McKenna expecting another close encounter in Archer Shield match
Manager Tom McKenna has declared it is “an honour and a privilege” to represent Caithness as he and his coaching team prepare the county select for Saturday’s Archer Shield match against Orkney.
The annual inter-county clash takes place in Castletown with a 2pm kick-off and a licensed bar will be available.
The Archer Shield was first contested in 1935 and Caithness AFA will be looking to regain the trophy, having lost 2-1 in Stromness last year.
In 2022, a penalty by Andy Mackay was enough to give Caithness a 1-0 victory in Thurso.
McKenna, the Castletown manager, is being assisted by Alan Sinclair (Wick Groats) and Graeme Sutherland (Thurso Swifts). The squad is made up of players from Castletown, Staxigoe United, Wick Thistle, Wick Groats, Pentland United, High Ormlie Hotspur, Thurso Swifts and Top Joe’s.
“I have selected players, first and foremost, that are of a very good quality, and secondly have shown a loyalty to this fixture and the Caithness team over the past two seasons,” McKenna said. “Like myself, these players obviously feel it’s an honour and a privilege to represent the county.
“My experience in these games indicates a very competitive game where only one goal has separated the teams. Again for Saturday’s fixture I anticipate another close contest.
“I would like to thank the relevant clubs for allowing their players to participate in the game, Alan, Graeme and the players for giving up their time, and Caithness AFA for asking me again to be part of this prestigious event.”
Pentland United re-established their four-point lead at the top of Caithness AFA Division One, with three league fixtures remaining, after they came from behind to beat Staxigoe United 4-1 at Ham Park on Wednesday night.
Grant MacNab gave Staxigoe the lead but a double from Sean Munro turned things round for the title-chasing Stabbies, with Sean Campbell and Scott Davidson adding further goals.
Two wins from their remaining fixtures against Lybster, Wick Groats and John O’Groats would be enough to bring the first division trophy back to Dunnet.
Wick Thistle remain in bottom spot after being beaten 3-1 at home by third-placed High Ormlie Hotspur.
Kieran MacGregor, Ethan Kevill and James Mackintosh were on target for Hotspur before Thistle’s Scott Durrand pulled one back.
The David Allan Shield quarter-final between Wick Groats and John O’Groats has been brought forward to Thursday, July 25.
Results – Highland Amateur Cup, quarter-finals: High Ormlie Hotspur 3, Black Rock Rovers 1; Pentland United 2, Ness 1; Sleat and Strath 2, Avoch 3; Stornoway Athletic 4, Helmsdale United 0.
Steven Cup, quarter-finals, second leg: Keiss 1, Watten 0 (Keiss win 4-3 on aggregate); Swifts 0, Halkirk 3 (Halkirk win 4-1 on aggregate); Top Joe’s 2, Acks 3 (Acks win 5-3 on aggregate).
CAFA Division One: Lybster 2, Castletown 2; Pentland United 4, Staxigoe United 1; Wick Groats 3, John O’Groats 0; Wick Thistle 1, High Ormlie Hotspur 3.
Fixtures – Thursday, July 18 – Steven Cup, semi-final, first leg: Acks v Pentland (7.15pm).
Friday, July 19 – Steven Cup, semi-final, first leg: Halkirk v Keiss (7.15pm).
Saturday, July 20 – Archer Shield: Caithness v Orkney (Castletown, 2pm).
Tuesday, July 23 – CAFA Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v Wick Groats; John O’Groats v Castletown; Lybster v Pentland United; Staxigoe United v Wick Thistle (all 7.15pm).
Wednesday, July 24 – Steven Cup, semi-finals, second leg: Keiss v Halkirk; Pentland v Acks (both 7pm).
Thursday, July 25 – David Allan Shield, quarter-final: Wick Groats v John O’Groats (7pm).
Friday, July 26 – David Allan Shield, quarter-finals: Staxigoe United v High Ormlie Hotspur (at Lybster); Swifts v Keiss; Wick Thistle v Pentland United (all 7pm).
