Highland Amateur Cup last-16 draw throws up two all-Caithness ties
Round three of the Highland Amateur Cup will feature two all-Caithness ties after the county’s four surviving clubs were paired together in the last-16 draw.
Pentland United, Lybster, High Ormlie Hotspur and Wick Groats banged in 24 goals between them on Saturday against opposition from Shetland, Orkney and Lochaber, while two other Caithness sides – Halkirk and Wick Thistle – bowed out of the competition.
Pentland United, record eight-times winners of the tournament, will be at home to Lybster in the next round at the end of this month.
Wick Groats, who have won the Highland Amateur Cup four times in the last 11 years and were beaten finalists in 2023, are away to the 2022 winners High Ormlie Hotspur.
Pentland United had a runaway 11-0 victory over Shetland side North Isles at Ham Park.
Sean Campbell got a hat-trick, as did James Murray, including a last-minute penalty that took his tally for the season to 19 in all competitions. The other goals came from Sean Munro, Andrew Brims (2), Luke Manson and Conor Trueman.
Co-manager Michael Gray said: “We played well, scored some good goals and managed to get minutes under the belts of several players who are returning to fitness. Michael Steven, Conor Cormack, Allan Munro and Conor Trueman all came through the game and are now getting stronger, which will help the depth of our squad.
“We moved the ball nice and sharp, we had good variations between playing through the lines and also going a little more direct at times, so all in all very few complaints at all.
“However, I think I should also pay tribute to North Isles. The commitment shown to get down here is extraordinary. Their attitude on the park was first class – they constantly encouraged each other, and they worked their socks off throughout.
“It was a really youthful group as well who I am sure will only get better with time, so I think I can speak for all at Pentland United when I say they have our utmost respect for the dedication shown to participate in the competition. We wish them well for their season.
“We now move on to more familiar opposition in the form of Lybster who had a terrific result [5-4] against Lerwick Thistle. At this stage of the competition, just getting a home draw is about as much as you can ask – but we are under no illusions that we will need to produce on the day if we want to progress.
“We know Lybster have a good blend of experience and youth, and clearly they have goals in abundance in their group. Cameron Mackenzie continues to do a great job at Lybster, and I am sure he and his team will be relishing the opportunity to lock horns with us on the 29th.”
Wick Groats eased through with a 6-1 win against Fort William’s reserve side. Ben Sinclair scored twice for last season’s runners-up with the others coming from Greg Shearer, Steven Anderson, Michael Steven and Ellis Alexander.
Wick Groats manager Kevin Anderson said: “Fort William were mainly quite a young team with a few older experienced heads. They were well organised and worked very hard.
“I felt we played really well, though. We controlled most of the game, scored some really good goals, and on another day could have added some more.
“We have another really tough tie against High Ormlie Hotspur in the next round but it’s one that we are all very much looking forward to. There has been very little between the teams this season – we’ve drawn 1-1, we’ve beaten them 3-0 and they’ve beaten us 2-0.
“I’m sure it’ll be another cracking game.”
Bobby Gunn struck twice and Alan Steven, Andrew Plowman and Lewis Mackillop were also on target in Lybster’s nine-goal thriller against Lerwick Thistle in Stromness.
Lybster manager Cameron Mackenzie said: “We just focused on ourselves, had confidence and belief, and that’s what saw us through.
“The morale from everyone was fantastic, and it was great to see a decent support come over to watch us – that was greatly appreciated.
“Full credit to every single one of the players, it was completely deserved.”
Liam Bain and Mark Munro scored for High Ormlie as they came from behind to win 2-1 away to Kirkwall Thorfinn.
Results – CAFA Division One: John O’Groats 0, Staxigoe United 1. Division Two: Keiss 2, Acks 3.
Highland Amateur Cup, second round (ties involving Caithness clubs): Fort William 1, Wick Groats 6; Halkirk 1, Stornoway Athletic 3 (in Ullapool); Kirkwall Thorfinn 1, High Ormlie Hotspur 2; Lerwick Thistle 4, Lybster 5 (in Stromness); Pentland United 11, North Isles 0; Wick Thistle 1, Sleat and Strath 2.
Fixtures – Tuesday, June 4 – Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-finals: Acks v Staxigoe United; Pentland United v High Ormlie Hotspur. First round (rearranged): Top Joe’s v Halkirk (all 7.15pm).
Thursday, June 6 – Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-final: Swifts v Lybster (7.15pm).
Friday, June 7 – CAFA Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v Castletown; Wick Thistle v Staxigoe United (both 7.30pm).
Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-final: Top Joe’s or Halkirk v Watten (7.15pm).
Saturday, June 8 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup final: Pentland United v Wick Groats (at Castletown, 3pm).
Highland Amateur Cup third-round draw (ties to be played on Saturday, June 29): Black Rock v Culbokie; High Ormlie Hotspur v Wick Groats; Maryburgh v Avoch; Pentland United v Lybster; Rendall v Ness; Stornoway Athletic v Inverness Athletic; Stromness Athletic v Helmsdale United; Tomatin United v Sleat and Strath.
Highland Amateur Cup quarter-finals (ties to be played on Saturday, July 13): High Ormlie Hotspur or Wick Groats v Black Rock or Culbokie; Pentland United or Lybster v Rendall or Ness; Stornoway Athletic or Inverness Athletic v Stromness Athletic or Helmsdale United; Tomatin United or Sleat and Strath v Maryburgh or Avoch.