Pentland United will be cup final favourites but Castletown can rise to challenge
The second piece of silverware of the Caithness summer season will be at stake on Saturday when Castletown take on Pentland United in the Eain Mackintosh Cup final.
Recreation Park in Halkirk is the venue for the Dunnet Bay derby, with an over-35s versus under-35s challenge match prior to the final and live music afterwards.
United, who are well placed to secure back-to-back county league titles and are looking to retain the Highland Amateur Cup, will be seen as firm favourites. However, Castletown will believe they are more than capable of rising to the occasion in their second final of the season, having been Stannergill Cup runners-up a month ago.
When the sides met at Ham Park on the opening night of the league campaign, the Stabbies needed a stoppage-time goal to seal a 2-1 win.
The teams have had contrasting routes to the Eain Mackintosh Cup final, with the Dunnet side having overcome three top-flight teams while Castletown’s opponents so far have all been from the second division.
United played with 10 men for 90 minutes, including extra time, in their first-round tie against Wick Groats at Ham Park, progressing 4-3 on penalties after the game ended 2-2.
In the quarter-finals they won 3-0 at home to Staxigoe United, then in the last four they thumped the holders High Ormlie Hotspur 5-1, also at Ham Park.
Castletown began with a 4-1 victory over Swifts at the Dammies. In the quarter-finals they twice came from behind to run out 6-2 winners against Wick Thistle at Back Park, then booked their place in the final with a 2-1 victory over Halkirk at Recreation Park.
The final kicks off at 3pm. Before that, starting at 11.30am, there will be an 11-a-side over-35s v under-35s match featuring the Mackintosh family and friends.
The draw will be made for the Eain Mackintosh 40th anniversary raffle, with proceeds going to Macmillan nurses, the Couthie Corner in Thurso and Halkirk FC juniors. First prize is £500, donated by Halkirk FC, and second prize is a two-night stay at Glengolly Getaways, donated by the Mackintosh family.
There will be food available and a licensed bar, with live music from Greg Thomson following the post-match presentations.
Pentland United kept their title bid on course with a 5-1 victory over Staxigoe United at the Upper Bignold on Tuesday, while Castletown lost by the same score at home to Wick Groats.
Sean Campbell (2), Allan Munro, James Murray and Sam Mackay scored for the Stabbies, with Matthew Aitkenhead on target for Staxigoe.
Liam Bremner hit a hat-trick for Wick Groats and their other goals came from Ross Davidson and Alan Mathieson. Jack McKechnie scored for Castletown.
There was a treble for Kuba Koziol in High Ormlie Hotspur’s 6-3 win at home to Keiss. Mark Munro, Mark Webster (penalty) and William Cannop got the others for High Ormlie, with Keiss replying through James Robertson, Murray Mackay and Lee Oman.
Wednesday’s scheduled Lybster v John O’Groats match was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
Second division leaders Wick Thistle hit the goal trail again on Monday night, this time hammering bottom club Top Joe’s 9-0 at a rain-lashed Upper Bignold.
It brought the Jags’ goal tally to 19 in three games over a six-day spell as they showed no ill-effects from fixture congestion. This time there was a hat-trick for Ryan Reid, including a penalty.
Second-placed Thurso Pentland came from behind to win 3-1 against Watten at the Dammies.
There was a double for Callum Musgrave as Halkirk thumped Swifts 6-0 at Recreation Park.
Results – Friday – Eain Mackintosh Cup semi-finals: Halkirk 1, Castletown 2; Pentland United 5, High Ormlie Hotspur 1. Division Two: Acks 1, Wick Thistle 5.
Saturday – Friendly: Orkney 1, Wick Academy 2.
Sunday – SWF Highlands and Islands League: Clachnacuddin 1, Caithness 6.
Monday – Division Two: Halkirk 6, Swifts 0; Thurso Pentland 3, Watten 1; Wick Thistle 9, Top Joe’s 0.
Tuesday – Division One: Castletown 1, Wick Groats 5; High Ormlie Hotspur 6, Keiss 3; Staxigoe United 1, Pentland United 5.
Fixtures – Thursday, July 3 – Division Two: Thurso Pentland v Halkirk; Wick Thistle v Swifts (both 7.30pm).
Friday, July 4 – Division Two: Acks v Watten (7.30pm). Friendly: Wick Academy v Inverness Caledonian Thistle U19 (Upper Bignold, 7.30pm).
Saturday, July 5 – Eain Mackintosh Cup final: Castletown v Pentland United (Recreation Park, Halkirk, 3pm).
Tuesday, July 8 – David Allan Shield, round one: Acks v High Ormlie Hotspur; Pentland United v Thurso Pentland; Watten v Top Joe’s; Wick Thistle v Swifts (all 7.15pm).
Wednesday, July 9 – David Allan Shield, round one: Halkirk v Wick Groats; Lybster v John O’Groats; Staxigoe United v Castletown (all 7.15pm).
CAFA standings – Division One: 1 Pentland United (played 10, points 28); 2 Wick Groats (10, 22); 3 High Ormlie Hotspur (10, 22); 4 Staxigoe United (10, 14); 5 Lybster (9, 12); 6 John O’Groats (9, 8); 7 Castletown (10, 4); 8 Keiss (10, 3).
Division Two: 1 Wick Thistle (played 9, points 27); 2 Thurso Pentland (9, 19); 3 Acks (8, 15); 4 Watten (9, 8); 5 Swifts (8, 6); 6 Halkirk (8, 5); 7 Top Joe’s (9, 0). Halkirk deducted six points for playing an ineligible player in two league fixtures.
SWF Highlands and Islands League standings: 1 Buckie (played 6, points 18); 2 Caithness (7, 15); 3 Clachnacuddin (7, 12); 4 Orkney (6, 9); 5 Sutherland (7, 6); 6 Nairn St Ninian (7, 0).