Fourth time lucky for Brora Rangers

Brora Rangers 4, Formartine United 2

IT was fourth time lucky for Brora Rangers when they finally got the better of Formartine United to reach the last four of the Highland League Cup.

Brora have lost home and away to Formartine this season and were also knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Steve Paterson’s side. But the tables finally turned last Saturday when they teams met for the fourth time this season. Brora got off to a flyer in the sixth minute when Steven MacKay headed home an Andrew Greig cross at the back post.

But it was all-square again a couple of minutes later when Michael Ewen nipped in to score.

However, the home side restored their advantage seven minutes from the break. Liam Baxter raced on to a Ritchie Hart pass and deftly lobbed United keeper Andy Shearer from fully 25-yards. But United refused to lie down and Ewen was on target again with a clinical finish. However, Brora got their noses in front again just before the hour mark when Martin MacLean provided the finishing touches to another pin-point cross from Greig.

The tie was in the balance until six minutes from the end when Greig was unlucky to see his shot hit the post but MacKay was on hand to prod home the rebound.

Brora – Ridgers, J Ross, Tokely, Houston, Golabek, MacLean, Hart, Sutherland (Gillespie), S MacKay, Greig, Baxter. Subs – Bruce, Lamb, Hind, Allan.

GOLSPIE Sutherland are preparing for the first of two back-to-back cup finals tomorrow (Saturday).

The play Orkney in Saturday’s Football Times Cup Final at Sir George’s Park, Thurso with a 2.30pm kick-off. The following week, they are away to Alness in the Jock MacKay Memorial Cup final.