Sutherland and Brora Rangers each suffer defeats in first matches of 2022 Highlands and Islands League
Neither Sutherland nor Brora Rangers managed to pick up points in their opening contests in the Highlands and Islands League.
The two sides had been due to start the league campaign against each other two weeks ago, only for that match to be postponed, meaning that they were both aiming to put their first points on the board last weekend.
First up was Brora Rangers, with the Cattachs at home against Caithness on Saturday.
It was not to be for the Dudgeon Park outfit, though, as they lost out 7–0, with Donna Majilton adding to hat tricks from Lauren Ross and Carly Erridge.
Sutherland, Highlands and Islands League Cup winners in 2021, had a much closer contest against the team they defeated in that final – Clachnacuddin.
It still was not enough to claim the points though, as a slow start put them on the back foot early on.
Clach took the lead in the eighth minute and doubled it 10 minutes after the restart, with prolific forward Betty Ross and Hazel Hunter getting on the scoresheet.
Sutherland would have something to show for their efforts, as Rachael Sutherland found the net in stoppage time, but it was too late for the visitors to mount a comeback.
Although both sides are still searching for their first points of 2022, then, they will each have chances to steal a march on some of their rivals this weekend.
League Cup action means that only two matches are scheduled for the league, with Sutherland due to be at home to Kirkwall – who suffered a heavy 8–0 defeat to Buckie Ladies’ development squad and sit at the bottom of the table after one match as a result.
Brora Rangers, meanwhile, are set to make the journey out to the islands to take on an Orkney side who lost 3–0 to Nairn St Ninian last week, but still sit one place above the Cattachs.
