Co-manager Gray sees 'green shoots of recovery' as Pentland United ease through
Pentland United co-manager Michael Gray believes the "green shoots of recovery" are evident for the Stabbies after their underwhelming start to the 2023 campaign.
The county champions drew their opening league match and were eliminated from the Highland Amateur Cup in the preliminary round. But they are now getting into their stride and they eased through to the quarter-finals of the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup with a 5-1 home victory over Staxigoe United on Tuesday night.
Sean Campbell, Marc Macgregor (2), Allan Munro and Owen Bain scored for the Stabbies, with Bryan Reid on target for Staxigoe, who are still seeking their first win.
Gray said: “It has been quite a low-key and probably a disappointing start to the season with the results that we've had – and the performances, to be perfectly honest, haven't really been to the level we'd have hoped for.
“But I felt on Tuesday night there certainly were green shoots of recovery. There were some really good passages of play and the things that we've been asking them to do, they were taking on board.
“It was a lot more pleasing. Don't get me wrong, Staxigoe had spells in the game as well, especially at the start of the second half.
“Mackenzie Beaton [Pentland United keeper] had a good save at one point and then they had another chance that went just past the post.
“These were quite pivotal moments in the game. I think, on the level of chances that we created, we were worthy winners.”
Staxigoe manager Colin Sinclair said: "We didn't start well at all and were lucky to be still in the game at half-time. We did better in the second half, and possibly could have been back at 3-3 if we'd taken our chances, then we lost two late goals.
"It has not been an easy start this season. Injuries and suspensions have left us a bit light, and our first three games have been against the top two.
"But we're improving and getting players back so I'm confident things will get better for us soon."
Keiss went through to the last eight after beating Watten 2-1 after extra time at Folke Park in John O'Groats.
Kyle Sutherland and Sean Campbell scored for Keiss, while Watten's goal came from an o.g. They battled hard to take the tie to extra time after having a man sent off early on.
Wick Thistle hit the goal trail on Wednesday night with a runaway 15-0 away victory over a young Thurso Pentland side in the first round of the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup.
Most of the damage was done by Colin Henstridge and Darren MacGregor, with four goals apiece, and Scott Durrand, with a hat-trick. The Jags now take on Keiss in Saturday's quarter-finals.
Steven Anderson hit a treble in Wick Groats' 5-0 win at home to Acks, with the others coming from Alan Mathieson and an own goal.
Groats now go to Castletown in the last eight.
Lewis Swan got a double for the Quarrymen as they beat Swifts 3-1 at Back Park. Greg Macleod was also on target for Castletown, with Kian Mackay replying for Swifts.
Results – Caithness AFA Division One: Castletown 1, Acks 1; High Ormlie Hotspur 2, Wick Thistle 3; Staxigoe United 0, Pentland United 1.
Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, first round: Castletown 3, Swifts 1; High Ormlie Hotspur 1, Lybster 3; Pentland United 5, Staxigoe United 1; Thurso Pentland 0, Wick Thistle 15; Watten 1, Keiss 2 (AET); Wick Groats 5, Acks 0.
Fixtures – Saturday, May 6 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup quarter-finals: Castletown v Wick Groats; John O'Groats v Top Joe's; Lybster v Pentland United; Wick Thistle v Keiss (all 3pm).
Tuesday, May 9 – Division One: Acks v Staxigoe United; Wick Groats v Castletown. Division Two: Top Joe's v Thurso Pentland; Watten v Lybster (all 7pm).
Wednesday, May 10 – Division One: Pentland United v High Ormlie Hotspur; Wick Thistle v John O'Groats. Division Two: Swifts v Keiss (all 7pm).