‘We have tough decisions to make’ — Tain Thistle assistant boss praises quality of squad after win at Helmsdale
Tain Thistle sit top of the North-west Sutherland amateur league again — albeit on goal difference — thanks to a 3-1 win at Helmsdale on Saturday.
The Easter Ross outfit bounced back from defeat away to defending champions, Golspie, and they now face the prospect of another visit to Stafford Park on cup final business next weekend.
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18-year-old assistant coach Alex McDonald, who has been tasked with taking the reins at Tain Thistle while manager John Maclellan serves a three-match touchline ban, believes his side’s quality saw them through what was a game of two halves at Couper Park.
McDonald said: “We didn’t start great in the game. It was a cagey fair with chances for both sides. With the injuries we have we were forced to play an unfamiliar formation, so I think it took us a wee while to get settled in.
“The offside call for Billy’s goal was a controversial one, but we made up for it with the goal from Adrian, finishing really well across goal into the bottom corner.
“Second half, we resorted back to our typical formation and the game swung in our favour. Biz has scored a stunning strike into the bottom corner and we were on top for the rest of the game after that. The game needed that extra goal though and Scotty got that for us and it settled the nerves.
“I think the game showed the quality we have. Beating one of the top teams is always what you want, and it puts us in good stead for the rest of the season. Our aim is to keep that going for the rest of the season now.
“Obviously next week we have a cup final away to Golspie. All eyes are now on preparing for that. It’s going to be a tough game with a lot of tough decisions to make with the squad. We’re really looking forward to this one.”
It wasn’t all plain sailing for Tain on Saturday, as they fell a goal down to Helmsdale United in the first half.
A well-hit volley from Jack Wardrop put the hosts into the lead midway through the first half.
Thistle did have the ball in the net shortly after though, through Billy Knox, but the winger’s net-bound effort was disallowed for offside.
The opener was eventually cancelled out by Tain’s Adrian Voigt after good work from Finn As-Chainey to slip the ball into the path of the forward.
As-Chainey was the provider again in the second half as the Jags took the lead, finding Alexander Scott who sent a rasping 20-yard shot past Cameron Yuill.
It was all over for the Helmsdale men when Scott MacDonald added Thistle’s third, slotting home on the end of a third As-Chainey assist.
At Osprey Park, Inver fell 0-2 to Golspie Stafford, who make it five wins out of five to continue their unbeaten start to the league.
Goals from Robbie Sutherland and Robbie Murray early in the first half were all the visitors needed to take all three points.
A sending off for Callum Grant in the second half killed off Inver’s chances of a comeback.
Brora Wanderers’ recent upturn in form was halted with a narrow loss away to Lochbroom, losing by the odd goal in seven.
Goals from Luke Ainsworth and Jake Bell fired Brora into a first half lead, before an early second half fightback saw Lochbroom draw level with goals from Shaun Marshall and Louis Sears.
Undeterred, Brora retook the lead from a corner kick when Calum Finlayson nodded home - but their advantage was to prove short lived, as Robert Macrae headed in a corner of his own to bring Lochbroom level.
An entertaining finale followed before Kaden Irvine finished the job for the home side, firing a shot across goal and in at the far post.
In the only other game of the day at Culag Park, Lochinver got back to winning ways with an impressive 7-1 win over Melvich.
Gary Fisher and Clarke Hutchinson both chipped in with a brace each, combined with successful attempts from Jake Lockett, Jack Hatherall and Darren Newton.
Lewis Swan netted in reply for Melvich.
The scheduled meeting between Lairg Rovers and Embo was cancelled due to Embo being unable to raise a team. Consequently, a walkover 3-0 win was awarded to Lairg.
Upcoming fixtures:
Wednesday, June 26 — League
Golspie Stafford v Brora Wanderers (7.30pm)
Saturday, June 29 — Stafford Cup Final
Golspie Stafford v Tain Thistle (1pm) — at Stafford Park, Golspie
