Helmsdale continue to set pace as Golspie off to five-star start
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League champions Helmsdale United have emerged as the early pace setters in this year's North West Sutherland League with maximum points on board in the top tier.
United were made to work for the win on Saturday though, edging victory over Lochbroom by 3 goals to 2 at Couper Park.
The Ullapool visitors took the lead midway through the first half when Shaun Marshall volleyed home from a corner kick.
It looked as though Lochbroom may end the half with a goal advantage, but a long ball from Dean Cowie found Billy Cairns who made it 1–1 right on the stroke of half-time.
Spurred on by the leveller, it was United who started the second half in better form, grabbing a second on 55 minutes through Alfie Mackay. Five minutes later, a powerfully hit Kevin Cairns free kick made it 3–1.
With ten minutes to go, Lochbroom pulled a goal back through Seamus Charity to make for a nervy end to the game – but Cameron Yuill, noted by United as their man of the match, kept the away side at bay and Helmsdale held out for the win.
At Golspie, a dominant second half performance saw the hosts put Lochinver to the sword in their first game of the League 1 campaign.
A stuffy first half resulted in Stafford taking a 1–0 lead in at half-time with James Macrae on the scoresheet for the hosts.
Golspie made positional changes for the second period though, and they soon took control of the game, extending their lead through Mark Mackenzie.
The gap opened up when Aaron Smith made it three shortly after.
Lochinver did pull a goal back through frontman Jake Lockett, but any chance of a comeback was dashed when Gary Pullen made it 4–1.
A second for Mackenzie rounded off an emphatic 5–1 win.
The win puts Golspie Stafford second in the table, behind leaders Helmsdale United who sit on six points.
In League 2, Brora Wanderers were on the receiving end of a 5–0 defeat away to Tain. Elsewhere, Invergordon Social Club beat Inver 2–1.
