Stefan Sutherland memorial match milestone is 'really special'

Lybster hosted the annual Stefan Sutherland memorial match against a team representing Watten and Stefan’s family and friends.

Saturday's encounter at sunny Cow Park marked a 10-year milestone, with the first memorial game having taken place in 2013 shortly after Stefan's death as a way to commemorate him and bring his family and friends together for a day.

Stefan, who was 25, had played for both Lybster and Watten.

There was plenty of competitiveness on show and Lybster made the breakthrough late in the first half courtesy of Lewis Mackillop. Ross Steven added a second for Lybster just before the half-time whistle.

The Watten and family/friends team hit the woodwork twice after the break and eventually reduced the deficit when Andrew Sutherland ran in behind to notch a goal.

Bobby Gunn thought he had extended Lybster's lead only to be denied by an offside decision.

James Mackay got Lybster's third, rolling back the years to when he was a goalscorer for Hibernian.

Watten replied quickly when they were awarded a penalty. Stefan’s 10-year-old nephew Jay Sutherland showed he was good enough to mix it with the big boys by burying the spot-kick in the top left corner, making it 3-2.

Steven rounded off the scoring with his second of the day to give Lybster a 4-2 win.

Lybster manager Cameron Mackenzie thanked everyone for taking part and making the event possible. He then handed over the man-of-the-match trophy to Lybster's goalkeeper for the day, Gordon Murray, and the most entertaining player trophy to Ross Steven.

Stefan Sutherland’s father Sandy Sutherland was overjoyed.

He said: “As a family we couldn’t be happier to see the effort Stefan’s friends go through to keep this going. For this to reach 10 years is really special and it has become something that not only we look forward to but all the people who play as well.

"The efforts that both the teams go through, everyone who has played over the years and all those who come to watch have given the family tremendous support. They cannot be thanked enough and we’re so grateful.

"We hope that this match will continue for another 10 years now."

Stefan went missing in Lybster on September 6, 2013, and his body was found on the shoreline at nearby Occumster 11 days later.

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