High Ormlie Hotspur 'buzzing' for cup clash as they look to move on from poor run
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Co-manager Liam Sutherland is confident High Ormlie Hotspur can put a poor run of results behind them as they look to continue their defence of the Highland Amateur Cup in an all-Caithness tie against Thurso Acks.
The holders have lost four games in a row since knocking Pentland United out of the tournament in a preliminary tie last month – the latest setback being a 5-1 defeat to the Stabbies at Ham Park on Wednesday night in Caithness AFA Division One.
Looking ahead to Saturday's first-round encounter with Acks at Morrison Park, Sutherland said: "We've had a tough run since our last Highland Amateur Cup tie but that won't concern us too much heading into the game. We've still played some very good football at times but just haven't really managed to get results.
"Everyone is absolutely buzzing for Saturday. They all love the Highland Amateur Cup, so we just need to put these last couple of weeks behind us and make sure we're all ready for what's going to be another tough game."
Acks player/manager Craig Trueman said: "I don’t think High Ormlie's poor form will count for much come Saturday. They’ll be the favourites regardless, and we’ll have to be at our best to compete with them.
"But I do believe if our boys show up ready to put a shift in for one another we can give them a game. It’s always tough if you get drawn away to the holders in the first round, but our record against them last year was decent – won twice, lost once – so hopefully that can give our boys some confidence going into it."
Acks were beaten 3-2 at home by Staxigoe United on Tuesday night. Martin Banks (2) and Bryan Reid scored for Staxigoe, who led 3-1 at the break, with Chris Riddell and Marc Keith replying for the home side.
Trueman said: "Our terrible first half cost us, but we got ourselves back into the game in the second half and on another night we possibly could have nicked something from it."
It was a first win of the season for Staxigoe, who face a tricky Highland Amateur Cup tie at Couper Park on Saturday against North West Sutherland League champions Helmsdale United.
Staxigoe manager Colin Sinclair said: "We were delighted to get the win against Acks. We played well in the first half and took our chances, which we've struggled with a bit, then battled away well in the second half and had to work hard for the win.
"Hopefully that can kick-start our season. We're looking forward to our game against Helmsdale on Saturday – it's going to be a tough game down there.
"They've had a good start to their season, and had a great season last year, so it's going to be another difficult game for us. But I'm hoping to have a full squad for it and hopefully we'll be able to get the win."
Wick Groats travel to Lochbroom, who beat Watten 5-2 in the preliminary round. Groats continued their impeccable start to the league campaign with a 6-1 home victory over Castletown on Tuesday – three days after beating the same opponents 1-0 at Back Park in the quarter-finals of the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup.
Alan Mathieson and Steven Anderson got two apiece for Groats, with the others coming from Ben Sinclair and Sean Stewart. Finlay Marshall scored for Castletown.
Groats manager Kevin Anderson said: "I was delighted with the performance – it was night and day from Saturday. We knew we had to be so much better, and we were.
"Some really good team goals were scored but the pick of the bunch had to be when Alan Mathieson cut in from the right-hand side and on his left peg, from 25 yards out, curled it straight into the far-off top corner – a great goal.
"We just need to try and kick on now and maintain these levels going forward.
"Saturday's game will be very difficult. They have a good few lads playing North Caley, so I fully expect a really tough game, but it's one that we are very much looking forward to."
Pentland United's midweek win put them back on top of the Division One table, one point ahead of Wick Groats who have a game in hand.
After Cameron Montgomery’s early opener for the champions, Sean Campbell hit a double and James Murray scored two penalties. Mark Webster was on target for Spurs.
Wick Thistle's excellent start to the season continued with a 5-0 win against John O'Groats at the Upper Bignold on Wednesday. Scorers were Darren MacGregor (2), Kyle Henderson and Ross Mackay (2).
Top Joe’s moved up to third in Caithness AFA Division Two after a 4-2 victory over Thurso Pentland at Ormlie on Tuesday night.
Adam Sutherland gave Pentland an early lead with a well-taken header before Joe's equalised through Jack MacGregor. After a defensive mix-up, Andy Adamson punished the hosts with a close-range finish.
Top Joe’s equalised early in the second half with a fine finish from MacGregor. Chris Williamson made it three and Joe’s were on top from there on in. A late penalty from Jordan McLean made the points safe in a hard-fought and often tousy affair.
Darryn Mackay struck twice for second-placed Swifts as they beat Keiss 3-1. Bailey Morrison got the other goal for the Thurso outfit, with Tony Miller scoring for Keiss.
The Watten v Lybster match was postponed as neither of the two possible pitches was playable.
Results – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, quarter-finals: Castletown 0, Wick Groats 1; John O'Groats 6, Top Joe's 1; Lybster 0, Pentland United 6; Wick Thistle 5, Keiss 2.
Division One: Acks 2, Staxigoe United 3; Pentland United 5, High Ormlie Hotspur 1; Wick Groats 6, Castletown 1; Wick Thistle 5, John O'Groats 0.
Division Two: Swifts 3, Keiss 1; Top Joe's 4, Thurso Pentland 2.
Fixtures – Saturday, May 13 – Highland Amateur Cup, first round (north section): Castletown v Lairg Rovers; Golspie Stafford v Invergordon; Inver v Lochinver; Helmsdale United v Staxigoe United; High Ormlie Hotspur v Thurso Acks; Lochbroom v Wick Groats; Thurso Pentland v Keiss; Wick Thistle v Top Joe's (all 3pm).
Tuesday, May 16 – CAFA Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v Acks; John O'Groats v Pentland United. Division Two: Keiss v Swifts; Lybster v Watten (all 7.15pm).
Wednesday, May 17 – Division One: Castletown v Staxigoe United; Wick Groats v Wick Thistle. Division Two: Thurso Pentland v Top Joe's (all 7.15pm).
Saturday, May 20 – Alan Farquhar testimonial: Wick Academy v SPL Legends (2pm).
