Five keepers in four games but Thurso Acks go through to cup final
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Acks have made it safely through to the first cup final of the Caithness AFA season despite having to contend with a goalkeeping crisis.
Mark Aitken was drafted in as goalie for their Colin Macleod Memorial Cup semi-final against Thurso rivals Pentland at the Dammies on Friday night but had to be replaced at half-time after injuring a thigh.
With Acks comfortably ahead at that point, player/co-manager Craig Trueman took over between the posts and they went on to seal a 4-1 win.
“We have been a bit short and we've now had five keepers in four games, which has not helped us,” Trueman said.
“Fair play to Mark Aitken – he did play, but in the warm-up he hurt his thigh. He played the first half and then I had to go in goals myself in the second half.
“To be fair, I think at that stage the game was probably done. We did start well.
“We were 3-0 up at half-time. The boys had kind of done their job so I didn't have much to do in the second half.”
Graham Bremner scored twice for Acks and their others came from Kyle Innes (penalty) and Michael Bremner. Eadan Ross pulled one back for Pentland.
Acks are benefiting from the experience of Michael Bremner, Thurso's manager in the North Caledonian League and a seasoned county league player.
Trueman explained: “Michael is going to help us out on match days so that we can concentrate on playing. We've been a bit short, as probably every team has, so Michael is going to help us out in whatever capacity he can.
“Michael scored the goal of the game. The ball got whipped in from the right and it was a really good first-time finish.
“Graham worked his socks off all game so he deserved his goals.”
Fixtures: Monday, May 9 – Division One: Acks v Lybster; Wick Groats v Wick Thistle (both 7pm). Tuesday, May 10 – Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v John O'Groats; Staxigoe United v Pentland United (both 7pm).
Wednesday, May 11 – Division Two: Castletown v Pentland; Swifts v Top Joe's; Watten v Keiss (all 7pm).
