Cup final hat-trick for Munro as Wick Groats are hit for six by High Ormlie
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High Ormlie Hotspur co-manager Liam Sutherland declared that he couldn't be prouder of the team after their astonishing 6-0 victory over Wick Groats in the Eain Mackintosh Cup final.
Eighteen-year-old Mark Munro was the star of the show at Halkirk's Recreation on Saturday with a brilliant second-half hat-trick as Hotspur secured the first county knockout trophy in their 11-year history.
"I couldn't be more proud of them," Sutherland said with the post-match celebrations in full swing. "The boys put in an unbelievable performance.
"In the first half Groats probably started better but we went in 1-0 up. We said they're going to have a lot of the ball, so we've got to be ready to take our chances on the counter-attack, and that's exactly what we did."
James Mackintosh opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time with a shot from the edge of the box.
Hotspur doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second period when a goal-bound effort from Aidan Reid was touched in by a defender.
Any realistic prospect of a comeback by Groats disappeared when Ben Gordon added a well-taken third after 68 minutes.
Munro then got in on the act, firing in High Ormlie's fourth goal on 78 minutes.
The former Ross County youth was proving too hot to handle and with 87 minutes gone he struck again after a superb solo run.
Two minutes into stoppage time, man-of-the-match Munro latched onto a ball over the top and slotted in his third with what proved to be the last kick of the game.
"Mark has been unbelievable for us since we signed him," Sutherland said. "We managed to get him at the start of this season when he realised he wasn't getting kept on by Ross County and what a signing he has been.
"He has fitted in really well and is enjoying his summer football with us.
"If he's gambling and running behind there's always a chance he's going to get in, and his finishing is unbelievable. He's only 18 and he can go really far as a player."
Result – Eain Mackintosh Cup final: High Ormlie Hotspur 6, Wick Groats 0.
Fixtures – Monday, July 10 – David Allan Shield, first round: Keiss v Acks; Top Joe's v Thurso Pentland (both 7.15pm).
Tuesday, July 11 – David Allan Shield, first round: Lybster v Wick Groats; Pentland United v John O'Groats; Watten v Wick Thistle (all 7.15pm).
Friendly: Wick Academy v Ross County XI (7pm).
Wednesday, July 12 – David Allan Shield, first round: Staxigoe United v Thurso Swifts (7.15pm).
Thursday, July 13 – Caithness AFA Division One: Wick Thistle v Acks (7.30pm).
Friendly: St Duthus v Wick Academy (7.15pm).
Friday, July 14 – Steven Cup, quarter-finals: Thurso Pentland v Keiss; Top Joe's v Lybster (both 7.15pm).
Caithness AFA Division One: John O'Groats v Wick Groats (7.30pm).
