Late goal keeps Golspie’s perfect league start alive at Brora
Tain Thistle and Golspie Stafford continue to lead the charge in the North West Sutherland Amateur League, with both sides taking their tally to three wins from three over the weekend.
But it was no simple task for Golspie at School Park as they left it late to secure a narrow 1-0 win away to Brora Wanderers.
The match was settled in the final few minutes by a deflected free kick from Staffs veteran campaigner Aaron Smith, with some suggesting it may have been an own goal.
It could have been a different story had Brora converted a penalty award for handball midway through the second half, but Tony Miller missed the target with his effort, hitting the upright.
A standout performance from goalkeeper Ryan Renwick helped preserve a clean sheet for Golspie.
Reflecting on the result, Golspie boss Keegan Campbell described the game as “very close and very scrappy,” admitting that neither side looked significantly stronger than the other.
“We had a very young team starting, a couple of 15-year-olds and some boys who don’t usually get a lot of minutes because we were missing a few key players,” he said.
“I was very pleased with how the young boys played though. Both teams had chances – Brora missed a penalty and we hit the crossbar – so it really could’ve gone either way.”
At the Links, Tain Thistle extended their perfect start with a comprehensive 7-1 home win over Embo.
The hosts took the lead on 15 minutes when Adam Allan headed home, before midfield man Alexander Scott doubled the advantage.
Embo responded through David Bell who capitalised well on a defensive slip to keep things close at the interval – but Tain returned in ruthless mood.
Goals from Neil Moir and John Maclellan stretched the lead to 4-1, with Maclellan going on to net a brace before making way for Liam Rostock who opened his account for the season.
Kealan Hartnett completed the scoring.
In the only other game of the day, Helmsdale United made it four points from two games with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Melvich.
A strike from Alfie Mackay gave the visitors a first-half lead, before Michael Smith levelled for the hosts just after the break.
Lewis Gill struck the winner for United following a well-worked team move.
This coming weekend, Golspie Stafford have a chance to take top spot with champions Tain Thistle sitting out of league action.
Fixtures for Saturday, June 7:
Lairg Rovers v Lochinver
Inver v Melvich
Helmsdale United v Brora Wanderers
Golspie Stafford v Embo
