Gallacher wonder saves help High Ormlie secure place in Highland Amateur Cup semi-finals
Goalkeeper Lewis Gallacher was praised for producing two “world-class saves” as High Ormlie Hotspur booked their place in the last four of the Highland Amateur Cup.
The 2022 winners came through 3-1 against Black Rock Rovers, first division leaders in the Inverness and District Football Association (IDFA), in Saturday’s quarter-final at Ormlie.
The home side were two up at half-time but Black Rock reduced the deficit and were pressing for an equaliser only for 20-year-old Gallacher to intervene twice in quick succession – first from a powerful free kick and then from a well-struck overhead effort.
Ryan Sutherland Snr had given Hotspur an early lead with a header from a Stuart Campbell corner, and Mark Munro lashed home the second after a good build-up. Drew Sutherland handed Black Rock a lifeline when he pulled one back.
Player/co-manager Ryan Sutherland Jnr admitted: “Our backs were to the wall a bit. They were pressing for it.
“Then Lewis pulled off two absolutely world-class saves one after the other. That really did keep us in it because if it went to 2-2 I’m not too sure how we would have responded.”
High Ormlie’s third came soon after from an own goal as they kept up their hopes of lifting the trophy for the second time in three years.
Gallacher was a key man in the 2022 final when he saved two of Pentland United’s penalties in the shootout.
Sutherland added: “He has been fantastic for us since he joined High Ormlie Hotspur.”
Hotspur will be up against holders Avoch in their semi-final at Tain on Saturday, August 3. Avoch beat Wick Groats in last year’s final and are the IDFA Premier League leaders.
Sutherland said: “They have a lot of knowledgeable footballers who have been around the block and won a lot of trophies. They will be a very streetwise and physical team.”
Asked whether he feels High Ormlie can go all the way again, Sutherland said: “With the season that we’re having, our results against a lot of big teams, I don’t see why not.
“Some of the football we’ve been playing has been really, really good. We’ve got a lot of good players.
“We just need to keep going. We all battle for each other and there’s a willingness to win for each other as well.”
Meanwhile, first-leg ties in the Steven Cup semi-finals will be played this Thursday and Friday, with the second legs next Wednesday. The Steven Cup final is at Lybster on August 3.
The Archer Shield inter-county match against Orkney takes place in Castletown on Saturday, July 20.
Results – Steven Cup, quarter-finals, first leg: Acks 2, Top Joe’s 1; Halkirk 1, Swifts 1; Watten 3, Keiss 3.
Highland Amateur Cup, quarter-finals: High Ormlie Hotspur 3, Black Rock Rovers 1; Pentland United 2, Ness 1; Sleat and Strath 2, Avoch 3; Stornoway Athletic 4, Helmsdale United 0.
Fixtures – Monday, July 15 – Steven Cup, quarter-finals, second leg: Keiss v Watten; Swifts v Halkirk; Top Joe’s v Acks.
Tuesday, July 16 – CAFA Division One: Lybster v Castletown; Wick Groats v John O’Groats (both 7.30pm).
Wednesday, July 17 – CAFA Division One: Pentland United v Staxigoe United; Wick Thistle v High Ormlie Hotspur (both 7.30pm).
