Groats defeat derby rivals after rare rollicking
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Wick Groats boss Kevin Anderson revealed he had to give his team a very rare half-time rollicking.
Groats had found themselves 2-1 down against local rivals Wick Thistle in their David Allan Shield clash.
Graham MacNab had given them the lead only for Colin Henstridge and Rikki Cormack to turn things round for Thistle.
Words were duly said at the interval and they seemed to have the desired effect as MacNab bagged two more to complete his hat-trick, with John Budge (2) and Sandy Sutherland also netting in a 6-2 victory.
Anderson said: "We started well and then we let things slip during the first half.
"I often find that having had a big game a few days before [Groats had won the Eain Mackintosh Cup final at the weekend], the lads are a bit jaded for the next one.
"So I had to deliver a rare rollicking but credit to them, they responded well – especially Graham MacNab. I think it's fair to say that he's back after the amount of goals he has netted since his return from injury."
Elsewhere, there were goals galore as Thurso Pentland booked their place in the next round having beaten a determined Top Joes side 6-3 after extra time.
The visitors netted via Darren Mackay (2), Brandon Macleod, John McLean, Adam Bailey and an own goal. Top Joes replied through Mark Hutcheon, Shaun MacDonald and William Cannop.
Thurso Pentland boss Scott Davidson said: "Top Joes gave us a tough game. Yes, they are not doing so well in the league, but they always make it hard for you.
"It was a tough game in wet conditions. We had some players missing through holidays but the fringe guys who stepped in did well and that bodes well for us in the race to secure the promotion/relegation play-off spot at the end of the season."
Top Joes boss Bruce Cormack acknowledged that extra time proved to be one hurdle too much for his young side.
He said: "The boys just ran out of steam. Over 90 minutes, we gave a good account of ourselves. We came back to level after being 2-0 down and did it again to tie at 3-3. In fact, we could have won it before extra time.
"Our luck is not good right now. An example was getting in Graham Macdonald to join us before the game and three minutes into his debut for us, I have to substitute him as he's picked up a knee injury. Hopefully it won't be too bad."
Meanwhile, Keiss's goalkeeper had a back-breaking time of it after having to pick the ball from his own net a dozen times as Staxigoe United inflicted a 12-0 thrashing.
Martin Banks and Kyle Henderson each grabbed a hat-trick while there were braces for Grant MacNab and Sam Barclay. Grant Aitkenhead and Colin Davidson were also on target.
Pentland United took local derby bragging rights as goals from Cameron Montgomery (2) and Kyle Innes sealed a 3-0 win against Castletown.
Aaron Wilson and Lee Sutherland were the heroes for High Ormlie Hotspur as they saw off Watten 2-1, with Shane Honeyman replying.
Thurso Pentland will be celebrating their 100th anniversary with a special festival of football at The Dammies on Saturday, July 13.
The event gets under way at 10am with a number of teams participating in the Dodo and Clair Maclean Seven-a-Side Trophy with a full match at 3pm between Thurso Pentland v Thurso Pentland Legends.
There will also be a raffle, hot food and a licensed bar. All proceeds will go to the charity Caithness Diabetes.
