‘Bittersweet’ occasion as Pentland United become last winners of Colin Macleod Memorial Cup
Pentland United’s Colin Macleod Memorial Cup triumph at the weekend was a “bittersweet” experience for the Dunnet club’s co-manager Michael Gray after it was announced that this would be the last year of the competition.
The Stabbies lifted the trophy for the third time after Sam Mackay’s stoppage-time header secured a 2-1 victory over Wick Groats in the final at Back Park, Castletown, on Saturday.
The tournament was inaugurated in 2011 following the death of Castletown stalwart Colin Macleod in a road accident the previous year. It has become established as the first knockout competition of the Caithness AFA season but the family has decided not to continue with it after this year.
“It’s a great occasion,” Gray said. “I’m probably one of the few that actually played against Colin that’s left in this area. It was a great tragedy for the family and for the village.
“It has come to an end now, so it’s quite a bittersweet note for us to be the last winners of this trophy.”
The Stabbies took the lead on 14 minutes with a penalty by James Murray after a foul on Sean Campbell by keeper Kieran Macleod.
Greg Shearer fired in a well-taken equaliser with 78 minutes gone, and as the clock ticked beyond the 90th minute extra time looked inevitable.
However, Mackay settled the issue deep in injury time when he rose to meet a Ross Allan free kick and glanced the ball beyond Macleod into the far corner.
“I can’t remember the last time we got one of those types of goals, a last-minute winner,” Gray said.
“I don’t think there was a huge amount in the game – both teams kind of nullified each other. Both had chances late on. We hit the bar, they hit the post, and you thought extra time was coming.
“But that was a good area for a left-footed delivery and Ross put it right on the money. Sam may not look the tallest, but he’s got a fantastic leap and he gets himself in the right areas at the right times.”
Gray added: “I’ve consistently said that we’re very well matched now at the top of the first division, the top three or four, and sometimes it comes down to a little bit of quality. That got us over the line, so we’re delighted.
“We got knocked out of a competition this week [the Eain Mackintosh Cup] and that was a big disappointment. We’ll use that as a little bit of a spur.
“We’ve got one more game now, which will be a really tough encounter with Castletown on Tuesday night, and then we have two weeks off.
“We’ll try to do a bit of R&R and get the guys into a better physical condition because I can see the toll on them now. It has been such a congested start to the season.
“It has just been game after game and it has been tough. It has tested them all.”
Luke Manson captained Pentland United in the absence of regular skipper Andrew Mackay, who is sidelined by injury.
After receiving the trophy, Manson said: “It was a brilliant occasion. There was a massive crowd here.
“It’s a shame the decision has been made that this will be the last year, but these things happen.
“There is never much between the teams, to be perfectly honest. A final is always a battle more than anything too.
“I thought the boys did really well and we had some really good performances all over the park. Sam is just an outstanding footballer and it’s a big addition for us to have him playing.
“We’ve had a few injuries – we’re missing our captain Andrew Mackay. He’s not played a game for us this season.
“But the boys are pulling together and they’ve worked their socks off. The boys will enjoy tonight and then we’re back at it on Tuesday.”
Results – Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-final: Swifts 0, Lybster 3.
CAFA Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur 3, Castletown 1; Wick Thistle 0, Staxigoe United 2.
Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-final: Halkirk 0, Watten 2.
Colin Macleod Memorial Cup final: Pentland United 2, Wick Groats 1 (at Castletown).
Fixtures – Monday, June 10 – Division Two: Pentland v Watten; Top Joe’s v Keiss (both 7.30pm).
Tuesday, June 11 – Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v John O’Groats; Pentland United v Castletown; Wick Groats v Staxigoe United (all 7.30pm).
Wednesday, June 12 – Division One: Wick Thistle v Lybster. Division Two: Swifts v Acks; Watten v Halkirk (all 7.30pm).
