Brora's travelling army sees Scottish league hopes cruelly dashed
BRORA Rangers dreams of playing in the Scottish league next season were cruelly ended after circumstances conspired against them at Links Park last Saturday.
The Highland League champions were again without key players. Scott Houston and Craig McKeown were unavailable and the suspended Gavin Morrison was also missing.
Stuart Kettlewell and Colin Stuart were both recalled, while Andrew Greig had recovered from an illness which kept him out the previous week.
The kick off was delayed by 15 minutes to let the big crowd in, including around 500 Brora fans.
It was Montrose who created the first real chance when former Ross County favourite Gary Wood fired an angled drive wide of the far post.
Brora had strong claims for a penalty turned down in the 15th minute when Harry Richardson appeared to be impeded inside the goal area by Graham Webster but referee John McKendrick saw nothing amiss.
Brora were denied another possible spot kick just after the half hour mark when Steven MacKay looked to have been nudged inside the box by Paul Watson. But instead of pointing to the spot the whistler flashed a yellow card at the Brora skipper for simulation. The decision would come back to haunt Brora later in the game.
The home side took the lead in the 39th minute when Scott Johnston finished high into the net after Joe Malin had done really well to keep out an effort from Ross Campbell.
However, Brora were back in the tie a couple of minutes into the second half to put them 2-1 ahead on aggregate, when Colin Maclean got on the end of a Gillespie free kick to head past Stuart Mackenzie in the home goal.
But disaster struck for Brora two minutes later when MacKay was sent off after he picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Webster.
Montrose smelt blood and although Malin excelled in keeping out a Wood effort but he was beaten in the 79th minute when a Marvin Andrews header flashed past him following a corner.
Wood put the final nail in Brora’s coffin in the 81st minute with a blistering 25 yard drive which flew into the net.
Brora’s bid for senior league status was over for at least another year.
Brora boss, Davie Kirkwood said after the match. "Steven’s sending-off changed the
game.
"We had just scored to go 2-1 up on aggregate and we had a real foothold."
He added: "The experience we have gained by reaching the pyramid play-offs has been tremendous.
"We will certainly be strengthening the squad over the close season."
Brora – Malin, Kettlewell, MacDonald, C Maclean (Michael MacLean 69), Munro, Richardson, Martin Maclean, Gillespie, Sutherland, S MacKay, Greig. Subs not used - Hinds, Porritt, Allan, Martin.
