Football

Harmsworth Park will host Saturday night football this weekend as Wick Thistle take on Thurso Pentland in a Highland Amateur Cup preliminary tie.

Gary Manson accepts that Wick Academy have “hardly laid a glove” on Banks O’ Dee so far – but the Scorries will be aiming to change that on Saturday.

Lybster turned on the style in a 6-3 victory over Wick Thistle at Cow Park on Wednesday night, picking up their first points since being promoted.

Halkirk United manager Ewan McElroy has said his players “can be really proud of themselves” after finishing third in the North Caledonian League.

Liam Bremner has been “flying” for Wick Groats in the opening weeks of the county league season – after 20 months on the sidelines with a broken leg.

Caithness will be looking to avenge last weekend’s cup loss to Orkney when the teams meet again on Sunday, this time with league points at stake.

Wick Academy will be looking to improve their underwhelming away record when they take on Forres Mechanics at Mosset Park on Wednesday night.

Even the best players on the planet would have struggled to put on a show in such windy weather, Gary Manson said – but he was happy with the result.

Competition starts next week.

Halkirk, back in the CAFA league for the first time since before the pandemic, got their second division campaign off to a perfect start.

Head coach Tom McKenna reckons Caithness Ladies’ commitment and growing belief can help them challenge for silverware this season.

Wick Academy looked to be on course to claim a well-earned point against Formartine United in midweek only concede twice in the closing 10 minutes.

Michael Gray believes “every team seems to be getting stronger” as the new Caithness Amateur Football Association season gets under way.

Wick Academy face a demanding schedule of three away matches on successive Wednesday nights in the concluding weeks of the Highland League season.

Ewan McElroy said his Halkirk United players have been “brilliant all season” after their last chance of silverware was blown away by Invergordon.

Manager Gary Manson insists Wick Academy have the pace and power to cause problems for Highland League Cup winners Brora Rangers in Saturday’s derby.

Manager Ewan McElroy accepts that Halkirk United will be underdogs in their North Caledonian Cup semi-final against new league champions Invergordon.

Thurso will be aiming to round off their underwhelming North Caledonian League campaign on a positive note when they take on Loch Ness.

The Caithness amateur football scene will have a 15th club this summer as Halkirk return to the fold for the first time since before Covid.

Gary Manson was left to reflect on the loss of two "cheap" goals as Wick’s six-game unbeaten home run in the Highland League was brought to an end.