Swifts' Steven Cup success will count for little in top-of-the-table clash
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Thurso Swifts were celebrating on Saturday after seeing off Lybster to lift the Steven Cup – but both managers agreed afterwards that the result will count for little when the teams meet again on Wednesday night in a crucial top-of-the-table league encounter.
Goals by Darryn Mackay, Kian Mackay and John Barclay secured a 3-0 victory for Swifts at Cow Park in the annual knockout tournament for Caithness AFA second-tier clubs, with manager Stevie Reid praising the contribution of his more experienced players.
Lybster and Swifts are joint leaders of Division Two on 31 points with two games remaining, and Wednesday's clash will be of huge significance in deciding who finishes on top. Lybster's superior goal difference could yet become a factor.
Reid said: “Our game plan was to keep doing what they have been doing and go and enjoy the day. It may sound simple but we have a lot of young lads and nerves would be playing a part – they didn’t need me adding to it.
“Once the game started our experienced players were vital, and our defence was superb.”
Looking ahead to the potential title decider, he said: “I don’t see it affecting the game on Wednesday. We know Lybster are a good side so it won’t be anything else but a tough game for sure.”
Darryn Mackay opened the scoring with a strike from outside the box placed perfectly into the top-right corner. Both teams had chances but Swifts went in at half-time with their 1-0 lead intact.
Lybster committed more players forward after the break as they pushed for an equaliser. However, with 20 minutes to go they were hit on the counter-attack as Kian Mackay ran through the middle with no defenders near him before calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
By this point Swifts had one hand on the trophy and they put the issue beyond doubt after another counter-attack as an inviting ball into the box was finished off by Barclay.
Lybster manager Cameron Mackenzie said: “There are always lessons in defeat and I've learnt mine. I know what needs to change to ensure we turn up on Wednesday and I’ll be sure that the players have as well.”
Lybster are away to Watten on Monday night, while Swifts will be at home to Keiss. The promotion/relegation play-off is on Friday, August 18.
The Steven Cup kicked off at noon and was followed by a Caithness v Lybster veterans' match, with raffles and beer stalls adding to the occasion. The Caithness Veterans won 4-3 in an entertaining game which was settled by the last kick, an own goal by a Lybster defender.
Results – Steven Cup final: Lybster 0, Swifts 3. Veterans' match: Caithness 4, Lybster 3.
Highland Amateur Cup, semi-finals: Clach Reserves 0, Avoch 7; Stromness Athletic 0, Wick Groats 1.
Fixtures – Tuesday, August 8 – Caithness AFA Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v Staxigoe United; John O'Groats v Acks; Wick Groats v Pentland United. Division Two: Watten v Top Joe's (all 7pm).
Wednesday, August 9 – Caithness AFA Division One: Castletown v Wick Thistle. Division Two: Keiss v Thurso Pentland; Lybster v Swifts (all 7pm).
Saturday, August 12 – David Allan Shield final – High Ormlie Hotspur v Wick Groats (Back Park, Castletown, 3pm).
