Reaction and report as Brora Rangers left with mountain to climb in pyramid play-off
The Cattachs were beaten 4-1 at K Park by the Lowland League champions, with the concession of two goals in the final 10 minutes proving costly, particularly as the home side played the final quarter with 10 men.
If the Breedon Highland League champions are to progress to the play-off final against either Bonnyrigg Rose or Forfar Athletic they'll need to mount a miraculous comeback at Dudgeon Park next Saturday.
Manager Mackay said: 'We didn't play well in the first half, but at one goal behind we were very much in the tie, it's going to take a colossal effort now.
'We've got to play with more freedom than we did here, whether it was nerves or we were leggy I don't know.
'But we were so off colour in the first half and it looked like there was a gulf between the teams, when in reality there isn't and we saw that for spells in the second half.
'We didn't do ourselves justice and we need to do ourselves justice next week.'
Goals from Nathan Flanagan and Sean Fagan had East Kilbride 2-0 up at half-time, however, Max Ewan's strike gave Brora hope before late goals from Jack Leitch and Regan Mimnaugh put the Cattachs firmly on the back foot.
Mackay added: 'East Kilbride were sharp and came out of the blocks very quickly. We changed the shape at half-time at 2-0 down and matched them up 4-3-3 and went more aggressive.
'We looked better, got the goal back and looked dangerous.
'They went down to 10 men and the tie was wide open and there's the opportunity to get a second goal.
'But East Kilbride were dangerous on the break all game and we made some fundamental errors when we had safe possession and we gifted them two goals to give ourselves a mountain to climb.
'Gary Pullen tried to get on the ball and he made a couple of errors which can happen in football, but they were clinical and punished us.
'To me it wasn't a 4-1 game, but we've got a tough task ahead of us.'
Brora did a good job of frustrating East Kilbride in the early stages with the only effort of note being Mimnaugh's low drive from the edge of the penalty area which Cammy Mackay gathered.
But in the 21st minute East Kilbride broke the deadlock. The Cattachs gave up possession cheaply at the edge of their own box, Mimnaugh stepped in and played a one-two with Leitch before teeing up Flanagan to finish from eight yards.
Brora chances were at a premium in the first period. A Tony Dingwall delivery from the right just evaded James Wallace, which allowed Fagan to clear, while Craig MacKenzie's corner broke for Colin Williamson, whose flick drifted just wide.
But the Sutherland side fell further behind four minutes shy of half-time.
A Robertson cross from the right wasn't cleared by Brora and with the ball bouncing around Fagan pounced to fire a first time shot into the bottom right corner from 14 yards.
At the end of the first period Flanagan crossed from the left, but Joao Balde failed to hit the target.
Referee Alastair Grieve wasn't helping Brora's cause either with Jordan McGregor, Lewis Spence and Robertson all avoiding cautions for poor first half challenges.
Brora needed the next goal and they started the second period with an increased purpose.
Wallace went close with a fizzing 20-yard shot and then they got the goal they craved in the 63rd minute. A spell of pressure ended with Shane Sutherland's cross from the right falling for Ewan to sweep a low left-foot shot into the net from 12 yards.
Four minutes later Brora's cause was boosted further by East Kilbride being reduced to 10 men.
McGregor had been booked in the 55th minute for pulling back Shane Sutherland and he received a second yellow and then a red card for clattering MacKenzie as he tried to win a header.
With the numerical advantage Brora tried to push for an equaliser, but their play in the final third was disjointed and they didn't work goalkeeper Chris Truesdale.
Eight minutes from time the visitors were hit with a sucker-punch as East Kilbride netted their third.
A slip from sub Gary Pullen allowed the hosts to counter-attack, Robertson's low cross from the right found Cameron Elliott, who laid off for Leitch to fire into the net from 12 yards.
Brora almost pulled a goal back in the closing stages when Ewan weaved in from the right and saw his net-bound attempt from 15 yards deflected wide.
But things got even worse for Brora when East Kilbride made it 4-1 with the last kick of the ball. Pullen was caught in possession and fouled Elliott 20 yards from goal before Mimnaugh superbly curled the resultant free-kick into the bottom right corner.
East Kilbride manager Mick Kennedy said: 'In the first half I felt we deserved our 2-0 lead, but we started really sluggishly in the second half and Brora came into the game.
'When we went down to 10 men you start to get a bit concerned, but I thought we were outstanding.
'We looked dangerous and created numerous opportunities on the break.
'I'm delighted, we wanted to go up to Brora with some kind of lead so to have a three-goal lead is a fantastic performance from the boys.'
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On Wednesday in the Breedon Highland League, Huntly visit Nairn County, but are missing Michael Clark, Callum Murray, Zander Jack and Alex Matczak. The Wee County were without Dylan Maclean, Callum Maclean, Fraser Dingwall, Brodie Watson, Andrew Greig, Paul Brindle, Kenny McKenzie, Kenny MacInnes and Charlie McKenzie at the weekend and are likely to be short of bodies once more. New Lossiemouth chairman Ian Campbell hopes to help the club progress on and off the pitch after succeeding Alan McIntosh in the role. Campbell has served the Coasters as a youth coach, first-team coach, assistant manager and interim manager. But during the last couple of years, he has become increasingly involved with the committee at Grant Park and was officially appointed chairman at Lossie's AGM on Friday. The 56-year-old electrician said: 'In recent times, I was doing both things – being on the coaching staff and also helping with the running of the club. 'However, I had to do one or the other and I felt my skills were better suited to helping the club in terms of upgrading things and trying to move the club forward. 'Hopefully we can become more competitive on the pitch and make Grant Park a better place for people to come and visit. 'We're a community club and we want people to enjoy coming to Grant Park. 'For the home games we've had so far this season, the crowds have been decent, so hopefully that continues to be the case. 'We get great backing from our supporters – even when we're getting beat there's never anything negative shouted. It's always encouraging and they always get behind the boys. 'We also want to help the community. I'm an electrician and a few of us are going to sort the Lossiemouth Christmas lights. 'It's important that we try to give back where we can as well.' Lossie are in the midst of a series of upgrades at Grant Park. All the seats in the stand have been replaced, there's a new watering system and a new electric mower to maintain the pitch, as well as a new turnstile area. Further plans include the installation of solar panels on the enclosure roof to meet the club's electricity needs, replacing the current floodlights with new LED bulbs, refurbishing the away dressing room and creating a covered viewing area for disabled spectators. Campbell was also keen to pay tribute to his predecessor as chairman, McIntosh, who has been with Lossie for 41 years. He added: 'Alan has been a great stalwart of the club for so many years and has done a tremendous amount of work. 'I'd never want to see him leave the club, so he's carrying on as vice-chairman. 'Former chairman Royce Clark is also back involved and a few other local businessmen are getting involved, so hopefully we can move the club forward.' McIntosh, a former Breedon Highland League president and North of Scotland FA president, has spent seven years as Lossiemouth chairman. Reflecting on his tenure, the 63-year-old said: 'Due to my health, I can't give the club what I used to and when that's the case you need to hand it over to younger guys. 'Lossiemouth FC has been going for 80 years and I've been involved for 41. 'I've got every confidence in the guys that are at the club and, led by Ian, hopefully things keep improving. 'Financially, the club is on an even keel, and since Ian stopped coaching and started helping the committee, he's made a big difference. 'He's the man to take the club forward and the supporters are pleased with what we're trying to do.' Wick Academy and Clachnacuddin have both strengthened their squads ahead of their fixtures in the Breedon Highland League on Wednesday. The Scorries – who face Brora Rangers at Harmsworth Park – have signed midfielder Steven Sutherland on a two-year deal, while defenders Owen Harrold and Owen Rendall have penned two-year contract extensions. Meanwhile, the Lilywhites, who host Lossiemouth at Grant Street Park, have recruited midfielder Copeland Thain on loan from Ross County until January. Sutherland, 25, has previously played for Golspie Sutherland and has featured already this season for Wick as a trialist. Academy boss Gary Manson said: 'Steven offers something different to what we've got. 'He's a central midfielder in a different mould to what we currently have. 'He's a big, strong guy who gets around the park, wins his headers and his tackles. 'Steven played one pre-season game and played in a couple of games as a trialist and we decided to give him a contract. 'Steven's really keen to play for the club. He's a Wick boy, he fits the bill for us and it's a move that makes sense for all parties. 'When you're trying to bring players to Wick, half the battle is getting guys who are willing to commit to playing for the club. 'Character and commitment levels are just as important as talent when it comes to players we bring in – and Steven ticks every box.' Clach manager Conor Gethins has been eager to increase his midfield options and is pleased to be working with 17-year-old Thain. He added: 'Copeland's young, athletic and very comfortable on the ball. 'We've been looking to strengthen in midfield because Jack MacKay is out for the season and Jack Davison has got an ankle injury which may keep him out for a wee while. 'Ali Gillies has had a thigh niggle and Rorie Macleod missed pre-season because of an ankle injury. 'Going forward, we're pretty decent, and defensively, we're pretty decent, but in midfield we've lacked something at times. 'I've watched Copeland a few times and he's impressed me, so it's good to be able to bring Copeland in.' Brora travel to Wick without Max Ewan, but Colin Williamson and Mark Nicolson return, while Lossie make the trip to Inverness minus Lee Scott. Elsewhere, Fraser Robertson is Buckie Thistle's only absentee for the clash with Strathspey Thistle at Victoria Park. Ali Morrison is out for Strathspey. Deveronvale are missing Demilade Yunus and Austin Sparkes, while Grant Moroney and Max Stewart are doubts, for Keith's visit to Princess Royal Park. Ryan Spink, Scott Barron and James Brownie are unavailable for the Maroons. Joe Barbour, Bryan Hay, Kieran Simpson, Jamie Beagrie, Ross Aitken and Lewis Davidson are out of Fraserburgh's Bellslea encounter with Rothes. Inverurie Locos face Forres Mechanics at Harlaw Park. Josh Bolton, Nathan Meres, Jay Halliday, Zack Ellis, Greg Mitchell, Cole Anderson and Lloyd Robertson are out for the Railwaymen, while the Can-Cans are minus Kyle MacLeod, Charlie Macdonald and Kaiden Connolly. Turriff United are without Dylan Stuart, Ewan Clark, Keir Smith and Kieran Yeats for Formartine United's visit to the Haughs. The Pitmedden outfit are missing Scott Ross, Rhys Thomas, Luke Emmett, Michael Dangana, Connor Scully and Marc Lawrence.
