Pentland march on with a fine five in cup
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PENTLAND United booked their place in the last 16 of the Highland Amateur Cup with an impressive 5-2 victory against Kirkwall Rovers.
United’s Shaun Forbes was an early casualty in this no-holds-barred tie at Kirkwall’s Bignold Park.
He suffered a nasty head knock but bravely carried on after being heavily bandaged.
The seven-times winners of the coveted trophy produced the perfect response with the opening goal in the eighth minute.
There was a slice of luck about the goal. Following a short corner, Martin Ross’s shot was parried by the Rovers goalkeeper but the ball ricocheted off a defender and into the net.
United doubled their lead after they were awarded a penalty when Sean Campbell was felled in the box while attempting to lob the keeper. Gary Manson stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards.
It was 3-0 on the half-hour mark when Campbell found the back of the net with a snap shot from just outside the 18-yard box.
But Rovers hit back before the break when Adam Stanger broke into the United box to score.
The goal gave the home side a much-needed lift and they upped their game for a spell.
But it was United who restored their three-goal lead in a counter-attack in the 55th minute. James Murray found the back of the net after good work from Conor Cormack.
Rovers refused to lie down and Connan Rendall reduced the deficit 10 minutes later.
But Michael Petrie scored a killer fifth goal for United shortly afterwards to secure the win, although United were under the cosh for the last 10 minutes after Marc Begg was sent off for a late tackle.
Pentland co-manager Michael Gray was delighted to get through what looked on paper to be a tough draw. He said: “The scoreline maybe flattered us but I think we were worthy winners – we played some good stuff, especially in the wide areas.”
“We’re delighted to get five goals away from home.”
Wick Thistle ran out of steam in a 2-1 defeat against Kirkwall Thorfinn at Upper Bignold.
Stevie Reid finished off a neat move to score the only goal of the first half to give Thistle the edge.
But Thorfinn hit back late in the tie when Thorfinn Stout scored twice in as many minutes.
Thurso Pentland were beaten 5-1 by Tomatin at Sir George’s Park.
Donnie MacIver gave the Inverness-based side the lead in the 15th minute when he got on the end of a Peter Fraser cross to drill the ball home from 15 yards.
Tomatin forward Luke Mackay scored the first of his four goals in the 35th minute to give Tomatin a 2-0 interval lead.
Mackay scored three more times after the break before Lee Elder scored a late consolation for the home side.
Highland Amateur Cup (sponsored by Gow’s Lybster) third round – Ties to be played on Saturday, June 23: Kirkwall Thorfinn v Lochinver; Maryburgh v John O’Groats; Avoch v Lochs; Tomatin v Stornoway Athletic; Lairg Rovers v Contin; Lerwick Spurs v Staxigoe United; Loch Ness v Westside; Pentland United v Bellmac.
Meanwhile, Castletown took over top spot in CAFA Division Two with a 4-2 win against High Ormlie Hotspur on Monday night. Chris Sutherland and Michael Smith both struck doubles for Castletown, with Kevin Treasurer and Euan Munro netting twice for Hotspur.
In the other game, Thurso Pentland were 4-3 winners against Keiss.
