Top Joe's battle back for share of the points in six-goal thriller with Keiss
Top Joe's manager Bruce Cormack said he was delighted with the spirit shown by his team as they recovered from being 3-1 down in the second half to grab a share of the points at home to Keiss on Thursday night.
Keiss looked to be on course for their first win of the season in Caithness AFA Division Two as they led 2-0 at half-time and restored their two-goal cushion after TJ's had pulled one back.
But the Thurso side refused to give up and they battled back for a 3-3 draw.
Cormack said: "I felt Keiss edged the first half on chances as we never managed to create anything, although possession was fairly even. In the second half we were slightly more on top but Keiss always threatened on the break.
"I was delighted with the spirit we showed in the second half and it was great to see that we fought to the end to get a point. It was a real end-to-end game at times and either side could have won it."
Keiss co-manager Kai Tait said: "We played very well in the first half. We deserved our 2-0 lead at half-time and it could have been more.
"Top Joe's fought very well in the second half to get a 3-3 draw.
"I'm disappointed to draw the game and the whole team felt the same – we think we deserved to come away with three points.
"I really can't fault the players.
"They played some good stuff for a team that have only played a few games together. It's the first season in county league football for a few of our players and they've adapted well."
First-half goals from Alan Steven and Alan Ferrier put Keiss in the driving seat at Ormlie. Top Joe’s improved after the break and they reduced the deficit through Jack MacGregor.
Ryan Calder fired in a long-range effort to make it 3-1 for Keiss, then the game swung from end to end before MacGregor scored his second of the night from the penalty spot with around 10 minutes to go.
Joe’s pressed hard for an equaliser and it came via a towering header from Iain Rosie.
Watten took on Pentland for the second time in as many weeks and this time it ended 2-2. Shane Honeyman and Scott Macalpine were on target for Watten, while the Pentland goals came from Scott Ross and Ewan Scott (penalty).
Castletown bounced back from their Highland Amateur Cup exit to beat Swifts 3-1. It's now two league wins out of two for Castletown as they seek a return to the top flight.
Caithness AFA results: Thursday – Division Two: Top Joe's 3, Keiss 3; Watten 2, Pentland 2; Swifts 1, Castletown 3.
Fixtures: Friday, April 29 – Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v Pentland United; John O'Groats v Wick Thistle; Lybster v Staxigoe United; Wick Groats v Acks (all 6.45pm).
Monday, May 2 – Division Two: Keiss v Pentland; Swifts v Watten; Top Joe's v Castletown (all 7pm).
Tuesday, May 3 – Division One: Acks v High Ormlie Hotspur; Lybster v Wick Groats; Pentland United v John O'Groats; Staxigoe United v Wick Thistle (all 7pm).