CATTACHS LIFT THE NORTH CUP

MACRAE GOAL SECURES TROPHY DOUBLE FOR CAMPBELL’S MEN

Saturday October 1

CLACHNACUDDIN...........................1 (1)

L Mackenzie 28

BRORA RANGERS...........................2 (1)

J MacRae 7, A Macrae 66

Clach: Mackinnon, Morrison, Black, Cormack, Warren, Sutherland, Callum (Logan), Anderson, Thompson, Brindle (Bunce), L Mackenzie (Gillies). Not used: Riddle, Macleod, Chalmers, Rae. Brora: Nicol, Kelly (Sutherland), A Macdonald, Williamson, Nicolson, Gillespie, Maclean, Meekigns, J MacRae (Gamble), A Macrae, Ewan (G Macdonald). Not used: Gunn.

Referee: G Seago.

Craig Campbell’s impressive Brora Rangers completed a cup double for the calendar year with a 2–1 win over hosts Clachnacuddin on Saturday, October 1st.

With the scores level at the interval, it took a goal from Andrew Macrae midway through the second period to decide upon the destination of the trophy, as the Cattachs lifted their sixth North of Scotland Challenge Cup in the last ten years.

The final itself was originally set to be played at Lossiemouth’s Grant Park, but was moved to Grant Street Park in a bid to attract more spectators to the game. The move, which was agreed following a consultation with the both clubs, handed finalists Clachnacuddin an unlikely home advantage.

But it was visitors Brora who took the initiative after just seven minutes – the opening goal coming after good work between Dale Gillespie and Jordan MacRae, the latter sending the ball beyond the keeper and over the line with the Clach defence in close quarters.

The home side remained undeterred though, and they could have had an equaliser moments later when Brora keeper Ruardhri Nicol was called into action to prevent a net bound header from Lilywhites defender Gary Warren.

Shaun Sutherland also came close for Clach with a shot that rattled the crossbar and it was only to be a matter of time before the equaliser arrived on 28 minutes.

A ball from Robbie Thompson through the middle of the Brora defence found Lewis Mackenzie and the midfielder made no mistake with a low driven shot past Nicol to make it 1–1.

With both sides in pursuit of a second half winner, it was the Cattachs who eventually found the net with a goal from Andrew Macrae.

The in-form striker fired his side in front on 66 minutes when he connected with a Martin Maclean ball across goal, making no mistake from six yards out.

Despite a valiant effort from Clach, Brora held on to their slender lead to secure victory.

The Sutherland club now hold possession of two of the north’s most senior cups at the same time, having won the Highland League Cup back in April with a win over Buckie Thistle.

Pic: Donald Cameron

Results, lineups, scorers, tables and more

The all-new Football Times monthly newsletter aims to bring you a traditional look at local football from across the North of Scotland.

Bringing you results and team lists from tiers 5 and 6 of the North based Scottish football pyramid, the Football Times is the product of research and moments captured by a team of football enthusiastis and photographers aiming to put the lower tiers of Highland football under the spotlight.

In this month’s edition, we cover the cup successes of Brora Rangers FC and Culter JFC, while also highlighting the league progress across the Highland League, Midlands League, North Premier League and the North Caledonian League. We have also extended our coverage to include the Under 18 ranks of the Highland and the recently concluded SWF Highlands & Islands women’s league.