Eilidh the Caithness heroine after injury-time equaliser
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Eilidh McFarlane’s last-gasp free kick earned Caithness Ladies a point in a six-goal thriller against Buckie.
A keenly fought encounter at the Dammies looked to be heading the way of the visitors only for McFarlane to give the home fans something to cheer about late on with her dramatic strike.
It was literally the last kick of the ball after she had curled a beauty into the top left-hand corner to make it 3-3.
Caithness are well placed in the Highlands and Islands League but still a couple of wins away from leaders Lewis and Harris, who have been setting the pace since the season began. Clachnacuddin and Caledonian Thistle are also in contention near the top of the table.
The late drama seemed to be the perfect bookend for Caithness as they had taken the lead in the first minute.
A through ball from Gaby Macgregor released skipper Cairly Erridge who coolly slotted the ball into the net.
However, their joy was short-lived as four minutes later Buckie levelled via a Gemma Geddes strike.
Caithness were unlucky not to restore their lead as Donna Majilton could only look on in disbelief as she saw her shot come crashing back off the bar.
They did have the ball in the net soon after, only for the referee to adjudge that Sarah Henderson had handled it.
To rub salt into that wound, Buckie took the lead just before half-time. A free kick was not dealt with by the home defence, leaving Rebecca McMillan to smack in the rebound.
In the second half, Caithness levelled when Macgregor outpaced the Buckie defence to fire home. She thought she had another goal only for the referee’s assistant to rule she had been offside.
They received some luck of their own when Buckie’s Laura Duncan was hauled down inside the box. The referee did not give the expected penalty and waved play on.
Caithness’s sigh of relief was short-lived, though, as with five minutes left McMillan bagged her second of the afternoon to give Buckie a 3-2 lead.
It looked as if the points were heading south before McFarlane stepped up and performed her late heroics.
