Cup is highlight of season for every amateur player, says assistant manager as Thistle go through
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Former winners Wick Thistle made it through to the second round of the Highland Amateur Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lybster at Cow Park.
The only goal came after 70 minutes when Kyle Henderson fired in an unstoppable free kick from wide on the right.
Assistant manager Andrew Henderson played for Thistle for more than 10 years and was part of the team that won the trophy in 2001. As such he has a keen sense of the prestige surrounding the tournament.
“The Highland Amateur Cup is the highlight of every amateur player's season and fortunately we're into the second round," he said. "All that matters is that we're in the hat.”
He was pleased with the way Thistle's youngsters performed.
“Lybster have got a good team there and it was a typical amateur football battle," Henderson said.
“Both teams had chances. Fortunately we took one with Kyle Henderson's stunning free kick.
“We were short of a few players but the boys that came in did really well. Owen Kilmas and Scott Durrand are young boys that hopefully will stay with us for the future and go on to better things as well.
“It is frustrating that in the last few games we've struggled to score. I think we're maybe trying too hard sometimes in the last third."
The woodwork took a pounding at both ends on Saturday, and Lybster had a goal ruled out for offside in the second half. However, the home side couldn't find a way through.
Lybster manager Cameron Mackenzie said: “We're a team that has been struggling for results this year so far.
“The first half was pretty tight but I thought in the second half we played well and were the better team. We hit the bar, hit the post, there was a lot of chances there for Lybster.
“It's a hard one to take but there are positives to build on.
“The boys all did themselves proud. In the second half especially, they could easily have dropped their heads and got tired – but no, they battled away.
“It was end-to-end football. As a neutral you want to watch a game like that.”
Thistle will face Ardersier in round two.
