Eain Mackintosh Cup is special for Hotspur squad, says goalkeeper Gallacher
Goalkeeper Lewis Gallacher is hoping High Ormlie Hotspur can continue their special relationship with the Eain Mackintosh Cup by overcoming Pentland United in Friday’s semi-final at Dunnet.
Hotspur have lifted the trophy in each of the past two seasons, thumping Wick Groats 6-0 in the 2023 final before beating Staxigoe United 2-0 last year.
An away tie against the reigning county champions and current league leaders represents the toughest possible assignment, but High Ormlie will go into it with confidence after a 2-1 victory over Wick Groats in Caithness AFA Division One on Tuesday night.
Halkirk and Castletown meet in Friday’s other semi. The final is at Halkirk’s Recreation Park on Saturday, July 5.
Kuba Koziol got the opener for High Ormlie three minutes from half-time at the Upper Bignold in midweek. Liam Bremner equalised for Wick Groats just after the hour mark but Koziol secured all three points for the visitors when he headed home from a free kick after 82 minutes.
Gallacher (21), who is part of the High Ormlie management team, said: “I thought it was arguably our most complete performance of the season, especially considering the injuries we faced. We asked boys to play in different positions from usual and they more than held their own.
“I’m delighted that Kuba was rewarded with two goals, as he offers so much in the build-up.”
Gallacher also picked out Ben Durrand and Stuart Campbell for praise.
Looking ahead to the semi-final, Gallacher said: “Of course this is a special cup for the squad and for the Mackintosh family. It’s something we set our sights on every year and it’s a game we are looking forward to, so a performance like that on Tuesday night can help keep the boys going in what is a packed schedule.”
Pentland United moved six points clear at the top of the first division with a 5-1 victory over Lybster at Ham Park. Andy Brims, James Murray, Andy Mackay, Sean Munro and Sean Campbell scored for the champions, with Bobby Gunn pulling one back from the penalty spot.
John O’Groats had an impressive 5-2 victory over Castletown at Folke Park.
The prolific Marc Macgregor hit a hat-trick, with Craig Kennedy and Ross Harper also on the scoresheet for JOG.
Castletown’s goals came from Danny Mackay and Owen Bain, and they also missed a penalty.
In Division Two, Acks bounced back from their extra-time defeat in the Highland Amateur Cup with a 7-0 victory over Top Joe’s.
Craig Sutherland scored a hat-trick on his second debut for the club. Acks’ other scorers were Ebi Ambakederemo, Harvey Labor, Cameron Watt and Andy Hardwick.
Results – Saturday – Highland Amateur Cup, round three (ties involving Caithness clubs): High Ormlie Hotspur 1, Staxigoe United 0; Inver 5, Thurso Acks 1 (after extra time); Pentland United 5, Inverness Athletic 3 (after extra time); Wick Groats 1, Avoch 2.
Sunday – SWF Highlands and Islands League: Caithness 3, Sutherland 2.
Tuesday – Division One: John O’Groats 5, Castletown 2; Keiss 1, Staxigoe United 9; Pentland United 5, Lybster 1; Wick Groats 1, High Ormlie Hotspur 2. Division Two: Top Joe’s 0, Acks 7.
Wednesday – Division Two: Swifts 2, Thurso Pentland 2; Watten 1, Wick Thistle 5.
Fixtures – Friday, June 27 – Eain Mackintosh Cup semi-finals: Halkirk v Castletown; Pentland United v High Ormlie Hotspur (both 7.15pm). Division Two: Acks v Wick Thistle (7.30pm).
Saturday, June 28 – Friendly: Orkney v Wick Academy (Kirkwall, 12.30pm).
Sunday, June 29 – SWF Highlands and Islands League: Clachnacuddin v Caithness (Evanton, 1pm).
Monday, June 30 – Division Two: Halkirk v Swifts; Thurso Pentland v Watten; Wick Thistle v Top Joe’s (all 7.30pm).
Tuesday, July 1 – Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v Keiss; Staxigoe United v Pentland United (both 7.30pm).
Wednesday, July 2 – Division One: Castletown v Wick Groats; Lybster v John O’Groats (both 7.30pm).
Thursday, July 3 – Division Two: Thurso Pentland v Halkirk; Wick Thistle v Swifts (both 7.30pm).
Friday, July 4 – Division Two: Acks v Watten (7.30pm).
CAFA standings – Division One: 1 Pentland United (played 9, points 25); 2 Wick Groats (9, 19); 3 High Ormlie Hotspur (9, 19); 4 Staxigoe United (9, 14); 5 Lybster (9, 12); 6 John O’Groats (9, 8); 7 Castletown (9, 4); 8 Keiss (9, 3).
Division Two: 1 Wick Thistle (played 7, points 21); 2 Thurso Pentland (8, 16); 3 Acks (7, 15); 4 Watten (8, 8); 5 Swifts (7, 6); 6 Halkirk (7, 2); 7 Top Joe’s (8, 0). Halkirk deducted six points for playing an ineligible player in two league fixtures.
SWF Highlands and Islands League standings: 1 Buckie (played 6, points 18); 2 Caithness (6, 12); 3 Clachnacuddin (6, 12); 4 Orkney (6, 9); 5 Sutherland (7, 6); 6 Nairn St Ninian (7, 0).
