Relentless rainfall brought about a halt to the opening league fixtures this past Saturday. The much anticipated Caithness derby was stopped in its tracks following an early morning call-off due to a waterlogged pitch, and surface water at Migdale prevented Bonar Bridge from making their long awaited return at home to Orkney.

The only fixture to survive the weather was the Jock Mackay first round meeting at Grant Park in Tain where St. Duthus played host to Bunillidh Thistle. The Tain side took the lead after 23 minutes when Ross Tokely's cross was headed past Cameron Yuill by Cammy Mackintosh. Mackintosh scored again a quarter of an hour later, heading home a Craig Munro corner. A good first half was rounded off by Jake Lockett who lifted the ball over Yuill to find the far corner after getting on the end of a Jon Campbell through pass.

Substitute Sean Scott fired back for Bunillidh with an authoritive strike on 48 minutes, but despite their best efforts they were unable to claw their way back into the game. Andreas Broomfield extended the St. Duthus lead on 77 minutes when he slotted underneath Yuill from the edge of the box.

Highlights below courtesy of St. Duthus FC and Highland Sports Media.

The outcome of Saturday's game sets up a second round meeting between St. Duthus and Halkirk United on September 14th, while Bunillidh Thistle will now play host to Thurso in league action on the same date.

Next weekend's games in the Macleod & MacCallum North Caledonian League:

Saturday 7th September 2019
Invergordon vs Bonar Bridge – KO 2.30pm
Inverness Athletic vs Bunillidh Thistle – KO 2.30pm
Orkney vs Halkirk United - KO 12.45pm
St.Duthus vs Thurso – KO 2.30pm