Title hopes kept alive for Wanderers
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A LAST gasp goal from Garry MacLeod kept Brora Wanderers’ hopes of a title play-off alive in a thrilling 3-2 victory over fellow league side Helmsdale United at Couper Park last Saturday.
Wanderers needed all three points to keep the pressure on leaders Golspie Stafford but they found themselves a goal down after 25 minutes when James Jappy raced on to a long ball from Angus Flett to score.
However, Garry MacLeod kept Wanderers in the match when he pulled one back for Wanderers before the interval. United made a lightning start to the second half and Jappy had the ball in the net within 30 seconds after he disposed a Wanderers defender to net.
But back came Wanderers and it was MacLeod who was on target again to set up a grandstand finish.
But time looked to have run out for Wanderers when MacLeod popped up with a dramatic stoppage time winner to keep the title race alive.
Golspie Stafford can clinch the title tonight (Friday) if they take at least a point from their home match with Dornoch City.
Dornoch City and Embo settled for a point apiece in a 1-1 draw at Meadows Park.
John MacKay gave Embo the best of starts in the fourth minute when he powered home a 35-yard drive.
City pressed for an equaliser but they found Embo goalkeeper Steve Mure, who was certainly in fine form between the sticks.
But Mure was beaten in the 16th minute when Tom Smith let fly with a low drive which flew into the corner of the net.
It was end to end stuff by this stage and Embo’s Dylan Murray had a cross-cum-shot which rebounded off the crossbar.
City started the second half strongly and the woodwork came to Embo’s rescue early on.
But Embo were far from out of things and Garrick Taylor was unlucky with a long range shot which struck the bar.
Embo had a chance in the last minute when a Craig MacKay free kick was flicked on in a crowded goalmouth but City managed to clear.
Last Wednesday, Brora Wanderers strolled into the last four of the Pattison Cup after a 5-1 victory over Helmsdale United at Couper Park.
Craig Sutherland (2), Robert MacDonald (2), and Scott Miller got the goals for Wanderers, with Luke Sawyer United’s lone marksman.
On Tuesday night, Dornoch City reached the final of the Pattison Cup thanks to a 4-2 victory over Lairg Rovers at Meadows Park.
Sean Henstridge gave Rovers an early lead but Stephen Dixon levelled mid-way through the first half with an angled drive.
Cameron Hook made it 2-1 for the home side just before the break with a stunning 20-yard drive.
Kieran Rooney stretched the lead early in the second period when he latched on to a defence splitting pass from Stuart Campbell to score.
Neil MacDonald reduced the deficit shortly afterwards but Dixon put the result beyond doubt when he fired home a fourth goal for City with 15 minutes to spare.
? Apologies to City’s Stephen Dixon for not crediting him with both his side’s goals in the 2-1 Pattison Cup first round victory over Golspie Stafford, as reported in last week’s NT.
Fixtures: Friday, July 21 - League – 7.30pm - Golspie Stafford v Dornoch City. Wednesday, July 25 – 7.30pm – Brora Wanderers v Lairg Rovers.
