Pentland United will have to be at their best in cup clash with Thorfinn, says co-manager Gray
Co-manager Michael Gray believes Pentland United will have to be at their best if they are to make it through to the next stage of the Highland Amateur Cup at the expense of Kirkwall Thorfinn.
The teams meet at Ham Park on Saturday in the second round of the tournament. The Stabbies have won it a record eight times, while their Orcadian visitors have lifted the trophy twice.
United warmed up for the tie with a 5-0 victory over Acks at the Dammies on Tuesday night in Caithness AFA Division One, all the goals coming in the second half.
Conor Cormack was the star of the show with a hat-trick as the Dunnet men went to the top of the table on goal difference.
Gray said: "Thorfinn arrive with a terrific pedigree, not only in Orkney but in the Highland Amateur Cup, and we have met on quite a few occasions in recent times. Rarely has there been much to separate the sides.
"On Saturday we are fully expecting another tough test, which is going to require us to be at our best in order to progress.
"You know in this competition that if you want to be successful you will have to overcome some really good sides and that’s what makes it special, challenging yourselves against the best teams from all around the north."
The breakthrough in Tuesday's match came when a corner by Cormack picked out Sean Munro at the far post and he bulleted the ball home.
United doubled their lead with Cormack showing great composure to flick the ball over the advancing Ryan Bain.
On the hour mark Cormack ghosted past a couple of defenders before unleashing a rocket shot from 25 yards that went in via the fingertips of Bain and the underside of the crossbar.
The winger completed his treble with another spectacular effort, again after drifting past a couple of opponents. This time Bain could only watch as the ball nestled in the net.
Marc Macgregor completed the scoring with a volley.
Gray said: "In the first period I thought we were a bit laboured in our approach, slowing the game down unnecessarily and again lacking composure at the crucial times. But to be fair, Acks were well organised and have experience right through the core of their team, so they were making us work for every opening.
"The first goal came from another super delivery by Conor Cormack, but Sean Munro is tremendous at attacking the ball in that situation in both boxes.
"After that we got into gear and Conor’s three finishes were worthy of winning any game. The first one was a great run, well picked out by Conor Trueman, but he still had a lot to do and showed great awareness.
"His second and third goals were just terrific strikes. We are really pleased with the result, the goals and another clean sheet."
The Highland Amateur Cup holders, Wick Groats, also face a tricky-looking assignment on Saturday as they travel to the Highland capital to meet Loch Ness.
Manager Kevin Anderson went to watch them last week and knows they will be formidable opponents.
"They will be very tough," he said. "They're a very good North Caley team and led for maybe 90 per cent of the season.
"They've got a couple of Highland League guys that are helping them out so I'm assuming they will be there on Saturday.
"We have four or five boys away at a concert but we'll be strong, we'll have a good squad. It means other guys get a chance to claim shirts.
"The Highland Amateur Cup is always a good day out and to win it is some achievement. That's our aim. We'll be trying our best."
Fixtures – Saturday, June 4 – Highland Amateur Cup, round two (ties involving Caithness clubs): High Ormlie Hotspur v Lochinver (3pm); Loch Ness v Wick Groats (3pm); Pentland United v Kirkwall Thorfinn (2pm); Staxigoe United v Lochbroom (noon); Watten v Iochdar Saints (Bught Park, Inverness, 2pm); Wick Thistle v Ardersier (3pm).
Tuesday, June 7 – Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-finals: John O'Groats v Pentland United; Staxigoe United v Top Joe's (both 7.15pm).
Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, quarter-final: Castletown v Wick Groats (7.15pm).