We gave ourselves too much to do, says Trueman as Acks are edged out
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Thurso Acks suffered Highland Amateur Cup heartbreak on Saturday as they battled back from a two-goal deficit against Golspie Stafford only to lose 3-2.
The momentum looked to be with Acks after Craig Sutherland's second-half double levelled the scores at the Dammies. But the Sutherland side struck again with 10 minutes left to book a second-round meeting with Fortrose and Rosemarkie Union.
Stafford's goals came from Sam Mackay, Shaun Urquhart and Joseph McNamara.
Acks player/co-manager Craig Trueman said: "It was a tough one for us to take after we worked so hard to get back into the game.
"We had the worst possible start when we conceded in the first minute. That set us off on the back foot, and for the next 20 minutes we struggled and ended up conceding a second.
"But we came into the game towards the end of the first half and started creating chances. We were unfortunate not to score in the first half – their keeper pulled off a few great saves.
"We spoke at half-time and knew that if we started well in the second half, and got the first goal, we would be back in the game – and that's exactly what we did.
"After we got the first we started dominating and managed to equalise. Craig Sutherland up front put their defence under constant pressure in the second half.
"After we got it back to 2-2, I thought we were going to go on and win the game but we just couldn't seem to get the break of the ball in the final third. We ended up conceding a soft goal from a corner with 10 minutes to go and that killed the game for us."
Trueman added: "The boys put in some shift in the second half to get us back in the game, but unfortunately the way we started the match just gave us too much to do in the second half."
Stafford had knocked out Castletown at the preliminary round stage.
Highland Amateur Cup first-round results (ties involving Caithness clubs): Acks 2, Golspie Stafford 3; Dornoch City 1, Wick Groats 6; Helmsdale United 0, High Ormlie Hotspur 1; Lochbroom 4, John O'Groats 2; Lochinver 9, Thurso Pentland 0; Lybster 0, Wick Thistle 1; Staxigoe United 8, Swifts 0; Top Joe's 0, Pentland United 7; Watten 4, Keiss 0.
