High Ormlie Hotspur players ready for latest big occasion
High Ormlie Hotspur's players relish big occasions – and they have another one coming up this weekend as they take on Wick Groats in the final of the David Allan Shield.
Hotspur have had some notable successes on Saturdays over the past year or so, including the 2022 Highland Amateur Cup final shoot-out triumph against Pentland United in Wick and last month's 6-0 victory over Groats in the Eain Mackintosh Cup final at Halkirk.
Back Park in Castletown is the venue for Saturday's David Allan Shield final. That was the ground where High Ormlie got the better of Groats in their Highland Amateur Cup semi-final a year ago.
High Ormlie co-manager Liam Sutherland said: "Everyone is looking forward to it, as they always are when big games come around.
"The boys absolutely love the Saturday games – Highland Amateur Cup ties, cup finals. They love the kind of occasion that comes with it.
"We'll be as strong as we can be. We'll have one or two missing.
"Ryan Sutherland is suspended this weekend but we have boys that will be able to slot in."
Hotspur and Staxigoe United remain level on points in the battle to finish third in Caithness AFA Division One after drawing 2-2 at Ormlie on Tuesday night.
Stuart Campbell gave the home side a first-half lead, but Staxigoe hit back after the break with goals from Morgan Kennedy and Murray Mackay. Aidan Reid scored a header from a corner in the closing stages to ensure a share of the points.
Meanwhile, the first Caithness derby of the new North Caledonian League season has been postponed until Wednesday, August 23. Halkirk United and Thurso had been due to meet this Saturday on the opening day of the 2023/24 campaign.