Home   Sport   Article

Golspie Sutherland look to make most of Caithness connection taking on Thurso


By Will Clark

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

GOLSPIE Sutherland manager Andrew Banks says having the majority of his squad coming from Caithness makes them fully aware of the challenge from Thurso on Saturday.

Grant Budge played at John O'Groats in Caithness Division One. Picture: Callum Mackay..
Grant Budge played at John O'Groats in Caithness Division One. Picture: Callum Mackay..

Golspie mostly features players from John O’Groats, Staxigoe United and Wick Groats who play in the Caithness Amateur Football Association during the summer months. They have also signed former Wick Academy midfielder Sam Mackay this season.

And Banks who played and managed at Staxigoe United says it is always an advantage to have that knowledge in his squad when playing Thurso or Halkirk United.

“It is always like a derby when we play Thurso,” he said.

“Most of our players come from three clubs, John O’Groats, Staxigoe United and Wick Groats so we know the players at Thurso.

“However we were quite surprised how they got beat at Halkirk United so heavily.

“But we know that it will be a tough game against them and hopefully we can get another three points.”

Golspie Sutherland beat Thurso on the opening day of the season 3–0 at The Dammies thanks to goals from Eddie MacGregor, Sam Mackay and Craig Ross.

Banks says it is surprising that the fixtures have been planned so the two teams are playing against each other again so quickly as they have yet to play other teams in the league.

But he says Golspie will have to improve from their injury time 2–1 win against St Duthus in Tain last week as they remain three points behind league leaders Invergordon.

“We weren’t playing particular well in the first hour of the game, but once we got back in it there was only one team that was going to win it,” he said.

“I didn’t think the goal was going to come for us after launching attack after attack but it did.

“It was an important win as it keeps us on track.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More