Caithness second division title up for grabs going into final round of fixtures
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The title is still up for grabs in Caithness AFA Division Two going into the last round of fixtures on Monday.
Three teams remain in contention for the automatic promotion spot after Lybster and Thurso Swifts drew 2-2 in a nervy top-of-the-table battle on Wednesday night while Keiss were keeping their hopes alive with a comfortable home victory over Thurso Pentland.
Lybster and Swifts are joint top on 32 points. A win for Lybster at Watten will clinch the title, barring an inconceivable turnaround in goal difference in Swifts' favour.
Swifts will have to beat Keiss at home and hope Lybster drop points in their game. Keiss could yet overtake the top two, if they can get the better of Swifts while at the same time Lybster return empty-handed from Watten.
When the dust has settled, the second-placed team will compete in next Friday's promotion/relegation play-off against either Castletown or John O'Groats.
Lybster took on Swifts at Cow Park in the league four days after losing the Steven Cup final to them on the same ground.
Swifts, full of confidence after Saturday's 3-0 result, started strongly and Mark McCoustra put them ahead after four minutes.
Lybster equalised from the penalty spot before half-time. Callum Grant was taken down in the box and Lewis Mackillop stepped up to score.
The home side went 2-1 up with 10 minutes to go. After good link-up play in the middle, Andrew Sutherland took a touch and drove in a shot at the near post.
The Lybster celebrations were cut short when Darryn Mackay got his head to a bouncing ball in the box to ensure a share of the points.
Lybster manager Cameron Mackenzie said: “I have to praise my players for showing great character in not only bouncing back from Saturday but from a goal down tonight too.
“We completely dominated the game but couldn’t take our chances. I’m fully confident we can get the job done in Watten. Everyone must remain focused and must go into the game with the same mentality.”
Swifts manager Stevie Reid was unable to attend the game because of a sickness bug.
Tony Miller added two more goals to his tally for the season as Keiss beat Pentland 5-1. Oliver Manton, Alan Steven and Lewis Gill got the others for Keiss, with Jason Stebbing replying for the bottom side
Castletown won 3-1 at home to Wick Thistle on Wednesday night, bringing the Quarrymen level on points again with John O'Groats in the fight to avoid the play-off spot.
Castletown's scorers were Jack McKechnie, Lewis Gow and Garry Macleod, with Scott Durrand on target for the Jags.
Results – Steven Cup final: Lybster 0, Swifts 3.
Highland Amateur Cup, semi-finals: Clach Reserves 0, Avoch 7; Stromness Athletic 0, Wick Groats 1.
Caithness AFA Division One: Castletown 3, Wick Thistle 1; High Ormlie Hotspur 2, Staxigoe United 2; John O'Groats 2, Acks 1; Wick Groats 1, Pentland United 1. Division Two: Keiss 5, Thurso Pentland 1; Lybster 2, Swifts 2; Watten 2, Top Joe's 2.
Fixtures – Saturday, August 12 – Highland League Cup, preliminary round: Wick Academy v Nairn County (3pm).
David Allan Shield final – High Ormlie Hotspur v Wick Groats (Back Park, Castletown, 3pm).
Sunday, August 13 – SWF Highlands and Islands League: Caithness v Sutherland (Back Park, Castletown, 2pm).
Monday, August 14 – Division Two: Swifts v Keiss; Top Joe's v Thurso Pentland; Watten v Lybster v (all 6.45pm).
Tuesday, August 15 – Division One: Acks v Wick Groats; Castletown v High Ormlie Hotspur; Pentland United v Wick Thistle; Staxigoe United v John O'Groats (all 6.45pm).
