HIGHLAND LEAGUEAGUECUPFINALCUPFINAL GRANT STREET PARK, INVERNESS RICH REWARDS FOR HERO MALIN
Richard Brittain hailed keeper Joe Malin after his Highland League Cup shootout heroics handed the Brora Rangers boss his first trophy as manager.
The former Ross County goalie – in his first game back after five weeks out with a knee ligament injury – saved Michael Morrison’s penalty to clinch victory against luckless Nairn County.
Zander Sutherland converted the winning penalty to send the Brora fans into raptures.
Brittain said: “Both teams cancelled each other out but fortunately, we won it in the end.
“Malin saved the penalty and he’s one of our best performers this season, so I’m delighted for him.” conceded the title to Celtic, who top the Premier League by eight points, Shinnie still believes the door is slightly ajar with five games left.
He said: “It will be tough but all we can do is try to win as many games as we can.
“Whatever else happens is outwith our hands.
“We just need to try and win our own games.
“After the Hearts match the manager was frustrated and I think everybody was feeling the same.
“It was frustration that we
Nairn County ............. 0 Brora Rangers............ 0
James Nairn’s Alan Pollock shot early on from 20 yards was pushed round the post by Malin.
Sutherland’s low strike from 30 yards was saved then Adam Naismith blocked with his body to deny Steven Mackay’s volley.
Three minutes from half-time, Dale Gillespie’s superb shot from 25 yards was tipped over the bar by Cal lum Antel l as Brora continued to pile on pressure.
Pollock was causing problems for Brora full-back Ally Macdonald all game and he cut inside him in the 51st minute before firing just over the bar from 18 yards.
Nairn were the better side in the second periodiod and missed a great chancehance to grab the winnerner late on when subb Tony Wal lace played Pollock through on goal but, from a tight angle, he shot wide.
Malin then keptt Brora in it, p r o d u c i n g twotwo excellent saves too deny Andrew Skinnerr and Gregg Main from long rangeangeandtaketheandtakethe McInnes and Shinnie chat while (left) Jack is hurt match into extra-time. Brora had a great chance early in extra time, Brindle beating Antell in a race for the ball, but he took it too wide and could only fire his s ho t into the side nnetting.
Martin MaMaclean saw rere d w i t h a miminute left in extextra time for a reckreckless lunge on GlGlenn Main. NairNairn boss Les Fridge wwas upset at the outcomeoutcom and said: “We were the betterb team, but just didn’t take ouour chances.”
Rangers’ squad celebrates Zander Sutherland’s winning penalty (below) and party time