Victory in Stannergill Cup is bittersweet for John O’Groats manager after injury to star man
Four more sides have secured their place in the second round of the Stannergill Cup with matches played on Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
There were victories for John O’Groats, Halkirk, High Ormlie Hotspur and Staxigoe United as the quarter-finals took shape for this inaugural season of the cup.
ALSO READ: Thurso Swifts, Wick Groats and Castletown victorious in first round of Stannergill Cup
At Upper Bignold, John O’Groats advanced with a 3-0 win over Wick Thistle.
Grant Budge broke the deadlock getting on the end of a Ryan Bain long ball, and Kian Mackay tapped in a second soon after.
Jimmy Budge added a third before the break, finishing off good work by Mackay and Michael Sutherland.
Thistle did improve in the second half but couldn’t break through a solid JOG defence, marshalled by Alan Davis.
But JOG were dealt a blow 15 minutes from time when last season’s player of the year, Don Swanson, was forced to withdraw after suffering a knee injury.
Speaking after the game, manager Stuart Sinclair wished the midfielder a speedy recovery.
“Unfortunately, Don’s kneecap has dislocated,” Sinclair explained.
“It’s a recurrence of an old injury. He's a young lad that's had it happen loads of times, and he’s devastated.
“He's awaiting surgery to fix it, so hopefully he gets that sooner rather than later.”
Halkirk booked their place in the next round with a composed 3-0 win over Thurso Pentland, reversing the outcome of the sides’ second division meeting earlier this month.
After a dominant start and several early chances, it was Shaun Macdonald who opened the scoring with a sharp half-volley.
Ally Mackintosh then made it two just after the break with a determined run and finish from a tight angle.
Paul Mackay, making his first start of the season, added a third with a hard low driven free kick to round off the win.
Halkirk manager Michael Bremner was delighted to see his side keep a clean sheet.
He said: “Really pleased to get the win. It was a good performance from us. We dominated it, and overall they had about one shot that our keeper dealt with well, so the clean sheet is also a bonus.
“The whole way through the team it was a really pleasing performance.
“We’re looking to do well in the cups this year, and it’s a welcome win after a less than impressive start in the league.
“We just hope last night can give us a boost and we can push on from there.
Elsewhere, the spoils in the High Ormlie derby went the way of the Hotspurs as they overwhelmed Top Joes by 6 goals to 1.
Kieran Macgregor laid down the marker with the opener, followed by an own goal and finishes from William Cannop, Aaron Wilson and Aidan Reid to make it 5-0.
Lee Taylor pulled one back for Top Joes before HOHs rounded things off with a sixth, scored by Wilson, in a dominant showing.
Stand-in keeper Jack Steven enjoyed a quiet Wednesday evening as Staxigoe cruised into the second round with a commanding 5-0 victory over a young Thurso Academicals side.
Cameron Sutherland and Graham Macnab – the latter netting twice – gave the hosts a 3-0 lead before Sutherland added his second header to make it four.
Sam Mackay nodded in a fifth to round off the scoring.
The quarter-finals of the competition shape up as follows, with ties to be played on Friday, May 16.
Staxigoe United v High Ormlie Hotspur
Halkirk v Pentland United
Castletown v John O’Groats
Thurso Swifts v Wick Groats
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