United leave it late in thrilling draw
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HELMSDALE United have taken four points from their last two games in the Do Soccer Ross-Sutherland AFA League to stay on course for a top three finish.
United came from 3-0 down against Brora Wanderers at School Park to earn themselves a point in a thrilling finale.
Wanderers broke the deadlock midway through the second period when Gary MacLeod netted. Robert MacDonald then doubled the advantage five minutes later.
When Iain Stewart made it 3-0 for Wanderers in the 80th minute there looked to be no way back for United.
But United were thrown a lifeline in the 83rd minute when Dominic Cowie forced an error in the Wanderers defence which led to a Jimmy Sutherland own goal.
Duncan Davidson further reduced the deficit when he broke clear to net and in the final minute Cowie completed an amazing comeback when he slipped the ball into the net from close range.
On Saturday, United took all three points in a 3-2 victory against Lairg Rovers.
Billy Cairns skipped past a couple of defenders and fired into the bottom corner to put United ahead in the 20th minute.
However, Rovers got back on level terms in the 35th minute when Craig Caunter scored from the penalty spot.
United restored their lead on the hour when Billy Riddell scored with a header from a corner. The visitors stretched their lead 10 minutes later through Riddell.Scott Smith pulled one back for Rovers five minutes from the end but United held on.
Golspie Stafford held on to top spot thanks to back-to-back wins against Lairg Rovers and Dornoch City.
George Jones and Tony Farquhar hit doubles as Stafford put Rovers to the sword in a 7-2 win. Josh Melville, Aaron Smith and Adam Sutherland were also on target. Craig Caunter and Ally Robertson replied for Rovers.
Against Dornoch City, Liam Sutherland gave Stafford an early lead. Aaron Smith made it 2-0 in the 75th minute from the end with a chip over City keeper David Mitchell. Cameron Hook pulled one back for City with eight minutes to spare but Stafford held out.
TOMORROW (Saturday) North Caledonian League side Golspie Sutherland play a match against Buckie Thistle to mark the 60th anniversary of the opening of King George V Park.
Golspie fenced off their park in order to qualify for SFA membership and the Highland League side agreed to play against a Sutherland select. The Golspie side tomorrow will also be a select team with only a couple of regulars in the squad. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Do Soccer Ross-Sutherland AFA league fixtures — Tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm): Pattison Cup Final — Dornoch City v Avoch. MacLean Cup semi-final — Contin v Helmsdale United. Tuesday (July 9, 7.30pm) – Paul Cup semi-finals: Dornoch City v Lairg Rovers; Golspie Stafford v Helmsdale United.
