Football Times Cup win can spur St Duthus on in North Caledonian League title challenge
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St Duthus co-manager Andrew Ross is hoping his side’s Football Times Cup triumph can help spur his players on as they attempt to rekindle their title challenge.
Saints came from behind to beat Golspie Sutherland 3-2 in a final which eventually lived up to expectations after a slow start in front of a good sized crowd at Brora’s Dudgeon Park.
Saints' leading marksman Ben Bruce scored twice to take his tally for the season to 19 goals and Liam Rostock came off the bench to score a decisive third goal for the Tain outfit.
“After losing the first final of the season to Orkney it was good to bounce back,” said Ross.
“There is still a long way to go but hopefully we can use the win to push on in the league.”
He added: “We were disappointed to lose our last couple of league games but we are happy to pick up a cup – it is a really difficult to do in this league.”
There was little in the way of goalmouth incidents before Golspie Sutherland’s Craig Ross eventually broke the deadlock in the final minute of the first half with a stunning 30-yard drive.
But Saints came to life after the half time break, and Ben Bruce weaved his way into the box and stroked the ball past Golspie keeper Graeme Williamson to bring the scores back level.
Bruce took his tally for the season to 19 seven minutes later when he lashed a Stefan McRitchie assist into the far corner of the net.
Liam Rostock added a third goal for Saints with practically his first touch, catching Williamson off his line with a deft lob.
Adam Sutherland pulled one back four minutes from the end but it was too little too late for an out-of-sorts Golspie.
It’s back to league business for Saints tomorrow when they host Halkirk United at Grant Park.
Bonar Bridge play Golspie Sutherland, while Inverness Athletic travel to Thurso.
Invergordon are also back in action tomorrow when they set sail for Orkney.
“It is a big game – we are looking forward to it,” said Invergordon manager Gary Campbell.
“We have a good record up there hopefully we can keep our run going.”
