Sutherland leads the charge in Castletown revival
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A GOAL spree by Chris Sutherland is fuelling Castletown’s revival from a miserable start to their county campaign.
The 22-year-old frontman bagged four in his side’s 5-3 victory over Staxigoe United in a David Allan Cup first-round clash on Monday. He has now rattled in 12 of the 16 goals for his team in their last four outings, all won.
Against Staxigoe, he twice used his pace to get in behind the opposition back line to fire his team 2-0 ahead early on.
A well-taken third from Pher Nicolson looked to have sealed the home side’s passage. But either side of the interval a close-range finish by Martin Banks and a 25-yard classic from Colin Sinclair narrowed the gap.
United were incensed when Paul Gordon was adjudged to have taken the legs from Sutherland in the box after 65 minutes. After Stevie Reid and Banks had been booked for dissent, Sutherland stepped up to bury the spot-kick.
Sutherland then hit the underside of the crossbar with an audacious effort from wide on the left. Staxigoe regained belief when Reid tidily netted from Sinclair’s free kick with five minutes left. But that man Sutherland finally killed off the visitors when he ran on to Gavin Henderson’s through ball to make it 5-3 in the final minute.
Castletown now entertain Swifts, who were made to work hard for a 4-2 win at Keiss.
Opportunist strikes by Stevie Morris and Lee MacDougall in between a long-range effort from Colin MacKenzie had the town outfit 2-1 up at the interval. Morris grabbed his second with a smartly taken header only for Calum Cameron to get one back for Keiss.
Johnnie Mackay clinched it for Swifts with a late goal.
A cup shock was on the cards in Thurso as Wick Groats trailed 2-0 to Acks at half-time. An angled effort from James Watson put the home side in front and the same player then netted from Murray Mackintosh’s cross.
James Mackay got one back soon after the turnaround, and the tide started to turn strongly against Acks following Steven Sinclair’s penalty-box clash with Grant MacNab. It resulted in the defender’s red-carding and a penalty which MacNab converted.
There was no way back for David MacGregor’s men as Groats took full advantage of their numerical superiority. Goals from Andrew Cumming and Grant MacNab took them clear before late efforts by Graham MacNab and Kyle Ross made it 6-2.
Manager MacGregor ended the game being ordered from the playing area by referee John Munro for a mouthful of abuse.
Groats now play John O’Groats, who came from behind against Wick Thistle to win 4-1 at the Upper Bignold.
Thistle went in front after 20 minutes when Gordie Steven was left unmarked at the far post to fire home. Five minutes later it was all square following a peach of a free kick from Martin Sinclair.
After an even first half, John O’Groats stepped up a gear and took the lead on the hour mark when Grant Budge’s cross was headed in by Stuart Sinclair the elder. Sinclair then found the top corner with a penalty-box finish before a slick move ended with Marc MacGregor squaring for Andrew Richardson to net.
A power-play second half saw Pentland United romp to an 8-1 victory over their Thurso namesakes. A couple of errors by stand-in keeper Michael Smith helped United establish a 3-0 lead through Michael Petrie, Jordan MacKechnie and Darryn Mackay.
The visitors enjoyed a good 20 minutes before the break when Darren Mackay hit a post and then Alan Murray got one back.
Petrie bagged his second soon after the interval and the roof caved in for the town side when Michael McEwan was sent off for downing Ross Allan in the box. The spot-kick was the first of Mark Nichol’s threesome, with Allan also getting on the scoresheet.
Top Joe’s survived a late fightback to win 3-2 against Ormlie Hotspurs.
When Kevin Treasurer scored with a neat chip to add to first-half strikes from Ross MacKinnon and Keith Foubister, Hotspurs looked dead in the water. A 25-yarder by Chris Stone with 10 minutes left reduced the leeway and a second from Graham Scollay made for a tense finale.
TJ’s now travel to Wick to play Rovers, who had a 4-1 win at home to Lybster. After the visitors cancelled out Liam Sutherland’s early opener, Gary Coghill restored the lead from the penalty spot just before the interval. Goals from Paul MacDonald and Eddie Beattie sealed their victory.
Derek Munro got a hat-trick as Halkirk scored six without reply against FSC in Wick on Wednesday. Gavin Sutherland and Graham Gunn were also on target, and the final strike was a family affair as Stevie Blackwood’s shot was deflected in by father David soon after he came off the bench.
Results – Eain Mackintosh Cup final: Staxigoe United 0, Wick Groats 2.
David Allan Shield, first round: Acks 2, Wick Groats 6; Castletown 5, Staxigoe United 3; FSC 0, Halkirk 6; Keiss 2, Swifts 4; Pentland United 8, Thurso Pentland 1; Wick Rovers 4, Lybster 1; Top Joe’s 3, Ormlie Hotspurs 2; Wick Thistle 1, John O’Groats 4.
Fixtures – Tomorrow (Saturday) – Friendly (4.00): Thurso v Wick Academy.
Monday – David Allan Shield, second round (7.15): Castletown v Swifts; Halkirk v Pentland United; Wick Rovers v Top Joe’s.
Tuesday – David Allan Shield, second round (7.15): Wick Groats v John O’Groats.
Wednesday – County League, Division Two (7.30): Keiss v FSC; Ormlie Hotspurs v Lybster; Rovers v Top Joe’s; Thurso Pentland v Wick Thistle.
Thursday – County League, Division One (7.30): Castletown v Staxigoe United; Pentland United v Halkirk; Swifts v John O’Groats; Wick Groats v Acks.
