Ross strikes a double to seal Groats cup win
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Eain Mackintosh cup final
Staxigoe United 0, Wick Groats 2
AN unlikely second-half double from player/manager Stewart Ross on Saturday proved decisive as Groats added the Eain Mackintosh Cup to their earlier Wick League title.
Their dedicated following is hoping the triumph at Recreation Park in Halkirk at the weekend over east of Caithness rivals Staxigoe can be part of one of the most successful campaigns in the 118-year history of their club.
With Groats comfortably ahead at the top of the county league first division and in the last four of the Highland Amateur Cup – a trophy they have never won before – the dreams have plenty of substance.
Both sides were short of a handful of regulars for ?Saturday’s final due to a mix of suspensions, injuries ?and T in the Park attendees.
That led to the recruitment of several trialists with erstwhile Wick Academy winger David Cowie helping out Staxigoe and Thurso’s Marc Begg making an appearance off the bench for Groats.
Staxigoe, eyeing a second trophy, shaded the first half against an out-of-sorts Groats.
Their biggest threat came from setpieces with Colin Sinclair’s deliveries regularly discomfiting goal-keeper Graeme Williamson.
With Kevin Miller and Andrew Macleod deployed as centre backs, Stewart Ross was given a rare upfield posting.
He started in the middle of the park but was to spend most of the game sharing striking duties with Graham MacNab.
Groats improved and served notice of their growing menace when James Mackay struck woodwork 20 minutes from the break.
Staxigoe made less impact in the second 45, which was topped and tailed by Ross’s double.
The latter, who was to win the man-of-the-match award, was first to have a crack at goal, with his 25 yarder fizzing just wide of keeper Daniel Budge’s right upright.
This was followed by a decent effort from Alan Hughes, son of Academy assistant manager Richard Hughes.
From a corner, the youngster’s volley lacked power and was comfortably held by Budge.
Ref Alex Jappy was the centre of controversy on 10 minutes when MacNab put Kyle Ross clear, only for play to be called back for a foul on MacNab.
United striker Martin Banks showed up well early on with some neat hold-up play and sparky dribbles.
On 17 minutes, his run down the right ended with his penetrative cross rebounding off Stewart Ross’s outstretched leg, and missing the left post by a couple of feet.
Kyle Ross’s diagonal pass provided another opening for Mackay whose early shot produced a fine stop from keeper Budge.
Groats’ foul count in their own half gave United ammunition to fuel their goal chase.
Colin Sinclair’s range of crosses should have proved decisive on 28 minutes when he found his brother, Alan, a couple of yards from the far post. The ball bounced off the turf sharply just before the latter shot wildly over.
Three minutes later, Jimmy Budge looked to have a clear run on goal but a stumble arrested his progress and lost him the opportunity. Groats by now were starting to boss the midfield with Gary MacGregor increasingly pulling the strings.
His side almost went ahead on 35 minutes when MacNab’s cross found Mackay.
After failing to connect first time, the youngster’s second attempt crashed off the inside of Budge’s right-hand post.
Macleod was finding Martin Banks a handful to mark and the former Academy stalwart was booked for his crude block of the striker soon after the turnaround.
On 49 minutes, Stewart Ross missed a clear opening when he stooped to head Mackay’s cross against a post.
He made up for that miss a minute later when he latched on to a through-ball from Mackay and slotted the ball wide of keeper Budge.
Williamson had to look lively on 53 minutes when he raced to the edge of his penalty box to prevent Cowie reaching Jack Hendry’s feed.
The keeper performed an action replay shortly afterwards, this time to thwart Hendry.
These were isolated breakaways for United who spent most of the second half in their own territory.
Martin Banks and Alan Sinclair were booked for late tackles as Groats dominated play.
Stewart Ross could not convert two minutes from time, ballooning over an inviting low cross from MacNab, with just Budge to beat.
That would have come back to haunt the PE teacher had a late blitz from United counted.
Martin Banks was denied by Williamson before the keeper was happy to pouch Jimmy Budge’s raking shot from just inside the box.
The tie was sealed in injury time when Cowie lost possession and a sharp counter left Stewart Ross bearing down on keeper Budge.
He opted against a run-in, instead clipping an inch-perfect 30-yard lob over Budge to lodge in the keeper’s top right-hand corner of the net.
It was a moment to cherish in a less-than-memorable contest.
Groats skipper Kevin Miller stepped up to receive the cup from Mary Mackintosh, mother of Eain.
Staxigoe United: D. Budge, C. Sinclair, Reid, A. Sinclair, A. Banks, Hendry (Gordon 63), Niwa, Shearer, M. Banks, J. Budge, Cowie. Subs (unused): Robertson, Dunnett, Green and Rosie.
Wick Groats: Williamson, Stewart (Begg 68), Cumming, S. Ross, Miller, MacLeod, Mackay, MacGregor, MacNab, K. Ross, Hughes. Subs (unused): Macleod, C. Ross, George and Swanson. Referee: A. Jappy.
* Wick Groats are destined to make an early return to Culbokie as they continue their quest to land a first MacLeod IFA Highland Amateur Cup.
Lewis and Harris league leaders Back are their opponents in their semi on July 23. It follows Back’s 3-2 victory over Golspie Stafford at Maryburgh on Saturday.
The previous week, Groats scored a 5-2 win over Culbokie.
The other semi on July 23 pits Avoch versus ?Carloway at Ullapool.
Carloway clinched their place with a 5-1 defeat of Kirkwall Rovers.
