County triumphs over Orkney
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Ross Allan scores Pentland United’s winning goal – despite a lunging tackle by Kirkwall Hotspurs defender Duncan Gray.
CAITHNESS came out on top in all three tussles against Orkney opponents in Saturday’s second round of the MacLeod IFA Highland Amateur Cup.
Defending champions Pentland United, Acks and Keiss were among six county teams to qualify for the last 16.
United put their fans through the mill in passing up a clutch of chances before defeating Kirkwall Hotspurs 1-0 at Ham Park.
Spurs showed virtually no attacking ambition, keeping in the tie through a combination of defensive steel and good fortune as the home side squandered a succession of decent openings through Mark Nichol, Darryn Mackay and Ross Allan.The latter wore the reddest face when he cleared the bar from close in after being presented with an unguarded net.
Allan got the all-important goal 20 minutes from time when he sped past two defenders before clipping a shot past the visiting keeper.
Acks showed plenty of mettle in prevailing 2-1 in a wind-ravaged clash away to Stromness Athletic.
Playing against the elements in the first half, Acks were not punished when their keeper, Neal Clark, rashly upended Andrew Sclater in the penalty box.
The keeper got out of jail when he managed to get an outstretched foot to Sclater’s spot-kick.
The Thurso men proceeded to take the lead when David Hale’s cross on the half-hour mark was met by a scorching volley from defender Alan Munro. Fifteen minutes into the second half, home sub Martin Mowat hit the post with his first touch and scored with his second, from the rebound.
Acks were not to be denied and Tony Miller’s assist set Murray Mackintosh free and he netted with a neat lob. David MacGregor’s men weathered late pressure to stay on top.
Keiss meanwhile progressed with a gritty 2-1 away victory over Kirkwall United. Colin MacKenzie’s marvellous late strike separated the battle between sides who play in the second flight of their respective leagues.
United had got off to a dream start when Garry Sutherland headed them into a third-minute lead. Perry Campbell restored equality from the penalty spot soon after the turnaround. With extra-time looming, MacKenzie controlled a long pass before tricking a defender and despatching an unstoppable shot high into the net.
Wick Groats made short work of Gairloch Aultbea United, scoring seven without reply.
The home men could have made a claim for one of the fastest-ever goals when Stewart Ross tried his luck straight from the kick-off.
His wind-assisted drive cracked back off the crossbar, leaving a tap-in for his brother, Kyle. The latter, however, screwed the rebound horribly wide.
He did go on to strike twice for Groats who lead 5-0 at the interval. Derek Shearer, Alan Larnach, James Mackay and Graham MacNab also found the net.
Castletown were also not extended in their 4-0 win at home to Kyleakin. Martyn Cook netted his first goal for his new side before Stuart MacKenzie doubled the lead after a defensive mix-up.
Gavin Henderson rattled the crossbar with a 30-yard free-kick as Castletown enjoyed first-half dominance. The tie was as good as finished when Chris Sutherland latched on to Henderson’s through-ball to make it 3-0 with a cracking finish. Youngster Martyn Campbell rounded off the victory with a penalty.
Halkirk needed extra-time to win through in the only all-Caithness tie. A shock looked on the cards when second-division Thurso Pentland raced to a 2-0 interval thanks to a Ewan Scott header and a contested penalty converted by Darren Mackay.
Russell Bain got one back before Paul Mackay levelled with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Halkirk went into extra-time the stronger with Lee Elder putting them ahead from the penalty spot before Bain raced on to a Mark Munro assist to make it 4-2.
Top Joe’s ended up on the end of a 12-0 hiding on their trip to the Black Isle to play Culbokie.
Striker Steven Lowe failed to convert a penalty early on but it proved academic as the second-division outfit was put to the sword.
Culbokie’s neighbours, Avoch, matched them in posting a 12-0 away win over Lairg Rovers.
Last year’s runners-up, Golspie Stafford, progressed after racking up a 3-1 win at the home of neighbours Brora Wanderers.
Ness and Point were the winners in the Western Isles, with the other two second-round WI clashes, Lochs v Carloway and Stornoway Athletic v Back, going ahead tomorrow.
The draw for the last 16 and quarter-final takes place in Golspie on Sunday.
Results – Brora Wanderers 1, Golspie Stafford 3; Castletown 4, Kyleakin 0; Culbokie 12, Top Joe’s 0; Fortrose 2, Kirkwall Rovers 5; Halkirk 4, Thurso Pentland 2 (aet); Kirkwall United 1, Keiss 2; Lairg Rovers 0, Avoch 12; Ness 2, Westside 1; Pentland United 1, Kirkwall Hotspurs 0; Point 6, Harris 2; Portree 2, Blackrock Rovers 3; Sleat & Strath 2, Rendall 0 (at Helmsdale); Stromness Athletic 1, Acks 2; Wick Groats 7, Gairloch Aultbea United 0.
