With the clocks now turned back, I had hoped that would be the end of midweek matches until March at least.
I have to be honest and say that I chose the fireside rather than attend Locos’ Shield tie with Turriff last Wednesday evening and, of course, I missed a thoroughly-merited 3-1 win.
Now we’re being sent to the Broch on a mid-November evening and The Fort must be over the moon with the re-scheduling of their game at Harlaw the following Wednesday.
This is all being driven by the SFA’s dictate that the Highland League Championship is concluded by mid-April to accommodate their “pyramid system” – and to blazes with the supporters. We’ll all be twiddling our thumbs in next May’s fine weather. There must be a better way to address “the East Stirlingshire question”!
Having got my annual rant off my chest, I turn to last Saturday’s home match with Champions Brora. This match was originally scheduled for Saturday, October 24 and was then re-arranged for Wednesday, November 4 due to both clubs’ involvement in the Scottish Cup.
Then it was hastily brought forward at six days’ notice to Saturday, October 31. While I am sure that was appreciated by club officials (especially at Brora), it took no account of supporters who, like myself, had made other arrangements for Saturday. Sorry, I’m ranting again!
Fortunately, I managed to get to the game and it was a fine advertisement for the Highland League. Brora’s crown has slipped somewhat this season, but they still look a strong and skilful outfit.
Surprisingly they spurned several good chances, but so did Locos, and Brora needed goalkeeper Joe Malin to be alert on several occasions. Just when a draw looked to be on the cards and a fair result, that man Zander Sutherland popped up (not for the first time) to score minutes from the end, from one of several threatening left-wing crosses from Andrew Greig.
The Brora players’ goal celebrations and the faces of the Locos’ players at the final whistle summed it all up – Brora mightily relieved and Locos very disappointed. But Locos are in the semi-final of the Aberdeenshire Shield and have a cracking third round Scottish Cup tie at home to SPFL League Two leaders Annan Athletic to look forward to.
On Saturday’s performance Locos have every chance of progressing to the potentially lucrative fourth round. But, if it is a draw, please don’t send us to Annan for the replay on a Wednesday evening in December!