Golspie Stafford grab place in final after thirteen-goal thriller
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The curtain fell on this year's North West Sutherland league campaign last night, as Lairg Rovers welcomed champions Golspie Stafford to Ferrycroft Park.
There was an 'end of season' feel to the match as the teams served up a thirteen-goal bonanza with Stafford emerging as winners by 8 goals to 5 – despite finishing with only ten men.
The game also counted as one half of the Mackay Cup semi-finals, with the Golspie men securing their place in this year's cup final.
Stafford went into the game without a goalkeeper, and midfield man Paul Cowie was called upon to deputise between the sticks. But his evening finished early after referee Stephen McDade sent the stand-in off for a second caution.
James Macrae got Golspie off the mark with a goal after just three minutes.
They doubled their advantage on the 25 minute mark through Robbie Sutherland and three minutes before the break, Macrae notched again to make it 3–0.
Lairg did reduce the deficit after the restart though, netting through James Ross before Alexander Mackay restored Golspie's three goal lead.
Cowie was given his first caution on 56 minutes for a foul which resulted in Ross notching a second for Lairg, converting a penalty kick.
A quickfire double from Cameron Sutherland – both set pieces – extended Stafford's lead to 6–2, and the game began to look out of sight for the home side.
A goal for either side, David Munro for Golspie on 69 minutes, then Adam Mackay on 71 minutes, took the score to 7–3, before Cowie was given his marching orders for a foul inside the area.
Ross then netted his hat-trick and his side's fourth, again from the penalty spot.
With a man advantage, Lairg closed the gap to just two goals through Caleb Munro with six minutes to go.
But a last minute goal from Mark Mackenzie rounded off the goalfest, making it 8–5 to the visitors.
The other semi-finalists, Lochbroom and Inver, meet tonight at the Highland Football Academy in Dingwall.
A date for the final is yet to be confirmed.
