Stunning show nets silverware for Rovers
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
MUIR of Ord Rovers clinched the Football Times Cup after an impressive 3-0 victory over fellow North Caledonian League side Halkirk United at Seaboard Park, Balintore last Saturday.
Rovers had won only one of the previous three meetings between the teams this season, but there was only going to be one winner in this clash after Gillies MacKenzie gave them an early lead.
Alan Fraser won the ball back on the edge of the area and his cross into the box was smashed home by MacKenzie.
Rovers were well on top and they doubled their advantage in the 35th minute when Eddie Fuller was felled in the box and referee Gavin Dearie immediately pointed to the spot. Alan Geegan made no mistake from 12 yards.
Halkirk made more of a fight of it in the second half but Rovers’ defensive pairing of Davie Brennan and John Skinner dealt with everything that came their way.
Rovers added a killer third goal in the final minute of the match when substitute Dean Allison tested the Halkirk keeper with a fiercely struck shot and man-of-the-match Kevin Fraser followed up to slot home the rebound.
Halkirk finished the match with nine men after a spate of bookings in the closing stages of the final.
In the last league match of the season, Golspie Sutherland ran out 6-4 winners in an incredible match against Dingwall Thistle at King George V Park.
Amazingly the home side were 5-0 up inside the first half hour.
Shaun Kerr opened the scoring in the seventh minute when he headed home a loose ball in the Thistle box.
Ross Grant doubled the lead five minutes later with a close-range effort and Kerr was on target again in the 14th minute when he turned his marker and fired high into the net.
The goals kept coming and Shane Sutherland got in on the act after 22 minutes when he raced clear on goal.
Tommy Campbell made it 5-0 a minute later with a spectacular 40-yard lob which caught Thistle goalkeeper Stephen Hyslop off his line.
Thistle staged a mini-revival when Martin Godwin pulled one back in the 32nd minute when he sidefooted into the net from six yards. Substitute Michael Manson grabbed another one for the visitors in the first minute of the second half with a 20-yard drive.
But Golspie went 6-2 up in the 56th minute when Sean Henstridge was first to react after a John Smith header was parried by Hyslop.
It was Thistle who finished the stronger, however. Alan Houston knocked in a Paul Gair assist in the 69th minute and Craig Stuart further reduced the deficit three minutes later with a superbly struck volley after Darren Gollar set him up.
But it was too little too late as all the damage had been done in the first quarter of the match.
Meanwhile, Dingwall Thistle aim to finish the season with a cup double when they clash with Halkirk United in the SWL Cup final at Dudgeon Park, Brora tomorrow (Saturday).
Thistle lifted the Jock MacKay Memorial Cup a couple of weeks ago and would love to secure more silverware in what could be their final season in the league.
Thistle manager Alan Gair said: "The club are finding it difficult to stay afloat — we have little in the way of funds. We may not be able to take part next season."
Looking ahead to Saturday’s match, Gair added: "Halkirk have been worthy champions and it will be difficult. But it would be great to finish the season with another trophy in what could be our last game."
Thistle will be hoping Steven MacLean and Martin MacLean will both be available for the final, although Norman Bain has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
? Fixtures, Saturday, April 21 – SWL Cup Final – 2pm – Halkirk United v Dingwall Thistle (at Dudgeon Park, Brora).
