We did it the hard way, says Sinclair as he stands down as Staxigoe boss
Staxigoe United’s departing manager Colin Sinclair said his team “did it the hard way” after seeing off the top three sides in this year’s county league on their way to winning the David Allan Shield.
Staxigoe knocked out High Ormlie Hotspur and Pentland United before coming from behind to beat Wick Groats 2-1 after extra time in Saturday’s final in Thurso.
Sinclair is standing down as manager, due to family and work commitments, although he says he will still help out in the background.
“I think the boys deserve it with the hard work they’ve put in over the whole season,” he said. “We did it the hard way – we had to play Halkirk, High Ormlie Hotspur, Pentland United and Wick Groats. It’s not an easy way to do it.
“It just shows what they can do. I’m just delighted for them because they’ve put in so much work this season and they’ve got something to show for it now.
“It was far from a classic game. You’re playing against a team who are used to winning cup finals, so it was always going to be difficult.
“They’re experienced, they’re a good team. I don’t think there was anything in the game whatsoever and it could have gone either way.
“It wasn’t a classic but we’ll take it.”
Sinclair will not be having second thoughts about his decision to step down.
“It’s way too much but it’s a good way to go out,” he said.
“But it’s not about me. It’s about the club itself, and we’ve never won the David Allan Shield before.”
Staxigoe’s last trophy success came in 2018 when they beat Castletown in the final of the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup.
Sinclair was delighted that the man-of-the-match award went to 16-year-old Arran Bain and he was also keen to praise the contribution of 19-year-old goalkeeper Leo Shearer.
Shearer put in a commanding display after a misjudged kick-out allowed Groats to open the scoring.
“He just under-hit the ball,” Sinclair said. “But he has been absolutely outstanding for such a young lad.
“He came and caught crosses at the end that took all the heat off us. He has kept us in so many games over the whole season with save after save after save. He has just turned 19.
“It was one of the best signings I made when he came into the team three years ago, the difference he has made.”
Results – Division Two: Halkirk 12, Pentland 0.
David Allan Shield final: Staxigoe United 2, Wick Groats 1 (after extra time).
Fixtures – Monday, August 12 – Division Two: Acks v Keiss; Top Joe’s v Pentland; Watten v Swifts (all 6.45pm).
Tuesday, August 13 – Division One: Castletown v Staxigoe United; High Ormlie Hotspur v Lybster; Pentland United v John O’Groats; Wick Groats v Wick Thistle (all 6.45pm).
Friday, August 16 – Promotion/relegation play-off.
Saturday, August 17 – Highland Amateur Cup final: Avoch v Pentland United (Harmsworth Park, 2pm).
