Buckie Ladies have lifted the Highlands and Islands League Cup for the third season in a row, after a close final against Sutherland at George V Park in Golspie.
Over 300 fans attended the final, and locals were overjoyed when Sutherland skipper Bethany Sutherland looped in a deft header to the far corner, which left Buckie keeper Sophia Golebiewski with no chance for the opener.
But the linesman’s flag was raised for offside and the goal did not stand, much to the delight of the travelling Buckie support. It was a physical first half, with Buckie skipper Rebecca McMillan doing well to snuff out Sutherland surges at left back and sending balls forward to Alena Gardner who was holding the ball up well. The midfield was a tight battle, Franci Hutchison popping up everywhere for Sutherland to disrupt Buckie’s rhythm while Rheo Laurenson for Buckie was showing great strength to hold off Bethany Sutherland’s further attacking surges.
And it would be Laurenson who would break the deadlock after around 35 minutes, shrugging off two challenges to place a great finish past Nadene MccCulloch in the Sutherland goal. Sutherland almost struck back minutes later, but Golebiewski dove brilliantly to left to palm the shot away.
Indeed, in the second half Buckie would have Golebiewski’s Player of the Match performance to thank, as Sutherland grew their possession but found chances limited by the keeper’s composure. Indeed, with Sutherland committing players forward, Buckie had chances to double their lead themselves late in the half. A final surge by Sutherland saw them shot just wide and have another saved well by Golebiewski, but the whistle would call time on their efforts and ensure the cup stayed in Buckie.
Both clubs will now go into the final round of the ScottishPower Highlands and Islands league locked in a three-way title contest with league newcomers Ross County, with only two points separating the three sides.
In the Barclays Scottish Women’s Championship, East Fife remain top despite a late equaliser from Glasgow Women holding the Methil side to a point. Glasgow saw claims of a penalty waved aside by the referee in the first half after Angyl Learmonth collided with East Fife keeper Hamill in the box, to leave a frenetic first half goalless. East Fife scored early in the second as Brodie Rigby Wilson tipped a high ball from Liz Corke round Khym Ramsey to allow her an easy tap in. Glasgow had Ramsey to thank, however, with a string of commanding saves to keep the home side out and set up the late equaliser from Kirstin Harper out on the rleft, who was offered an empty net after the keeper had committed.
A Brogan Anderson hat-trick helped Falkirk move within a point in second, with a 5-0 home victory over Forfar Farmington, while Inverness Caledonian Thistle were beaten 5-0 at Stirling University, Stenhousemuir and Morton played out a 2-2 draw and Renfrew beat Westdyke 4-3 in Aberdeenshire.
St Mirren stay top of the Barclays Scottish Women’s League One after coming from behind to beat Giffnock 2-1, while Queen of the South scored four goals in the second half to beat Inverurie Locos at Palmerston Park. Edinburgh Caledonia beat Airdrie 1-0, Armadale beat Dunipace 3-2 and Bonnyrigg Rose claimed a comfortable 5-0 victory at home to Dundee West.
