INVERURIE Locos will play Fraserburgh at Bellslea on Saturday, September 13 in the Semi Finals of the SFA North Region Challenge Cup after Locos wore down the resistance of non-league Golspie Sutherland while the Broch toppled Keith after extra time at Kynoch Park.

Deveronvale host Cove Rangers in the other semi.

Dave Cormie, boss of last year's winning side Huntly never really felt his team was in danger of losing but acknowledged they had to work hard for their victory.

He said: "Score wise it went pretty much as I thought it would but obviously I'd have been happier if we'd scored more off the chances we created particularly in the first half. I was concerned at how long it took for the second goal to come.

"A few of Golspie's players have played a lot of Highland League football, you could see that in the likes of Michael Sanderson, Aaron Smith and obviously Gordon Connelly who is sheer class. But it was probably more comfortable than the scoreline suggests as I felt they didn't threaten us that much.

"Credit to Golspie because they made a real fight of it and the scoreline reflects that whereas the three goal margin win against Forres probably flattered us."

It took 20 minutes of play before the Locos created their first chance, and with the deadly finishing of Neil Gauld, the young striker opened the scoring. A low driven Neil McLean cross was effectively blocked by Michael Sanderson in the six yard box, however this just meant that the ball fell to Gauld who impressively rounded the stranded goal keeper and fired the ball into an open net.

Mark Smith looked to continue his fine run of form with another goal, however he turned his header from a McLean cross just over the bar from close distance. In 33 minutes Scott Buchan advanced up the pitch before driving a shot just over the cross bar from 30 yards.

In terms of goalmouth action the second half was as testing for the crowed as the first with Golspie keeper Mark MacRitchie rarely being tested.

Over the next period of play a number of Locos players blew chances in front of goal by heading the ball wide or over the goal, with Smith guilty of spurning several chances after Singer and Buchan crosses from the wings.

With the threat of a late equaliser and extra time looming large, super sub Gary Nicol once again provided his side with a crucial late goal after a long lobbed ball from Craig Ross evaded defender Alan MacBean with an awkward bounce before finding Nicol open in the box.

He had enough time to compose himself, the striker lobbed the keeper and ensure a relaxed final few minutes and sent Locos through.

Inverurie Locos: Reid, Park, Buchan, Wilson, Simpson, Smith, Singer, Stewart, Milne (Nicol 60), Gauld (Ross 70), McLean(Bisset 60). Subs not used: Murray, McWilliam.
Golspie Sutherland: MacRitchie, Dunnett, R. Thomson, MacBean, S. Thomson, A. Sutherland, Smith, Campbell, Sanderson (D. Sutherland 79), Connelly, S. Sutherland. Subs not used: Whyte, Mackay, MacLean.

To this Saturday and by far the match of the day in the Highland League is the third successive home game for Locos. League Champions Cove Rangers come calling a week after demolishing Shetland, the second time in a row they had netted six at home.

Boss Cormie knows the importance of the fixture, the first time the sides have met since Inverurie's success in the Fosters Highland League Cup Final in May.

"We now look forward to playing Cove, our pitch is brilliant at the moment, our greatest asset, it allows us to play the ball along the ground.

"We're in fine scoring form in recent weeks, naturally we will also come upon the likes of Jamie Watt so on the day the respective talents will be there to be judged."

Looking forward to playing his old team is Mark Smith, a player who has settled into the side quickly, scoring goals and picking up man of the match awards.

"Their wide players Barrie (Stephen) and Webby (Kevin Webster) I believe are playing well but we have Neil (McLean) and Ritchie (Singer) who they will be worrying about as well. There's also Jamie Watt who's always good for a goal probably in off his shin or ear or something."

And, Locos go into Saturday's big League clash boosted by the news their former Cove striker Kenny Coull has put pen to paper on a new one year deal.

The 33 year old was a title winner with the Aberdeen side at the start of the millennium and would dearly love to add another such medal to his collection but he has had to fight off a number of career-threatening injuries in recent years.

Boss Dave Cormie was delighted to announce the news: "It was common knowledge Kenny would not be re-signing unless he felt he was fully fit and in a position to be challenging to play in the side.

"Thankfully he has shaken off an ankle ligament problem. He worked hard in pre-season, has come through an Under 21 game without ill effects, likewise with the recent training sessions he's put in."

An added boost is that former Aberdeen FC schoolboy signing Stuart Craib has also been secured on a two year deal but will be eased slowly into the first team. The versatile defender left Inverurie Academy in the summer and Cormie feels he has a great future with the club.

"Stuart will be farmed out to a junior club which we feel will be right for his development. He will be a bit part player for the first team squad this season but I'd expect him to be pushing next season and be a regular within the two year period. I have very high hopes he'll be a big player for Locos."