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Press and Journal
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Steven Mackay's pride as Brora Rangers bow out of play-offs
Brora Rangers boss Steven Mackay was proud of his players despite their pyramid play-off defeat to East Kilbride. The Breedon Highland League champions drew 3-3 with their Lowland League counterparts at Dudgeon Park, a result which means East Kilbride progress 4-7 on aggregate to face Bonnyrigg Rose in the play-off final. At one point in the second half the Cattachs – who won the treble of the Highland League, R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup and North of Scotland Cup this term – led 3-1 and it looked like they could overturn the 4-1 deficit from the first leg. But their hopes of promotion were snuffed out and manager Mackay said: 'I'm really proud of how the boys responded after last week. 'We underperformed last week and our pride was dented. We gave ourselves a huge mountain to climb, but we almost got to the summit. 'Their second goal hands all the momentum back to East Kilbride at such an important point in the game. 'That relaxed them and it ended up 3-3, which I don't think is a fair reflection, I felt we were good value to win this game. 'However, the reality is the damage was done last week. 'We've had a phenomenal season and I'm really proud of them because the effort they've put in this season has been incredible. 'At our first pre-season training session we had seven players and Shane Sutherland who hadn't kicked a ball in two years. 'To go from that to what we've achieved this season is huge credit to the players. 'We've come up short, the play-offs are tough, this is my third go at it and it doesn't get any easier, but we'll learn from it and it will stand us in good stead.' In the early stages East Kilbride's Cameron Elliott had a header and a follow-up shot from Regan Mimnaugh's corner blocked at close quarters by the Brora defence. But it was the Cattachs who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute to reduce their aggregate arrears. Tony Dingwall's driving run took him towards the edge of the box before he passed to Shane Sutherland, the striker did well to control and find the perfect return pass which set up Dingwall to score from eight yards. Eleven minutes later East Kilbride equalised when John Robertson was given too much time at the edge of the penalty area to let fly and his left-foot shot flashed into the roof of the net. However, within a minute Brora retook the lead to make it 3-5 on aggregate. Alex Cooper's inswinging corner from the right was whipped into the front post and was eventually clawed out of the goalmouth by goalkeeper Craig Truesdale. But referee Daniel Graves and assistant Michael Macdermid ruled the ball had crossed the line and gave the goal, despite visiting protests that the ball wasn't over the line and that Truesdale had been fouled. Despite still being two goals ahead on aggregate East Kilbride appeared nervy and Brora probed at the start of the second half for another goal. After Dingwall's 35-yard lob landed on the roof of the net the Cattachs did bag their third of the afternoon in the 56th minute to make it 4-5 on aggregate. Max Ewan did brilliantly on the right flank to wriggle out of a challenge, he then played a one-two with Tom Kelly before crossing for Sutherland to sweep into the net from 10 yards. Unfortunately the home side conceded again within two minutes as Nathan Flanagan crossed from the left and Elliott's flick on presented Joao Balde with a tap-in at the back post. The concession of the second goal halted Brora's momentum and in the 78th minute East Kilbride secured their spot in the play-off final. Wallace Duffy was adjudged to have tripped sub Scott Ferguson and after referee Graves pointed to the spot, Ferguson fired the penalty into the bottom left corner.
Press and Journal
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Brora Rangers' Shane Sutherland plots play-off comeback - plus Highland League news round-up
Shane Sutherland believes balance and patience will be key if Brora Rangers are to mount a pyramid play-off comeback. The Cattachs trail East Kilbride 4-1 heading into Saturday's second leg at Dudgeon Park, with the winner of the tie progressing to face either Bonnyrigg Rose or Forfar Athletic. Although Brora need to win by three goals just to force extra-time, striker Sutherland insists the Breedon Highland League champions don't need to go for broke from the outset. The 34-year-old said: 'From the outside people might think that it will have to be all-out attack from the first minute. 'But if you do that against a team like East Kilbride they could pick us off. 'In every game, regardless of who you're playing, both teams will get chances so we need to have balance and patience within our play. 'We want to be aggressive, on the front foot and take the game to them, but if we over-commit early on then it could become very hard for us. 'If we could score in the first 15 minutes that would be good, but we don't have to force things too much early on. 'Throughout this season we've shown we can score goals so I think balance is the key thing for us. 'We want to be aggressive in the right areas and at the right time, but we don't want to get picked off. 'It's going to be difficult, we need to raise our levels from last Saturday and hope their levels drop a bit as well. 'There have been a lot of games this season in which we've scored three or more goals. 'Last weekend was an off day and hopefully we can show we're much better than that.' Up to this point it's been an unforgettable season for Brora as they won the first treble in their history. Although the odds are stacked against them, Sutherland is hopeful the Cattachs can add another chapter to a campaign to remember by completing a remarkable comeback. The former Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Elgin City and Peterhead player added: 'If we show what we're capable of and get the balance right in terms of being aggressive but also managing their threats then we've got a chance. 'If we can keep a clean sheet, I know we're capable of scoring three goals, whether that happens or not we'll wait and see. 'East Kilbride might be able to stop what we want to try to do, but we'll give it our best shot anyway. 'We've had an unbelievable season, making history winning a treble for Brora for the first time. 'Even if we are to lose this tie, we don't want to go out with a whimper. We want to go out with a good performance, we hope our season doesn't end here and we'll do everything we can to try to get through. 'But if we do come up short we'll at least try to do what we've done all season which is getting on the front foot and playing attacking football.' Elsewhere, Fraserburgh have secured midfielders Aidan Sopel and Logan Watt on contract extensions. Sopel, 25, joined the Broch from Elgin City in 2023 and has signed a deal until the summer of 2027. Watt, 22, came through the youth ranks at Bellslea and has agreed a contract until the summer of 2029. Meanwhile, two Inverurie Locos players have also signed new contracts. Attackers Ryan Park and Nathan Meres have both put pen to paper on deals until the summer of 2027. Park, 21, joined the Railwaymen last summer from Deveronvale and also had a loan stint at Keith this term, while 24-year-old Meres first featured for Locos in November 2020. The former Cove Rangers and Huntly player missed the latter part of the 2024-25 season due to a spell working abroad. Earlier this week Clachnacuddin midfielder Fergus Adams also signed a contract extension. The 20-year-old former Ross County youngster first joined the Lilywhites in 2023. Lossiemouth's Ryan Stuart is another player who has extended his contract. The 29-year-old has spent the last seven years with the Coasters and has agreed a deal to remain at Grant Park next term. Elsewhere, two players could be leaving Huntly, with the Black and Golds making Joe Gauld and Leon Etko available for transfer. Defender Gauld is in his second spell at Christie Park, he first joined in November 2020 before returning in January 2023. Midfielder Etko signed for Huntly in January 2024 and has had loan stints with junior outfits Colony Park and Maud. However, other clubs have been notified that the pair are available for a move.
