Head gash doesn't stop Huntly Football Club warrior Ross Still from inspiring Highland League comeback against Fraserburgh at Christie Park
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In their hour of need, Huntly needed a warrior against Fraserburgh on Saturday and found one in the shape of wounded hero Ross Still.
The stand-in centre back sustained a gash above his eye while his team trailed Broch in a tough Highland League battle, but refused to give up the battle.
Sporting a bandage to stem the flow of blood, the 28-year-old played on and proceeded to meet a cross ball with the very part of his head that inflicted the damage to score an equaliser and inspire a sensational Huntly comeback.
From behind at the break, the Black and Golds stormed to a 4-1 victory over a Fraserburgh team that beat them three times last season and scored 13 goals in the process.
The result propelled Huntly into second spot, three points behind new leaders Formartine United with two game in hand.
Goal hero Still isn't getting carried away by his team's superb start to the season but says the transformation in the fortunes of the Christie Park outfit has been remarkable.
"We felt we finished strongly last season and this one so far has been a great start," he said. "We just want to take it game by game and see how far we can go.
"Everyone is super delighted right now and working really hard. It’s a great bunch of boys who are working together so well, so long may it continue."
He said manager Allan Hale and his assistant Stefan Laird demand a great deal out of the squad and the product of that approach is being seen on the park.
"They put a high intensity into training, every session is high intensity and it's the same in games. It’s very intense and makes you want to play and everyone is enjoying it."
Still returned to Huntly for a second spell after a stint at neighbouring Inverurie Locos and can see big improvements on his return to Christie Park.
"The standard is definitely higher with the players they have brought in. They have also helped to improve some players as well."
He describe how injury would not sway him off course in his pursuit of victory on Saturday.
"I won the header but came down and headed the back of one of their player’s heads. It cut open just above my eye and I went off and got a little head bandage and carried on.
"I felt fine, there was no concussion, they checked it and I felt fine so I was all good to go.
"A few people said I looked like Terry Butcher. There was a bit of blood. I did have to go to A&E at night and got three or four stitches, but it was fine.
"I didn’t want to come off and leave the boys short because we didn’t have many defensive subs on the bench. I never want to come off anyway, I want to keep playing as much as I can.
"It's a really strong squad and if you miss a game, you probably won’t be back in the team the week after. Everyone is playing so well and it's really hard to get in the starting eleven.
"That’s a good thing.We are well covered for every position all over the pitch. You don’t want to miss a game and it keeps you on your toes when you are in the starting eleven."
Still's normal position is in centre midfield but he relishes the opportunity to drop into centre defence when required.
"I have played centre back a couple of times now and I like it.
"It suits the way I play with the aggression and winning headers. I am enjoying it, I like playing centre mid of course but I don't mind switching, it makes sure you can stay in the team if you can play in a variety of positions."
Huntly have now won six of their last seven wins in all competitions, triggering their rise up the table as well as earning a Scottish Cup home tie against Forfar Athletic at the end of the month.
Annoyingly for Still and his team-mates, they don't have a game next weekend because of the Highland League's fixture scheduling.
"I’s frustrating that we don’t have a game for two weeks now. When you are playing well you want to keep playing and keep the good form going.
"We have to deal with that, we will train through this and get right back to it for the next game. We will focus on the next game at Forres."
