John O'Groats pegged back in 10-goal Friendly League thriller
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Two late strikes by Golspie Stafford earned them a draw in a 10-goal thriller with John O'Groats on Saturday in the latest round of Friendly League fixtures.
After an even start with chances for both teams, Golspie's Gary Mackenzie opened the scoring after a defensive mix-up.
The Sutherland side extended their lead with goals from Gary Pullen and Cameron Sutherland but JOG fought back with a free kick from Marc Macgregor before Martin Sinclair reduced the deficit further.
Grant Budge scored on the stroke of half-time to make it 3-3.
John O'Groats started strongly in the second period and Macgregor completed his hat-trick to put them 5-3 up. Saleem Bremner had a chance from the spot to add a sixth but skiffed the bar with his effort.
Golspie hit back with two goals in the last five minutes from Alfie Mackay and Sam Mackay to ensure it finished all square.
Jack McKechnie hit a hat-trick in Castletown's 6-2 home win against Keiss.
Castletown took charge with two quick goals, courtesy of Shane Kennedy and Kris Campbell. Keiss reduced the deficit just before half-time through Lewis Shepherd but Castletown dominated possession after the break and McKechnie scored twice – a penalty followed by a great free kick.
Shepherd pulled one back with his second of the match. Castletown then subbed on former Wick Academy boss Tom McKenna for the final 10 minutes and he helped them close the game out with further goals from Morgan Coghill and then McKechnie to complete his treble.
Lybster were 4-1 winners against Helmsdale following an early double from Jonah Martens.
Lybster started strongly and went two up within 10 minutes.
The first came after a clearance went straight to Bobby Gunn. He flicked the ball through to Martens, and he dribbled into the box and smashed it into the top left corner.
Martens then got on the end of Gary Swanson's ball over the top of the defence before volleying it over the keeper.
Helmsdale pulled one back soon after when Ally Macrae was left unmarked at the back post and he smashed the ball across the keeper into the net.
Lybster regained their two-goal advantage before half-time when Sam Barclay chipped the ball into the net from 30 yards after beating a defender to a short pass from the Helmsdale keeper.
The Caithness side completed the scoring midway through the second period when Gunn passed to Ben Sinclair on the edge of the box and he skipped past a defender before curling a left-foot shot into the far corner.
The Friendly League – featuring six village clubs from Caithness and two teams from east Sutherland – was set up after the summer amateur leagues in the two counties were cancelled.
