Shock as Wanderers defeat champions

BRORA Wanderers produced one of the shock results of the season in the Sutherland AFA League when they defeated defending champions Golspie Stafford 4-1 at School Park last Saturday.

Robert MacDonald gave Wanderers the lead mid-way through the first half when he knocked in a Scott Miller cross.

Scott Miller doubled the advantage in the 35th minute when he shrugged off his marker to score.Iain Innes gave Stafford hope when he pulled one back just before the break from the penalty spot after Darren Malcolm handled in the box.However, Miller was on target again for Wanderers in the 55th minute to make it 3-1.MacDonald was denied by the woodwork shortly afterwards but substitute Craig Sutherland added a fourth goal in the 80th minute when he outpaced the Stafford defence to score.In between the second half goals, Wanderers’ goalkeeper Ray McRitchie pulled off a couple of wonder saves from Shane Sutherland, who had spent the first half in goal for Stafford, and another one from Aaron Smith.Goals from Jamie Shepherd and Mart Stillwell earned Embo a 2-1 victory over Dornoch City. Russell MacKenzie netted for City.League leaders, Helmsdale United were awarded the points after Lairg Rovers failed to raise a team in the other scheduled match.Last Wednesday, Golspie Stafford ran out 5-0 winners against Helmsdale United to keep their title hopes alive.Stafford were 3-0 up after just 20 minutes thanks to a Shane Sutherland hat-trick.Iain Innes made it 4-0 with a quickly-taken free kick and Aaron Smith rounded off the scoring 10 minutes from the end.On Tuesday night, Golspie Stafford closed the gap on the leaders with an emphatic 7-1 win over Lairg Rovers at Stafford Park.Shane Sutherland opened the scoring for the home side in the second minute and Leon Urquhart quickly followed up with a second six minutes later.John MacDonald reduced the deficit with a stunning strike from 30-yards but Aaron Smith restored his side’s two-goal lead. Urquhart then scored the goal of the game when he picked the ball up in his own half and went on a mazy run before he finished with a deft chip.Further goals either side of the interval from Josh Melville and Blair Duncan put the result beyond doubt and substitute Walter MacKay rounded off the scoring from close range.In the other match, Brora Wanders produced back-to-back wins with a 3-1 victory over Dornoch City.Scott Miller (penalty), Robert MacDonald and Craig Sutherland netted for Wanderers, with Cameron Hook replying for City.? GOLSPIE Stafford take on crack Western Isle’s side Back in the quarter-finals of the MacLeod IFA Highland Amateur Cup at Dalmore Park, Alness tomorrow (Saturday).Stafford manager Ewen Campbell is hoping his "walking wounded" will be ready for the big match. He told the Northern Times: "We have a number of players out injured lately but hopefully most of them will be fit in time to face Back. We played three Western Isles’ sides last season in West Side, Carloway and Lochs on the way to last year’s final, so we know what to expect. It should be a very open game."Paul MacLaren is definitely out with a chipped ankle, while Gordon MacRae (thigh), Jordan Sutherland (ankle), Shane Sutherland (thigh) have a better chance of making it.Neil Stuart should also be available again.Fixtures – Saturday, July 9 – MacLeod IFA Highland Amateur Cup quarter-finals – 12.30pm – Back v Golspie Stafford (at Alness). League – Pattison Cup first round – 3pm - Helmsdale United v Dornoch City; Brora Wanderers v Embo.P W D L F A PHelmsdale United 8 6 0 2 21 13 18Embo 9 5 2 2 23 20 17Golspie Stafford 7 4 0 3 26 15 12Dornoch City 9 4 0 5 25 28 12Brora Wanderers 8 3 1 4 16 16 10Lairg Rovers 9 1 1 7 17 36 4

Sutherland AFA League

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