Groats too strong for battling Hotspur
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WICK Groats picked up their second trophy this season as they bagged the David Allan Shield on Saturday.
They fended off a courageous challenge from Division Two side High Ormlie Hotspur in a 3-0 win at the Dammies.
Goals from Scott Risbridger, Ben Sinclair and Graeme MacNab sealed the deal for Groats, who have already won the Eain MacIntosh Cup this season.
While the scoreline may look like an easy day at the office for Groats, manager Kevin Anderson insisted it was anything but.
He said: “The scoreline flattered us. Three-nil was not a true reflection of how the game went.
“I thought High Ormlie worked very hard and they made it tough for us, especially in the first half. Their players did themselves proud.
“We managed to impose ourselves the longer the game went on. Scott finished well for our first after latching on to Graeme MacNab’s through ball.
“There was a bit of good fortune with our second.
“The ball was ricocheting left, right and centre before falling to Ben who tucked it away from a couple of yards out. Then Graeme put some gloss on the scoreline for us with a clinical finish inside their box.
“Overall, we’re pleased to have landed another trophy. However, while we did deserve to win, it wasn’t our best display.”
High Ormlie boss Ewan McElroy had nothing but praise for his young side.
He said: “I’m immensely proud of the boys. Obviously we are disappointed with the result, but for a young team playing in a lower division to get this far is an achievement in itself.
“Wick Groats are probably the best team in the county but our boys coped well. Kevin is correct in saying the result flattered them because if you saw the game you’d know that wasn’t a 3-0.
“We did incredibly well in the first half and I thought we were unlucky not to go a goal up. However, Groats’ class began to tell and they pulled away from us.
“Special mention for midfielder Ryan Sutherland and centre-half Aaron McNicol who acquitted themselves very well against such a good team.
“The boys are a bit down but it’s good we’ve got another cup final, the Steven Cup, to look forward to.
“Again, we’ll be underdogs, but if we play like we did against Groats then it could be a close match between us and Castletown.”
