McElroy insists there’s plenty more to come from High Ormlie Hotspur
Co-manager Ewan McElroy believes there is plenty more to come from High Ormlie Hotspur as they prepare for two big cup ties within the space of a few days.
Fresh from an 8-2 demolition of Wick Thistle in Caithness AFA Division One, Hotspur face Wick Groats at home in the Eain Mackintosh Cup on Tuesday before a trip to Orkney on Saturday for a Highland Amateur Cup clash with Kirkwall Thorfinn.
Before the Thistle game at Ormlie on Friday night, High Ormlie had suffered back-to-back defeats against Wick Groats in the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup semi-finals and Pentland United in the league.
“After the last couple results it was important to get back to winning ways,” McElroy said. “It was an emphatic performance from the squad against a young but well-organised Wick Thistle side.
“Although the previous two matches have ended in defeat, the boys have actually played some good football and are trying to do the right thing. Their only issue has been that it’s been a little stop-start and not for the duration of the 90 minutes.
“It’s still a relatively young squad, and although there are some experienced players involved I think there is still plenty more to come from this group.
“The team have two hugely challenging games coming up with Wick Groats in the Eain Mackintosh Cup and then an experienced Kirkwall Thorfinn in the Highland Amateur Cup.
“They don’t get much more difficult than that, but as a squad the boys are already eager to get going again and the manner of Friday’s win should act as a boost in terms of confidence and belief moving forward.”
Liam Bain’s opener for High Ormlie was cancelled out by Sam Barclay’s strike for Thistle. Colin Henstridge then put Jags in front from the penalty spot but Hotspur regained the upper hand with goals from Kieran MacGregor and Mark Munro before half-time.
There was no way back for Thistle as the home side added five goals in the second period. Aidan Reid, James Mackintosh and Aaron McNicol were on target before MacGregor and Bain each completed their doubles.
Wick Groats took over top spot after a hard-fought 3-2 win at John O’Groats.
Callum Cooke’s opener was instantly cancelled out by Alfie Miller. Groats were ahead at half-time through Korbyn Cameron.
Stewart Ross extended their lead before Cooke reduced the deficit late on with his second of the night.
Staxigoe United came back from two down to earn a creditable 2-2 draw at home to Pentland United.
Andrew Brims struck twice for the Stabbies but Staxigoe pulled one back with a Graham MacNab penalty and Matthew Aitkenhead got the equaliser.
Results – CAFA Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur 8, Wick Thistle 2; John O’Groats 2, Wick Groats 3; Staxigoe United 2, Pentland United 2.
Division Two: Acks 2, Pentland 1; Halkirk 2, Watten 1; Keiss 6, Swifts 0.
Fixtures – Tuesday, May 28 – Eain Mackintosh Cup, first round: Castletown v Pentland United; High Ormlie Hotspur v Wick Groats; Keiss v Lybster; Swifts v John O’Groats; Wick Thistle v Staxigoe United (all 7.15pm).
Wednesday, May 29 – Eain Mackintosh Cup, first round: Top Joe’s v Halkirk; Watten v Pentland (both 7.15pm). Acks have a bye.
Friday, May 31 – Division One: John O’Groats v Staxigoe United. Division Two: Keiss v Acks (both 7.30pm).
Saturday, June 1 – Highland Amateur Cup, second round (ties involving Caithness clubs): Fort William v Wick Groats; Halkirk v Stornoway Athletic (in Ullapool); Kirkwall Thorfinn v High Ormlie Hotspur; Lerwick Thistle v Lybster (in Stromness); Pentland United v North Isles; Wick Thistle v Sleat and Strath.
