Jags stay on course for possible second division trophy double
Wick Thistle remain on course for a potential second division trophy double after cruising through to the last four of the Steven Cup with an 11-0 aggregate victory over Swifts.
The Jags were 6-0 winners in the first leg in Wick on Friday and they scored five without reply in Tuesday’s second leg at the Dammies.
It was the fourth meeting between the teams in 13 days and Swifts, who were seriously under-strength for this week's tie, will be glad to have seen the back of Thistle for a while.
First-half doubles by Sam Barclay and Morgan Kennedy put the visitors four up at the break. Barclay completed his hat-trick just before the hour mark.
The Jags are already assured of promotion after sealing the Division Two title at the start of this month. Their semi-final opponents in the Steven Cup are Watten, with the first leg this Friday and the next on Wednesday.
Shane Honeyman scored the only goal for Watten in the second leg of their quarter-final against the holders, Acks, sending the village outfit through on a 4-3 aggregate score.
Halkirk will meet Thurso Pentland in the other semi. Pentland completed a 9-1 aggregate victory over Top Joe’s on Monday, while Halkirk received a bye.
Their first leg is this Friday with the second leg on Thursday.
The only league fixture on Tuesday night was in Division One, with Castletown staging an impressive recovery to earn a 3-3 draw with Staxigoe United in Wick.
Bryan Reid (2) and Grant MacNab looked to have put Staxigoe well in charge but Castletown fought back with goals by Jack MacGregor, Jack McKechnie and Benn Murray.
Results – Friday – Steven Cup quarter-finals, first leg: Acks 3, Watten 3; Top Joe’s 1, Thurso Pentland 3; Wick Thistle 6, Swifts 0.
Saturday – Highland Amateur Cup quarter-final: High Ormlie Hotspur 1, Maryburgh 4.
Sunday – SWF Highlands and Islands League: Buckie 4, Caithness 0.
Monday – Steven Cup quarter-final, second leg: Thurso Pentland 6, Top Joe’s 0 (9-1 on aggregate).
Tuesday – Steven Cup quarter-finals, second leg: Swifts 0, Wick Thistle 5 (aggregate 0-11); Watten 1, Acks 0 (aggregate 4-3). Division One: Staxigoe United 3, Castletown 3.
Fixtures – Wednesday, July 16 – Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v John O’Groats; Keiss v Pentland United; Lybster v Wick Groats (all 7.30pm). Friendly: Wick Academy v Inverness Caledonian Thistle (7pm, Harmsworth Park).
Friday, July 18 – Steven Cup semi-finals, first leg: Halkirk v Thurso Pentland; Wick Thistle v Watten (both 7.15pm). Division One: Lybster v John O’Groats (7.30pm).
Saturday, July 19 – Friendly: Wick Academy v Ross County XI (1pm).
CAFA standings – Division One: 1 Pentland United (played 10, points 28); 2 Wick Groats (10, 22); 3 High Ormlie Hotspur (10, 22); 4 Staxigoe United (11, 15); 5 Lybster (9, 12); 6 John O’Groats (9, 8); 7 Castletown (11, 5); 8 Keiss (10, 3).
Division Two: 1 Wick Thistle (played 10, points 30); 2 Thurso Pentland (10, 19); 3 Acks (9, 15); 4 Watten (10, 11); 5 Halkirk (9, 8); 6 Swifts (9, 6); 7 Top Joe’s (9, 0). Halkirk deducted six points for playing an ineligible player in two league fixtures.
SWF Highlands and Islands League standings: 1 Buckie (played 7, points 21); 2 Caithness (8, 15); 3 Clachnacuddin (7, 12); 4 Orkney (7, 12); 5 Sutherland (7, 6); 6 Nairn St Ninian (8, 0).