Gutsy Golspie battle to victory
GOLSPIE Sutherland showed their battling qualities in a 4-3 victory over fellow North Caledonian League side Muir of Ord Rovers at Pavilion Park last Saturday.
After Golspie deservedly led 3-1 at the break, Rovers hit back in the second half but Golspie held out to secure three valuable points.
Golspie made an impressive start to the match and Ally MacLeod headed them in front following a corner kick in the 16th minute.
The visitors doubled their advantage shortly afterwards when Shaun Kerr found the back of the net.
Rovers were all at sea and their cause was not helped when Daryl Henderson limped off with a serious ankle injury.
It took a stunning free kick from Mark Gair in the 25th minute to get the home side back in the match.
However, Golspie restored their two-goal lead 12 minutes from the break when MacLeod scored again, this time with a deflected drive.
Rovers started the second half in a more determined mood and they reduced the deficit again with another deadly free kick from Gair.
Eddie Fuller was denied by the woodwork as Rovers piled forward in search of an equaliser but time ran out for the home side when Steve Anderson added a fourth goal for Golspie in the final minute to make it 4-2.
Gillies MacKenzie scored a consolation counter with the last kick of the match.
Sutherland United slumped to their second defeat of the season in a 6-1 loss to Alness United at Dalmore Park last Saturday.
In the first meeting between the two teams Alness held the upper hand early on and they forged ahead in the 10th minute after Liam Muir finished off a fine flowing move.
Three more goals in the next 25 minutes killed the match as a contest with Michael MacKenzie, Stuart Murray and Craig Munro the players on target.
It was the same story in the second half with the home side well on top and MacKenzie made it 5-0 in the 67th minute with another clinical finish.
The Sutherland side pulled one back almost immediately through Craig Sutherland but it was Alness who had the final say.
Daniel Lowe was brought down inside the box with 10 minutes left on the clock and Munro made no mistake from 12 yards to complete the scoring.
In the North Caledonian Cup Halkirk United and Shetland progressed after wins over Orkney and Thurso respectively.
Tomorrow’s NCL fixtures – 2.30pm – Golspie Sutherland v Thurso; Muir of Ord Rovers v Clachnacuddin.