Hotspur, Stabbies and Jags keep up perfect start in county league
Wednesday night’s county league action saw three teams maintain their 100 records across the two divisions.
High Ormlie Hotspur won 4-0 at John O’Groats in Division One, with goals from Kevin Cairns (2), Aaron Wilson and Stuart Campbell.
League champions Pentland United extended their own winning start to the campaign with a 5-1 victory over Keiss at Ham Park.
James Murray’s opener for the Stabbies was cancelled out by Olly Manton. However, the Dunnet side pulled clear with further strikes from Sean Munro, Sam Mackay and Andy Mackay as well as an own goal.
High Ormlie return to John O’Groats this weekend for a Highland Amateur Cup first-round tie, while Pentland United are at home to Top Joe’s.
Wick Thistle kept up their perfect start to the season in Division Two with a 1-0 victory over Thurso Pentland at the Dammies.
The decisive moment came just before the hour mark when substitute Cory Miller set up Craig Gunn, who burst forward and produced a composed finish.
Acks also have a 100 per cent record in the second division.
Thistle now face top-flight Lybster on Saturday in round one of the Highland Amateur Cup.
Manager Owen Harrold missed Wednesday’s match for family reasons.
Thistle chairman Andrew Henderson said: “We have some excellent young players in the squad and it will take time for them to gain the experience needed to play county football.
“The Highland Amateur Cup is one of the highlights of the amateur season and players should want to go as far as they can in the competition.
“Owen and the club have set standards and they expect them to be maintained by the players, but that takes self-belief and discipline from each individual.”
Results – Division One: Castletown 0, Staxigoe United 4; John O’Groats 0, High Ormlie Hotspur 4; Pentland United 5, Keiss 1; Wick Groats 2, Lybster 1. Division Two: Halkirk 2, Acks 3; Swifts 2, Top Joe’s 0; Thurso Pentland 0, Wick Thistle 1.
Fixtures – Saturday, May 10 – Highland Amateur Cup, north section, first round (3pm unless otherwise stated): Halkirk v Lochbroom (2pm); Helmsdale United v Wick Groats; Inver v Dornoch City; John O’Groats v High Ormlie Hotspur; Pentland United v Top Joe’s; Staxigoe United v Brora Wanderers (12.30pm); Thurso Acks v Lochinver; Watten v Thurso Pentland; Wick Thistle v Lybster (4pm).
Tuesday, May 13 – Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v Pentland United; Keiss v Wick Groats; Lybster v Castletown; Staxigoe United v John O’Groats (7.15pm).
