Tain Thistle moves to the top of division as Sutherland League splits into two
Clubs competing in this year’s North-west Sutherland amateur league learned their fate for the post-split phase of the summer season after a weekend of goals galore.
Results last weekend and on Wednesday confirm that the top half of the table will feature league leaders Tain Thistle and defending champions Golspie Stafford, along with Lochbroom, Inver and Lochinver.
The Tain Jags moved into pole position ahead of the split with back-to-back wins in the space of four days to round off fixtures in the upper half of the table.
John Maclellan’s side proved too strong for Lochinver at the Links last night, claiming a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
Thistle broke the deadlock after 25 minutes with a goal from Liam Rostock, before Callum Murray doubled their advantage.
Lochinver did reduce the deficit before half time, but a relentless Jags quickly restored their advantage through Scott MacDonald to take a 3-1 lead in at half-time.
It was all said and done when Finn As-Chainey added a fourth during a quieter second half.
On Saturday, the Easter Ross meeting between Tain and Inver served up a 12-goal thriller in what could only be described as a game of two halves at Osprey Park.
Inver had been in relentless form from the beginning, finding themselves 4-1 up at the interval thanks to doubles from Bruce Urquhart and Alex Mackenzie, with Callum Murray netting Tain’s only reply.
But a flurry of half-time substitutions and a half-time talking to saw Thistle re-emerge a different side with some quick attacking play seeing them eventually overturn the deficit.
Goals from Scott Macdonald and a brace from Adrian Voigt brought the scores level before a corner kick met Will Ross for a side-footed finish to make it 5-4.
Thistle extended their lead as Voigt notched his hat-trick before Macdonald grabbed his second to make it 7-5.
A late consolation for Inver came via Keigan Mackenzie.
At Culag Park, Lochinver shook off an early scare to edge past Embo in a 2-1 win.
A David Bell goal after seven minutes had Embo ahead in the game, before Jake Lockett brought the scores level before half-time.
Lockett, who has been the top marksman for the north-west Sutherland side this season, then grabbed the winner in the second half to secure his side’s place above Helmsdale United in the table.
Golspie Stafford reinforced their position in the league with an emphatic win in Ullapool.
Lochbroom had no answer to the champions as top league marksman Robbie Murray punished the hosts with four goals.
Goals from Alexander Mackay, Cameron Sutherland and Andy Robinson further heaped misery on the home side as Stafford claimed a decisive 7-2 victory.
Robert Macrae and Kyle Mackenzie notched in reply for the hosts.
Weekend fixtures:
Friday July 19 (NWS League 2):
Embo v Helmsdale United (7.30pm)
Saturday July 20 (NWS League Championship):
Lochinver v Inver
Tain Thistle v Golspie Stafford (2pm)
