First round wins for Lochbroom, Helmsdale and Lairg as north west Sutherland amateur season kicks off
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Lochbroom, Helmsdale United and Lairg Rovers scored victories last Saturday to book their places in the semi-final of the Stafford Cup as the curtain was lifted on the first North West Sutherland amateur season since 2019.
At Inver, Lochbroom played their first competitive match in eight years and were made to work for their first win with thirteen goals scored between both sides.
Robert Macrae headed the west coasters into the lead early on but a penalty kick scored by Jordan Hailes put Inver back on to level terms shortly after.
The tide turned the way of the visitors on 20 minutes when a red card was shown to Inver midfielder Charlie Beattie, and they had amassed a 7–2 lead by the time of the interval.
Inver offered a sole reply through Calum Robinson, while Lochbroom were on target through player/manager Ben Bruce (hat-trick), Shaun Marshall, Kaden Irvine and Stuart Mackay.
Undeterred, Inver fought back in the second half and an own goal, along with another for Hailes and a very good goal from 16 year old Alex Mackenzie saw them reduce the deficit to just two goals.
But a late second for Marshall, Lochbroom's only goal of the half, killed off Inver's hopes and ended the tie as a contest with a full time score of 8–5 in the visitors' favour.
Helmsdale United narrowly defeated Lochinver in front of a big crowd at Culag Park. In excellent summer weather, the referee twice had to call for a water break with both sides finding it tough going in the heat.
After hitting the bar earlier in the match, United broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time when Kevin Cairns met an Ally Macrae cross with a low driven strike.
They doubled their advantage early in the second half when Cairns linked up with his brother Billy on the right flank, leaving Paul Gordon to do the honours with a good finish.
Clarke Hutchison pulled a goal back for the home team moments later with a shot to the goalkeeper's right but any chances of a comeback were dashed when Lochinver's Jake Pirie was dismissed for a reckless foul, reducing the west Sutherland side to ten men.
Lairg Rovers advanced to the semis with a closely fought 2–0 win over Dornoch at Ferrycroft Park.
Rovers opened the scoring shortly before half time after good work down the right saw Adam Mackay break clear and fire home from just outside the box.
Mackay was in the thick of it for the second goal too, earning his side a penalty award after being taken down by Dornoch's Adam Allan. Craig Ross from 12 yards made no mistake with the spot kick.
Fixtures for Saturday, April 30:
Stafford Cup semi-final: Helmsdale United v Lairg Rovers (1pm)
