Groats on course for title defence
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Top Joe’s player Kevin Treasurer gets the better of Thurso Pentland defender Kerr Mackay in the division two match at the Dammies. Photo: www.jamesgunn.co.uk
WICK Groats ground out an ugly 1-0 win on Wednesday to retain their 100 per cent record in their Caithness division-one title defence.
It proved yet another single-goal defeat for Castletown who remain anchored with Swifts at the bottom, with not a point between them.
The vital goal at Upper Bignold came on the half-hour mark and reflected the dour nature of the match. A corner from Grant MacNab came back to him and his follow-up was headed on by player
A scrap for possession on the edge of the six-yard box ensued with Kyle Ross stabbing the ball past keeper Lee Kirk.
In a game of very few clear chances, Kirk excelled with a spectacular save to keep out a Graham MacNab shot in the second period.
Next door, Staxigoe United prevailed by the odd goal in three in a dogfight versus John O’Groats.
A hotly contested affair saw the visitors pass up a couple of half-chances before United struck on 18 minutes after Gavin Cormack rounded off a surge upfield with a fine finish.
John O’Groats drew level seven minutes after the turnaround when Grant Budge made space for himself before slotting past keeper Daniel Budge.
The 57th-minute winner came from the penalty spot after John O’Groats keeper Shaun Henderson balked Stevie Reid in the box. Colin Sinclair stepped up to nail the spot-kick.
Peter Niwa and Jimmy Budge then missed snips to keep the game hanging in the balance until the final whistle.
Pentland United improved their goal difference with a 9-0 slaughter of Swifts at Dunnet to stay in second spot.
The Thurso men competed in the first half which United led thanks to a Michael Petrie volley and a Darryn Mackay goal straight from a corner.
But the visitors collapsed after the interval when they had keeper Asa Sinclair to thank for keeping the final score in single figures.
Mark Nichol grabbed another hat-trick with the other goals falling to Jamie MacKenzie, Grant Steven, Petrie and a Willie Inrig own goal.
Halkirk jumped into fourth spot after defeating Acks 2-1 at Recreation Park.
A wind-assisted corner from Michael Bremner put the Wildcats in front. Lee Elder then struck the woodwork before a Stevie Campbell power-header from a corner put the home side in the box-seat early in the second period.
Acks snatched a goal back on 55 minutes when Murray Mackintosh set up Kieran Munro to net from close range.Something had to give when Rovers and Thistle locked swords, each defending 100 per cent records in division two.
The spoils ended up with the Jags following a relatively comfortable 3-1 victory.
John Farquhar fired them in front before strikes from Greg Gunn and Ross McNeill put them in easy street. Lee Lyall’s late consolation was the first Thistle have conceded in five league matches.
Thurso Pentland also kept their 100 per cent record intact after a 4-2 win over Top Joe’s at the Dammies.
Darren Mackay added to his early penalty before Keith Foubister grabbed a goal back for Joe’s just before the turnaround. Sean Moodie headed Pentland 3-1 in front before a defensive mix-up gifted Kevin Treasurer to reduce the leeway. Pentland sealed victory with a close-range finish from Steven John.
Lybster got their first point of the season as a result of Lewis Gow’s last-minute equaliser at Keiss.
The home side were hard done by in the first half when Calum Campbell twice struck the bar and Perry Campbell hit a post with a peach of a free kick.
They took the lead early on through Andrew Shearer only for Gow to equalise near the turnaround.
Keiss went in front when defender Andrew Harris beat keeper Alan Mowat to a high ball. The home side had a stonewall penalty claim turned down before Gow netted with the last kick of the game.
New boys Ormlie Hotspurs celebrated their first league victory when they defeated Francis Street Club 2-1.
Spurs hit their straps early with Alexander Elder and David Swanson scoring within the first 10 minutes.
Alan Henderson, who made a competent start to his refereeing career, showed a straight red card to FSC’s Mark Mackay with 10 minutes left. The short-handed visitors got a goal back at the death with a scrambled finish.
Results – Division one: Halkirk 2, Acks 1; Pentland United 9, Swifts 0; Staxigoe United 2, John O’Groats 1; Wick Groats 1, Castletown 0.
Division two: Keiss 2, Lybster 2; Ormlie Hotspurs 2, FSC 1; Thurso Pentland 4, Top Joe’s 2; Rovers 1, Thistle 3.
Fixtures – Tonight (7.15pm): Colin Macleod Memorial Cup semi-finals: Acks v Wick Thistle; Staxigoe United v Halkirk. Eain Mackintosh Cup second round: FSC v Top Joe’s.
Monday: Eain Mackintosh Cup second round (7.15pm): Pentland United v John O’Groats; Thurso Pentland v Castletown.
Tuesday (7.15pm): Eain Mackintosh Cup second round: Swifts v Wick Groats; Staxigoe United v FSC or Top Joe’s.
Thursday (7.30pm): Division two: Ormlie Hotspurs v Keiss; Thurso Pentland v Rovers; Wick Thistle v Top Joe’s.
