Lybster win proves we can compete with the best, says manager Mackenzie
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Lybster manager Cameron Mackenzie insists Tuesday night's Colin Macleod Memorial Cup first-round victory over High Ormlie Hotspur proves that his promotion-chasing side can compete with the top teams in the county.
Goals from top scorer Lewis Mackillop (penalty), Robbie Mcivor and Andrew Sutherland gave Lybster a 3-1 victory over the Highland Amateur Cup holders at Morrison Park. Mark Webster replied for first division Hotspur, who were reduced to 10 men after Rob McLean was dismissed.
Mackenzie was ecstatic at the final whistle. He said: “Our approach was slightly hindered due to missing a couple of starters, including both our keepers. Well done to Alfie Mackay, usually one of our wingers, who stood in brilliantly.
"This win has only confirmed what I already knew about this team – we are capable of competing right up with the top teams. We’ve got a way to go yet but I hope this win has now firmly instilled into the players' heads how good we can be if we stick together and keep building."
Lybster, relegated last season, have won three out of three in the league as they seek an instant return to the top flight and now they have a cup quarter-final at home to Pentland United on Saturday.
Tuesday's result means High Ormlie have lost three games in a row since knocking Pentland United out of the Highland Amateur Cup last month.
Hotspur co-manager Liam Sutherland admitted: “We never really got going at all, which is frustrating, but we can’t look back on it. We just have to get our heads up and make sure we’re ready for the next game.
“There’s a lot left to play for this season. There will be a lot of teams taking points off each other in the league, which will make for an exciting season.
"We just have to make sure we pick up as many points as possible and try to challenge in all the remaining cup competitions.”
Mackillop put Lybster ahead from the spot after Sutherland had been brought down in the box.
Webster quickly equalised with a rocket shot from a free kick on the edge of the area, but the visitors regained the lead when Bobby Gunn found space on the right flank and his cutback was blasted in by Mcivor.
Midway through the second half Gunn contributed his second assist of the night with a perfectly weighted through ball to Sutherland who slotted it into the bottom corner.
McLean was sent off for a foul to prevent a Lybster counter-attack.
Hotspur are fifth in Division One, with four points from four league games, and are away to Pentland United next week.
Results – Caithness AFA Division One: Castletown 1, Acks 1; High Ormlie Hotspur 2, Wick Thistle 3; Staxigoe United 0, Pentland United 1.
Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, first round: Castletown 3, Swifts 1; High Ormlie Hotspur 1, Lybster 3; Pentland United 5, Staxigoe United 1; Thurso Pentland 0, Wick Thistle 15; Watten 1, Keiss 2 (AET); Wick Groats 5, Acks 0.
Fixtures – Saturday, May 6 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup quarter-finals: Castletown v Wick Groats; John O'Groats v Top Joe's; Lybster v Pentland United; Wick Thistle v Keiss (all 3pm).
Tuesday, May 9 – Division One: Acks v Staxigoe United; Wick Groats v Castletown. Division Two: Top Joe's v Thurso Pentland; Watten v Lybster (all 7pm).
Wednesday, May 10 – Division One: Pentland United v High Ormlie Hotspur; Wick Thistle v John O'Groats. Division Two: Swifts v Keiss (all 7pm).
