We can do it: Reid targets more cup success for High Ormlie after shootout victory over Wick Groats
Captain Aidan Reid believes High Ormlie Hotspur are capable of going all the way in the Highland Amateur Cup this season after knocking out last year’s runners-up Wick Groats.
Saturday’s closely contested third-round tie at Ormlie ended 1-1 after extra time, and Hotspur – who lifted the trophy in 2022 – went on to win 4-3 on penalties.
Goalkeeper Lewis Gallacher saved two spot-kicks in the shootout as High Ormlie booked a quarter-final tie at home to Black Rock Rovers.
After a goalless 90 minutes, Jonah Martens had broken the deadlock for Wick Groats in the first period of extra time when he raced through on the right and slotted the ball in at the far corner.
However, Reid got the equaliser after being pushed up front from his usual position in central defence and he also netted in the shootout.
Reid (25) had every confidence in Gallacher’s shot-stopping ability once the tie went to penalties.
“They got the first goal and you could see our heads going down,” the captain said. “It was hard to take, especially against such a strong team.
“In the second half of extra time I got pushed up front to help the strikers out a bit.”
James Mackintosh played the ball in from the right and it was deflected into Reid’s path. He duly slammed it beyond Kieran Macleod to make it 1-1.
“What was going through my head was just to hit the target,” Reid said. “It was one of those chances where it would have been quite easy to scuff it.
"All the penalties were on target but Lewis does what he does best. Fair play to him, he produced two good saves.”
Next up are Black Rock Rovers, first division leaders in the Inverness and District Football Association and Division 1 Cup winners.
Reid believes High Ormlie’s Highland Amateur Cup credentials mean they need fear no-one.
“We’ve done it once, and in other cups we’ve put big teams out,” he said. “We can do it. Hopefully all the boys keep their confidence high and we keep going.”
Scorers for Hotspur in the shootout were Kieran MacGregor, Aidan Reid, Mark Munro and Stuart Campbell. James Mackintosh’s attempt was saved by Macleod.
Groats’ penalty scorers were Jonah Martens, Bryan McKiddie and Ross Davidson. Sandy Sutherland and Ben Sinclair saw their kicks kept out by Gallacher.
Results – Highland Amateur Cup, third round: Black Rock Rovers 7, Culbokie 2; High Ormlie Hotspur 1, Wick Groats 1 (HOH won 4-3 on penalties after extra time); Pentland United 6, Lybster 0; Maryburgh 1, Avoch 2; Rendall 1, Ness 4; Stornoway Athletic 3, Inverness Athletic 1; Stromness Athletic 1, Helmsdale United 2; Tomatin United 1, Sleat and Strath 2.
Highland Amateur Cup quarter-final draw: High Ormlie Hotspur v Black Rock Rovers; Pentland United v Ness; Sleat and Strath v Avoch; Stornoway Athletic v Helmsdale United. (Ties to be played on Saturday, July 13; venues and kick-off times TBC).
Keiss maintained their eight-point advantage at the top of Caithness AFA Division Two with a 4-1 home win against Watten on Thursday night.
The Keiss goals came from Oliver Manton, Murray Mackay, Tony Miller (penalty) and Carter Mackay after Larie McLennan had given Watten an early lead.
Second-placed Swifts, who have played two games fewer than Keiss, kept up their own promotion hopes with a 5-1 victory over Top Joe’s. Ebisine Ambakederemo scored twice for Swifts with the others coming from Kian Mackay, John McLean and Gary Mackay.
Calvin Farquhar replied for Top Joe’s.
Kyle Innes struck twice in Acks’ 4-1 win against Pentland, with Graham Bremner and Lee Mackay also on target. Pentland’s goal came from Liam Semple.
Swifts take Halkirk at the Dammies on Monday night.
CAFA results – Caithness AFA Division Two: Keiss 4, Watten 1; Pentland 1, Acks 4; Top Joe’s 1, Swifts 5.
Fixtures – Monday, July 1 – Division Two: Swifts v Halkirk (7.30pm).
Tuesday, July 2 – Eain Mackintosh Cup, semi-finals: Lybster v High Ormlie Hotspur; Watten v Staxigoe (both 7.15pm).
Wednesday, July 3 – Division One: Wick Thistle v Pentland United (7.30pm).
Thursday, July 4 – Division Two: Acks v Watten; Halkirk v Top Joe’s (both 7.30pm).
Saturday, July 6 – Eain Mackintosh Cup final (Halkirk, 3pm).