Keeper Miller takes credit as second division leaders Lybster get first clean sheet
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Lybster picked up three more points and achieved their first clean sheet of the season with a 2-0 home win against Watten – yet their manager Cameron Mackenzie reckoned it was a below-par display by his promotion-chasing team.
“This was one of our poorer performances this season," Mackenzie said after Lybster came through a nervy, back-and-forth fight in Caithness AFA Division Two on Tuesday night. "We faced more chances and the defence were kept on their toes for the whole game.
"Our goalkeeper Billy Miller undoubtedly got us that clean sheet – he was excellent.”
Lybster took the lead inside 10 minutes when Andrew Sutherland nodded in a rebound from a Lewis Mackillop shot.
Watten pressed for an equaliser but Miller thwarted them, saving two one-on-one opportunities as Lybster held on to their advantage at the break.
Both teams hit the woodwork before Lybster wrapped up the points with five minutes remaining. Mackillop received the ball at the back post from a Bobby Gunn cross before calmly slotting it into the bottom corner.
Watten manager Ben Leonard said: “We conceded two poor goals and had our chances but never took them. It was a better performance than we've had in previous games.”
He added: “It'll be a big bonus once we get our pitches and changing rooms sorted so we can play our games at home. We’ve lost a few big players to injury at the start of the season but once they’re back we hope to get a bit more consistency to push for a play-off spot."
Lybster have now won four out of four in the league as they seek an immediate return to the top flight, but Mackenzie is aware that stiff challenges lie ahead – starting with the trip to take on Swifts on Monday, with the teams currently occupying the top two places in the second division.
"We have a tougher game coming up and we have to raise our game if we want to win,” Mackenzie said.
In the other Division Two fixture on Tuesday night, Keiss and Swifts shared the points in a 3-3 draw.
Bailey Morrison, Kian Mackay and Gary Mackay were on target for the Thurso side, with Keiss replying through Tony Miller, Alan Steven and an own goal.
Results – CAFA Division One: Castletown 2, Staxigoe United 3; High Ormlie Hotspur 3, Acks 1; John O'Groats 1, Pentland United 2; Wick Groats 1, Wick Thistle 1. Division Two: Keiss 3, Swifts 3; Lybster 2, Watten 0; Thurso Pentland 1, Top Joe's 6.
Fixtures: Saturday, May 20 – Alan Farquhar Testimonial: Wick Academy v SPL Legends (2pm).
Monday, May 22 – CAFA Division Two: Keiss v Thurso Pentland; Swifts v Lybster; Watten v Top Joe's (all 7.15pm).
Tuesday, May 23 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, semi-finals: Pentland United v Wick Groats; Wick Thistle v John O'Groats (both 7pm).
Highland Amateur Cup, first round (north section) results: Castletown 2, Lairg Rovers 2 (Castletown won 3-2 on penalties); Golspie Stafford 7, Invergordon 3; Inver 3, Lochinver 2; Helmsdale United 1, Staxigoe United 2; High Ormlie Hotspur 3, Thurso Acks 1; Lochbroom 0, Wick Groats 5; Thurso Pentland 2, Keiss 8; Wick Thistle 3, Top Joe's 0.
Highland Amateur Cup second-round draw: Ardersier v Avoch; Barra v Stromness Athletic; Black Rock Rovers v Back; Castletown v Lerwick Celtic; Clachnacuddin U20 v Stornoway Athletic; Dounby Athletic v Harris; Ferrybache v Inver; Fortrose and Rosemarkie Union v Conon Bridge; Golspie Stafford v Ness United; Keiss v Carloway; Kirkwall Hotspurs v High Ormlie Hotspur; Lerwick Spurs v Gellions; Loch Ness Amateurs v Iochdar Saints; Mallaig v North West Skye; Staxigoe United v Inverness Athletic Amateurs; Wick Groats v Wick Thistle (ties to be played on Saturday, June 3).
