in the 70th minute when Craig Sutherland converted from the penalty spot but Halkirk held out for a place in the next round.
Lochinver lost 8-2 at home to Thurso Swifts with Christopher Campbell scoring both their goals, while Lairg Rovers were beaten 7-3 by Thurso Pentland at Sir George’s Park. Lairg’s goalscorers were Andy Murray, Dean Fraser (penalty) and Scott Smith.
In the other tie involving a Sutherland club, Kinlochbervie were on the wrong end of a 14-1 scoreline against crack Caithness outfit Pentland United at Durness.
