Halkirk ‘delighted to be back’ as they face long trip to Lochinver in Highland Amateur Cup
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Halkirk face by far the longest journey of the 10 Caithness clubs in action in Saturday’s Highland Amateur Cup first-round ties.
Having returned to competitive football after a break of a few years, the CAFA second division side are away to Lochinver of the North-West Sutherland league.
Halkirk player/co-manager Michael Bremner said: “We’ve had a bad few results recently but as I said at the start of the season we’re just happy to have a Halkirk team back in the league.
“It is a very long trip to Lochinver but one we’re all really looking forward to. I think it might have a part to play in our bad form recently – everyone’s minds have been on Lochinver!
“It’s what the Highland Amateur Cup is all about, though, and we’re delighted to be back in it. We couldn’t have asked for a better trip to bring the squad together.”
The ex-Thurso manager added: “It’s going to be a really tough game. I know a few of their players from the North Caledonian League, and Lochinver always compete well in the Sutherland league, but we’ll go down and give all we can to get a result and enjoy our trip home even more.”
Lybster will also be up against opposition from the North-West Sutherland league as Lochbroom make the journey to Cow Park.
“It’s a tough draw but it’s winnable,” Lybster manager Cameron Mackenzie said. “With our ties to Helmsdale, we have an understanding of what to expect and we’re ready for it.”
Wick Groats reached last year’s final, only to lose 1-0 to Avoch. They are involved in one of four all-Caithness ties as they come up against first division rivals Staxigoe United.
Groats won 2-1 when the teams met in the league just over three weeks ago.
Assistant manager Stewart Ross said: “In these competitions you’ve got to play good teams somewhere along the line.
“There are probably quite a lot of teams that are quite happy that the two of us are playing each other this early. I know we would be if two of the strongest teams in Caithness were playing each other.
“Traditionally a lot of the Caithness teams go very far in this competition. There will be local bragging rights on the go as well.
“We’re in a bit of a rebuild just now. I don’t know if we fully expected to go as far as we did last year, to be honest – it was a very good run and we just didn’t have quite enough in the final.
“Staxigoe are always a very difficult team and we’ve obviously got a bit of local rivalry, even between ex-players, They will have a point to prove – they probably weren’t happy that we got that 2-1 win in the league.”
Staxigoe manager Colin Sinclair said: “It couldn’t have been a tougher draw for us, but it’s a game we’re looking forward to. We had a tight game against them earlier in the season and I’m expecting a similar game again on Saturday.”
High Ormlie Hotspur, Highland Amateur Cup winners in 2022, take on Keiss at Naver.
High Ormlie player/co-manager Ryan Sutherland Jnr said: “We’re looking forward to the occasion. We go into every single game with the same mentality, trying to win every game to give us the best opportunity of having a shot at these cups.
“The Highland Amateur Cup holds a special place in the hearts of everyone connected with High Ormlie Hotspur. If we can replicate anything like that run [in 2022] then we’d jump at that opportunity.
“If we manage to get into the next round you’ll be looking at an Orkney team away, and there are no easy games when you go over there.”
Keiss manager Bradley Thomson said: “Football is 11 against 11, so as long as we work hard and put them under pressure we can make it hard for them.
“Against teams like High Ormlie Hotspur we have to cut out silly mistakes, because first division teams don’t let you get away with that.”
Top Joe’s are up against record eight-times winners Pentland United at Ormlie.
Top Joe’s manager Bruce Cormack said: “It’s going to be a very tough tie against Pentland United who have been one of the most successful sides in the Highland Amateur Cup over the years. We’ve got a few regulars missing but it gives an opportunity for others in the squad to show what they can do.
“We have a couple of experienced players who will keep the younger ones right.
“We will treat Pentland United with the respect they deserve and the players have to look forward to the challenge. The main thing is to go out and enjoy the game.”
The Stabbies’ co-manager Michael Gray said: “Saturday versus Top Joe’s will represent another different challenge but one we are really looking forward to.
“Highland Amateur Cup Saturdays are great occasions, so if we want to keep enjoying them we will have to set a good tempo from the outset and look to be clinical in the final third of the park.
“The commitment from Bruce Cormack and William Smith [secretary] to have maintained that club over such a long time is tremendous credit to them both. We are fully expecting a really competitive tie and if our approach is not correct it goes without saying we will be in trouble, as they have a really good blend of youth and experience.”
There is also a second division versus first division clash at Watten, where Wick Thistle are the visitors.
Watten manager Scott Bremner said: “I feel both clubs are in a similar situation in terms of rebuilding this season. We have clear values on how we play and that won’t change.
“I want the players to enjoy the occasion but, like Thistle, we want to win.
“It has been a rebuilding process with Watten, bringing in nine new players. In terms of the Highland Amateur Cup, it’s often compared to the Scottish Cup – anything can happen on the day.
“I’m very excited to lead Watten out against Thistle on Saturday. We’ll definitely be competitive and make it difficult for them.”
Wick Thistle manager Owen Harrold said: “You can never take anything for granted in the Highland Amateur Cup as every team wants to progress as far as possible.
“We know Watten will put up a good fight so we will have to be at our best. I’m sure I’ll get a positive reaction out of the boys after a disappointing result on Wednesday night.”
High Ormlie Hotspur, Pentland United, Wick Groats and Wick Thistle all came through preliminary ties in April.
Results – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, quarter-finals: Acks 0, Wick Groats 9; Castletown 1, Staxigoe United 3; Halkirk 2, High Ormlie Hotspur 7; Swifts 1, Pentland United 8.
CAFA Division One: Lybster 0, Staxigoe United 0; Pentland United 3, High Ormlie Hotspur 3; Wick Groats 2, Castletown 0; Wick Thistle 1, John O’Groats 2.
Division Two: Acks 3, Halkirk 1; Keiss 7, Pentland 1; Pentland 1, Top Joe’s 1; Watten 0, Keiss 2.
Fixtures – Saturday, May 11 – Highland Amateur Cup, round one, north section (ties involving Caithness clubs): High Ormlie Hotspur v Keiss (Naver, 3pm); Lochinver v Halkirk (2pm); Lybster v Lochbroom (3pm); Staxigoe United v Wick Groats (Upper Bignold, 4pm); Top Joe’s v Pentland United (Ormlie, 4pm); Watten v Wick Thistle (4pm).
Tuesday, May 14 – CAFA Division One: Castletown v Wick Thistle; Pentland United v Wick Groats; Staxigoe United v High Ormlie Hotspur. Division Two: Pentland v Keiss; Watten v Acks (all 7.15pm).
Wednesday, May 15 – CAFA Division One: Lybster v John O'Groats. Division Two: Swifts v Top Joe’s (both 7.15pm).
Friday, May 17 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, semi-final: Pentland United v Staxigoe United (7pm). CAFA Division Two: Keiss v Halkirk (7.15pm).
Saturday, May 18 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, semi-final: High Ormlie Hotspur v Wick Groats (3pm).
