Ten men of Orkney FC lose ground at top of North Caledonian League

Orkney FC fell nine points behind Invergordon at the summit of the North Caledonian League after a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Tain St. Duthus.

The sides went in at the break 1-1 following an action packed first half, which included two goals, a missed penalty, and two red cards. It would be the ten men visitors who would walk away with the three points however, with a spectacular Ewan Ross volley from the edge of the box looping over the head of Cameron McConnachie five minutes from the end.

The result ends Orkney’s calendar year on a disappointing note, with leaders Invergordon compounding Orkney’s misery, securing an emphatic 4-1 victory away to Thurso. Orkney do however, have a game in hand.

Tain took the lead early on in the absorbing contest, with Scott Miller getting on the end of a deflected free-kick to fire the ball past McConnachie. Orkney had the opportunity to level the score from the penalty spot on 15 minutes, with Joe Wilson tripped in the box. Chris Simpson stepped up, but his effort, low to the ‘keeper’s right, was saved comfortably.

The home side did get themselves level shortly afterwards, with a Graeme Horne thunderbolt from 20 yards rippling the net.

Minutes later, Tain would be reduced to ten men for abusive language to referee Jimmy Leask, before substitute Kyle Drever also saw red for the same offence.

The second period was a scrappy affair, before Ross’s dramatic and beautiful volley ensured it was the visitors who were celebrating at full-time.