Top shots of 2022 – a look back at our some of our best Caithness football photos
From goal celebrations to trophy presentations and everything in between, many of the key moments in local football have been captured on camera for the Groat and Courier over the past 12 months.
Photographers Mel Roger and James Gunn have again provided regular coverage for our print and online editions, showcasing the highs and lows experienced by Caithness clubs in the Highland League, the North Caledonian League, the Caithness AFA summer league and the Highland Amateur Cup.
Here is a small selection of their football images from 2022.
It was a year that began well for Wick Academy as they were halfway through a run of six wins in a row in the Highland League, and eight victories from nine games. They went on to finish in the top half of the table, in ninth place.
This season has brought a mixed bag of results for the Scorries but they managed to reach the third round of the Scottish Cup before being knocked out by full-time club Falkirk.
The North Caledonian League is proving to be increasingly competitive and Halkirk United did well to finish third last term. They and Thurso are eighth and 11th respectively in this season's 13-team division and both will be looking to climb higher – and get a decent run in the North Caledonian Cup.
There was plenty of drama in summer football, with Pentland United being crowned as county champions for the first time in more than a decade – ending Wick Groats' run of eight title triumphs in a row.
The Stabbies ended up with three trophies, as they lifted the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup and Eain Mackintosh Cup earlier in the summer.
United also reached the Highland Amateur Cup final and were aiming to win in for a ninth time. But they lost out in an all-Caithness showdown in front of a big Harmsworth Park crowd as High Ormlie Hotspur won 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
There were jubilant scenes as Spurs lifted the Highlands and Islands' most prestigious amateur trophy, just 10 years after the club was founded.
Whatever lies ahead for Caithness football in 2023, we can be sure that our dedicated local photographers will be there to catch the best of the action.
