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Sinclair happy with hard-fought win for Staxigoe in Highland Amateur Cup





Chrissy Green scores from the penalty spot for Staxigoe United. Picture: Mel Roger
Chrissy Green scores from the penalty spot for Staxigoe United. Picture: Mel Roger

Staxigoe United manager Colin Sinclair was delighted with his team's workrate as they overcame Lochbroom in their Highland Amateur Cup second-round tie.

The Caithness side won 4-2 in the early kick-off at the sun-drenched Upper Bignold on Saturday to set up a derby clash against holders Wick Groats in the last 16.

Colin Davidson got the opener for Staxigoe, who were beaten finalists in 2017, and Chrissy Green doubled their lead with a penalty. Lochbroom, who play in the North-West Sutherland league, pulled one back before the break.

Grant Aitkenhead made it 3-1 for Staxigoe only for the Ullapool side to reduce the deficit again. Hasheem Bremner scored a back-post header from a corner with 10 minutes remaining to seal the victory.

Staxigoe's Bryan Reid is pulled back by Lochbroom's Ben Bruce. Picture: Mel Roger
Staxigoe's Bryan Reid is pulled back by Lochbroom's Ben Bruce. Picture: Mel Roger

Sinclair said: "It was a hard-fought win against a good side and we are delighted.

"We could have had a couple more goals in the first half. Lochbroom were probably the better team in the second half, and had more of the ball, but we managed to see the game out.

"I was delighted with how the whole team played and the effort and work they all put in. There were some big important saves from Leo Shearer."

Stuart Mackay and Kaden Irvine were the Lochbroom scorers.

Staxigoe are one of five Caithness clubs through to the last 16 of the competition along with three from the Western Isles, two from Sutherland, two from Ross-shire, two from Orkney, one from Inverness and one from Skye.

Grant Aitkenhead shows his delight at scoring Staxigoe's third goal. Picture: Mel Roger
Grant Aitkenhead shows his delight at scoring Staxigoe's third goal. Picture: Mel Roger

Third-round draw: Avoch v Kirkwall Hotspurs; Black Rock Rovers v Golspie Stafford; Iochdar Saints v High Ormlie Hotspur; IRN Security v Sleat and Strath; Pentland United v Lairg Rovers; Ness v Carloway; Stromness Athletic v Wick Thistle; Wick Groats v Staxigoe United (ties to be played on Saturday, June 25).

Quarter-final draw: Stromness Athletic or Wick Thistle v Pentland United or Lairg Rovers; Black Rock Rovers or Golspie Stafford v Iochdar Saints or High Ormlie Hotspur; Ness or Carloway v Avoch or Kirkwall Hotspurs; IRN Security or Sleat and Strath v Wick Groats or Staxigoe United (ties to be played on Saturday, July 16).

Results – Highland Amateur Cup, round two (ties involving Caithness clubs): High Ormlie Hotspur 4, Lochinver 1; Loch Ness 2, Wick Groats 4; Pentland United 4, Kirkwall Thorfinn 0; Staxigoe United 4, Lochbroom 2; Watten 0, Iochdar Saints 4 (Bught Park, Inverness); Wick Thistle 2, Ardersier 0.

Fixtures – 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).

Thursday, June 9 – Caithness AFA Division One: Wick Thistle v High Ormlie Hotspur. Division Two: Castletown v Top Joe's; Pentland v Keiss; Watten v Swifts (all 7.30pm).

Friday, June 10 – Division One: John O'Groats v Acks; Pentland United v Lybster; Staxigoe United v Wick Groats (all 7.30pm).

Staxigoe's Martin Banks shields the ball from Lochbroom's Seamus Charity. Picture: Mel Roger
Staxigoe's Martin Banks shields the ball from Lochbroom's Seamus Charity. Picture: Mel Roger

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