Pentland United won’t be taking their eye off the ball
Pentland United are potentially one game away from becoming county league champions – and co-manager Michael Gray insists the Stabbies won’t be taking their eye off the ball as they pursue silverware on three fronts.
United came from behind to beat Lybster 5-1 at Cow Park on Tuesday night and one point against their closest challengers Wick Groats on Tuesday, August 6, would be enough to take the Caithness AFA Division One trophy back to Dunnet.
Before then, they have a David Allan Shield quarter-final against Wick Thistle this Friday and a Highland Amateur Cup semi-final versus Stornoway Athletic on Saturday, August 3.
The Stabbies won the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup last month.
Gray said after the win at Lybster: “We’re into the nitty-gritty now, so we’ll go to Wick in a couple of weeks’ time with an opportunity to win it there. But obviously before that we’ve got the David Allan Shield encounter against Thistle, who have impressed me with their raw energy.
“They’ve got a youthful enthusiasm and they’ve bothered us, so I think we’ll need to be at it again on Friday night if we want to progress in that cup.
“When you’re doing well you want to keep it going, you don’t want to start taking your eye off the ball or prioritising trophies. We want to get to another final and we’ll certainly be putting all our efforts into doing that.”
Four-goal James Murray took centre stage for United in midweek. Bobby Gunn gave Lybster an early lead, but Ross Allan equalised and Murray put the Stabbies ahead from the penalty spot just before half-time.
After the break Murray fired in a first-time shot from a Conor Cormack delivery. Cormack soon produced another assist as his corner was nodded in by Murray, who went on to round off the scoring with a close-range finish in the aftermath of another corner.
Gray said: “It was always going to be a tricky encounter. Fair credit to Lybster – they were missing two or three bodies but they never gave in.
“I said to Cameron Mackenzie [Lybster manager] after the game I thought his team were really well organised, really disciplined, they had a really good shape. They never stopped.
“That kind of attitude and that kind of discipline will stand them in good stead for the rest of the season.”
Thistle remain at the foot of the table after losing 2-1 to Staxigoe United. Bryan Reid and Grant Aitkenhead scored for Staxigoe, with Owen Klimas on target for the Jags.
Castletown were 4-1 winners over John O’Groats at Folke Park. Castletown’s scorers were Dylan Alexander, Michael Smith and Connor Macleod with a double, while Jordan Howden netted from the penalty spot for the home side.
Results – Archer Shield: Caithness 1, Orkney 2.
CAFA Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur 0, Wick Groats 2; John O’Groats 1, Castletown 4; Lybster 1, Pentland United 5; Staxigoe United 2, Wick Thistle 1.
Fixtures – Wednesday, July 24 – Steven Cup, semi-finals, second leg: Keiss (4) v Halkirk (0); Pentland (1) v Acks (2) (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).
Monday, July 29 – Division Two: Swifts v Pentland; Top Joes v Acks (both 7.15pm).
Tuesday, July 30 – David Allan Shield, semi-finals: Wick Groats or John O’Groats v Swifts or Keiss; Wick Thistle or Pentland United v Staxigoe United or High Ormlie Hotspur (both 7pm).