Rampant Castletown are 'gr-eight'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Castletown boss James Robertson could hardly contain his delight after his side's "gr-eight" display to put the lights out on ICM Electrical's cup dream.
The Green and Whites stormed into the last 16 by blitzing the hapless Inverness-shire side 8-0 at Back Park.
Connor Macintosh led the way with a stunning hat-trick while Michael Smith and Greg Macleod chipped in with doubles. Kerr Mackay's strike completed the rout.
Castletown will find out next week who they will meet in the next round, with the rest of the last 32 ties being played this weekend.
Robertson said: "I wasn't expecting this scoreline, to be honest, but the team were absolutely magnificent.
"I had heard good things about ICM and we were expecting a tough game.
"We even had them scouted and we came away regarding them as a decent team.
"Admittedly they were missing a few players but the team they put out was a good side.
"So for us to do what we did makes this a remarkable performance – everything clicked. Sometimes we've been guilty of playing in fits and starts but we were impressive throughout the 90 minutes.
"This was as good a performance as I've seen from us all season. We've a good squad and they're all fighting to get one of the 11 first-team places.
We're now into the business stages of the cup. The last 16 will have no easy draws for those involved.
"I now have the headache of deciding who to pick for the next game but that's a problem all coaches like."
Comprehensive though this result was, Robertson has warned fans not to expect a repeat in the next round.
He added: "We're now into the business stages of the cup. The last 16 will have no easy draws for those involved.
"You'll have the Orkney sides, teams from the Western Isles, and – if all goes to plan for them – Wick Groats and Pentland United."
Meanwhile, both John O'Groats and Staxigoe United got back to winning ways in CAFA Division One.
John O'Groats travelled to Lybster – the fixture being switched to Cow Park after the Groats pitch was waterlogged following the recent wet weather – and won 3-2 thank to goals from Saleem Bremner (2) and John Budge. Lybster replied with a Bobby Gunn brace.
Staxigoe managed to create some daylight away from the bottom reaches of the table following a 4-2 win at fellow strugglers Thurso Swifts.
Martin Banks (2), Sam Barclay and Grant Aitkenhead all found the net with Swifts' strikes coming from Craig Sutherland and Mike Maclean.
In Division Two, Watten remain unbeaten but their promotion chances took a minor dent as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Keiss.
Shane Honeyman and Michael Budge were on target for them only for Keiss to hit back via Ben Mackay and Adam Sherry.
Fixtures
Tuesday, June 4
CAFA Division One (all kick-offs 7.30pm)
Pentland United v Castletown
Wick Groats v Thurso Acks
CAFA Division Two
Halkirk v High Ormlie Hotspur
Top Joes v Thurso Pentland
Thursday, June 6
CAFA Division Two
Wick Thistle v Top Joes (7.30pm)
Friday, June 7
Highland Amateur Cup – Second round
Staxigoe United v Bellmac (7pm)
Saturday, June 8
Highland Amateur Cup – Second round
Barra v Wick Groats (10.30am)
(Match to be played at Uig, Skye)
Pentland United v High Ormlie Hotspur (2pm)
Point v Watten (noon)
(Match to be played at Maryburgh)
Rendall v Lybster (12.45pm)
