Brora break Cove’s run

Paul Brindle helped smash Cove Rangers’ incredible unbeaten run – and then challenged the Aberdeen club to prove they could handle it.

The Brora Rangers supersub sprang from the bench to claim the second goal in Saturday’s big north showdown, billed as the game of the season. It could have been the day that Cove signalled a power shift in the Highland game. They had won 17 and drawn one of their first 18 league matches and, in all, were unbeaten in 27 league games stretching back to midfebruary’s loss to Formartine.

It proved a huge statement, then, from champions Brora after player-manager Richard Brittain struck an early opener.

Brindle then rewarded the hosts for overall dominance with the crucial second six minutes from time. Cove now sit six points adrift of Brora, but with three games in hand. Brindle, signed from Clach in the summer, feels his club have struck a big psychological blow.

The 23-year-old striker said: “We will have to see how that affects them. When you have an unbeaten record and it gets taken away from you it can be hard.

“When you are top of the table, every game is effectively a cup final, so you have to keep winning and proving you have the stomach for it.”

Elsewhere, Formartine thrashed Lossiemouth 5-1 at home to stay third, two points behind Cove, as hosts Wick Academy shared six goals with Turriff United in a Caithness thriller. Inverurie Locos beat Huntly 3-1, though Nairn County struggled to see off minnows Rothes, only winning 2-1.

Keith were handsome 3-0 winners away to Fraserburgh, Deveronvale thrashed Fort William 4-1 while Buckie Thistle hammered hosts Clach 4-0.