Acks can be proud, says Innes after Highland Amateur Cup exit
Acks player/manager Kyle Innes said his team-mates should be “incredibly proud” of how far they have come after bowing out of the Highland Amateur Cup at the third-round stage.
The Caithness second division side took Inver to extra time on Saturday before running out of steam in extra time as the north-west Sutherland league outfit won 5-1.
Acks had beaten Lochinver 4-2 at home and Kirkwall Accies 4-0 away in the first two rounds.
“We went into the game with a depleted squad but, to be fair, the match was pretty even,” Innes said.
“We were under pressure at times but we defended well and you could see it was starting to frustrate them. We managed to get the first goal in the second half but Inver battled on and got a goal back.
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“Extra time was a tough run for us. Injuries started creeping as well as fatigue, ultimately leading to us conceding.
“At 2-1 down in extra time we decided to go for it and try and get back into the game, which left us exposed, and they took advantage to add a few late goals.
“Still, credit to the lads. With the squad stretched, a number of younger players stepped in and gave absolutely everything. Given the overall age of the team and how far we’ve come, they should all be incredibly proud.
“It’s a tough result to take, but there’s a lot to be positive about moving forward.”
Innes added: “We wish Inver all the best for the remainder of their season.”
Andrew Hardwick got the opener for Acks but the home side levelled and the score stood at 1-1 after 90 minutes. Jack Traynor scored a hat-trick for Inver, who will meet the winners of the delayed all-Shetland tie between Scalloway and Whalsay in the quarter-finals.
James Mackintosh was the hero for High Ormlie Hotspur as they edged out Staxigoe United 1-0 in the all-Caithness clash in Thurso.
Mackintosh got on the end of a free kick from Ryan Sutherland Snr to head the ball over the keeper early in the second half.
Aidan Reid was sent off with about 15 minutes to go but Hotspur, the 2022 winners, held on. Their opponents in the last eight will be Maryburgh, the Inverness and district Premier Division leaders.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Mackintosh said. “We’ve never played them before so it will be an interesting one.
“I recognise a lot of their boys from the North Caledonian League so I’m sure it’ll be a good battle.”
Highland Amateur Cup quarter-finals: Carloway v Dounby Athletic (August 2); High Ormlie Hotspur v Maryburgh (July 12); Inver v Scalloway or Whalsay (August 2); Pentland United v Avoch (July 12).
Semi-finals (August 16): Carloway or Dounby Athletic v Inver or Scalloway/Whalsay; High Ormlie Hotspur or Maryburgh v Pentland United or Avoch.
Results – Friday – Division Two: Top Joe’s 0, Thurso Pentland 3; Watten 0, Halkirk 2.
Saturday – Highland Amateur Cup, round three (ties involving Caithness clubs): High Ormlie Hotspur 1, Staxigoe United 0; Inver 5, Thurso Acks 1 (after extra time); Pentland United 5, Inverness Athletic 3 (after extra time); Wick Groats 1, Avoch 2.
Sunday – SWF Highlands and Islands League: Caithness 3, Sutherland 2.
Fixtures – Tuesday, June 24 – Division One: John O’Groats v Castletown; Keiss v Staxigoe United; Pentland United v Lybster; Wick Groats v High Ormlie Hotspur. Division Two: Top Joe’s v Acks (all 7.30pm).
Wednesday, June 25 – Division Two: Swifts v Thurso Pentland; Watten v Wick Thistle (both 7.30pm).
Friday, June 27 – Eain Mackintosh Cup semi-finals: Halkirk v Castletown; Pentland United v High Ormlie Hotspur (both 7.15pm). Division Two: Acks v Wick Thistle (7.30pm).
