Golspie Sutherland aim for North Caledonian Cup final glory in own back yard against Invergordon
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GOLSPIE Sutherland are aiming to finish their season by lifting silverware at their own ground when they face Invergordon in the North Caledonian Cup final tomorrow.
Golspie have been given home advantage for the final which will be played at King George V Park at 2pm.
Manager Mark McKernie says his players are pumped up for playing a cup final in front of their own fans.
He says he is determined that they come out on top and have something to show for their efforts this season, which he described as a frustrating campaign for the club.
“It could be a good end to the season as it has been a frustrating one,” he admitted.
“There have been boys who have been unavailable for games and we have had to work to recruit players into the team.
“But things are looking promising going into next season.”
He added: “We have a few experienced players coming back into the team, who will give young players a hand.
“They will look to use their knowledge of playing in a cup final.
“But we will be missing a couple of players for the squad.”
Golspie Sutherland finished in sixth place in the North Caledonian League and were 20 points off champions Loch Ness.
However, Golspie did beat Loch Ness twice during the campaign, including a 2-1 win in Fortrose in the semi final last month.
McKernie says there is a lot to be optimistic at Golspie next season, saying he has a good squad more than capable of improving this season’s position.
“This season has been a mixed bag for us,” said McKernie.
“One week we had a good result then the next week we had a bad result.
“It has been frustrating, but with the age group in our squad, I kind of knew that is what I was going to get this season.
“This is my first season as manager, but I have been coaching for six years and there hasn’t been much that I haven’t dealt with before.
“But I have learned a few things myself this season as well.”
Golspie take on an Invergordon team who finished second in the table and beat them 6-2 two weeks ago.
McKernie is wary of the challenge his team face in the final tomorrow.
But he knows his players are good enough to secure victory and lift the trophy at full time.
“We played them a couple of weeks ago in what was really an end of season game for us against them,” says McKernie.
“We were missing a few players in that match.
“Invergordon will be looking for a decent end to the season as well.
“They are a good team who did run Loch Ness close in the North Caledonian League.
“The cup final should be a good spectacle and hopefully we will get a good turnout for the final as well, with the match being played in Golspie.”
