Brora Rangers maintain Highland League after vital experience sees off Clachnacuddin with former Inverness Caley Thistle man Shane Sutherland scoring winner
Brora Rangers manager Steven Mackay believes his side’s experience and quality told in the end against a battling Clachnacuddin side.
The Cattachs came back from a goal down to win 2-1 at Grant Street Park to maintain their slender advantage at the top of the Highland League table.
Troy Cooper had scored a thunderbolt to put the Lilywhites ahead, but Matthew Wright equalised before half time.
Shane Sutherland would then score a winning goal for Brora in the 65th minute, ensuring they matched Brechin City’s 2-1 win over Forres Mechanics.
Manager Steven Mackay said: “There’s so much history between the clubs. There are ex-Brora players playing for Clach and ex-Clach players playing for Brora, ex-staff as well.
“There were a whole concoction of back stories and it was always going to be a tense affair.
“I thought we were worthy of the win and controlled most of the game. To come here and win, you have to work extremely hard and show quality in moments, and I think we did that.
“I said to them at the start of the game – you’ve got to use the experience we have in there and remain calm.
“This was always going to be a game that could spill out of control in terms of all the back stories and emotion behind it, so it was important we were calm in a game that could have been very frantic.
“We did that. Shane showed his quality on the ball as did Tony Dingwall. You can tell they have played at a higher level, and I thought they were both excellent.
“That’s the experience we need – the right time to take a touch and the right time to move the ball on.”
The victory means Brora continue to lead the way in the Highland League with four matches remaining.
Mackay’s men still have to play Huntly home and away and Banks O’Dee at home, before ending the league season at Dudgeon Park against Rothes.
A league title, part of what could still be a treble for Brora this season, would be a remarkable achievement for the club given it is Mackay’s first season back in charge at the club, who finished sixth in last season’s standings.
That progress, regardless of what happens between now and the end of the campaign, is not lost on Mackay.
“I said to the boys, rewind back to where this club was 12 months ago,” he added.
“We were competing in Golspie (while Brora’s pitch was out of service), no disrespect to Golspie, for sixth in the league.
“As footballers, these are the moments we crave and for the last few Saturdays, every game is going to feel like a cup final because there is so much at stake.
“That’s what we want. We have to embrace it and not play with fear.
“Players sign for this club for that very reason – to be in a title race. Now we’re here, let’s embrace it and make the most of it.”