Lossiemouth successfully negotiated a trip into the unknown this weekend, overcoming a stuffy Golspie Sutherland by two goals to nil. Strikes from David Hendry and Craig Morrison ensured the club progressed into the second round of the Qualifying Cup for the first time in a number of seasons, sending everyone home dreaming of a trip to Hampden.

The sides spent the opening stages of the game getting a feel for the ball. Played in continuous drizzle, both sides took a cautious approach to the game, evidently fearful of going behind early on. The closest chance fell to Lossie striker Craig Morrison, who found the ball at his feet after Hendry headed down a Youngson free kick, but his attempted shot was cleared.

The visitors took the lead in the quarter hour mark through David HENDRY. Martin McMullan hit a low drive from 20+ yards straight at the keeper, but the greasy ball slipped from his grasp and was tapped in from close range in the middle of the six yard box.

Golspies first chance came from a corner, but an inswinger from David Gray was missed by all and passed safely for a goal kick. The home side were having plenty of possession, but could not get close enough to have a strike on goal. For a side in the lead, Lossie looked very uncomfortable, with passes going astray and a lot of nervous looking touches at times. 

As the weather took a turn for the worse in the middle of the half, chances came more often. Ellis tested Bokas in goal with another long range effort which was again spilled, but Morrison wanted one touch too many and his attempts to grab a second for Lossie were thwarted. At the other end, Cooper turned his man in the box and managed to let fly with a shot, but it sailed just wide. A few minutes later, Golspie should have scored when a weak header out of defense by Youngson landed at the feet of Kennedy and, with Dunn off his line, he lifted it over the stricken keepers head. The Lossie side looked on gratefully as the ball landed on the roof of the net.  

Golspie were then presented with a gilt-edged opportunity to level the score right before half time, when a long ball over the middle of the park landed at the feet of a just-onside Morrison with only Dunn to beat. As the forward strode quickly toward goal, the big keeper made himself look even bigger than usual, and pulled off a brilliant one handed save to his left to deny Golspie what would have been a deserved equaliser, ensuring Lossie took to the safety of the dressing rooms with their lead intact.

Half time – Golspie Sutherland 0 Lossiemouth 1

The second half kick off in drier conditions, and Golspie continued where they left off in the first half; plenty of possession, but unable to create much in the way of chances to score. As the half progressed, Lossie took control and began to dominate proceedings. Morrison put together a 30 yard run down the left before putting a low pass across the face of goal. The slippery pitch ensured the ball moved faster than those chasing it, and it was turned into the side netting by Ellis at the far post.

Golspie found time to cause Dunn more concern, and a looping header from Cooper sailed over the keepers head and he could only watch as it bounced just wide of the post to safety.

Lossie created their best chance of the half after twenty minutes, when an Ellis corner was headed just over by Smith, who had come steaming into the box to meet the ball. Minutes later, McMullan found space and fired a shot goal bound. The ball flew past Bokas in goal, but smacked off the base of the post, probably denting it in the process, and rolled to safety. Lossie were not shy of having a go at this point, and Ellis took his turn to strike, but saw his chance of a goal hampered by the crossbar.

Morrison was next to have a go, and came as close as possible to the crucial second goal. Another in swinging corner from Ellis met Mo on the head, but it took a goal-line clearance to prevent the visitors from doubling their lead.

Another win, another clean sheet, and no major dramas. It wasn't pretty at times, but it'll do for now. Lossie head into the tough midweek tie against Rothes on a fine run of form, but unfortunately so do Rothes, who dumped Huntly out of the Qualifying Cup on their own patch. With Fort William the next visitors to Grant Park this coming weekend, chances are this run of success might continue. You could get used to this.