We got there in the end, says Pentland United man-of-the-match Sean Campbell
Man-of-the-match Sean Campbell said Pentland United had to “dig deep” to emerge with a ninth Highland Amateur Cup success in Saturday’s hard-fought final in Wick.
The Stabbies came from behind to beat Avoch 2-1 at Harmsworth Park, with Campbell curling in the equaliser from the edge of the box before James Murray sealed the win with a close-range header.
“I’ll be honest, it was one of those ones where you flash it across goal as hard and fast as you can and just hope for the best,” Campbell said of his strike. “It took a wee nick on the way through and I could see the topspin on the ball as it was looping in.
“I was running for the corner flag before it hit the back of the net.”
Avoch were awarded a penalty early in the second half with the score at 1-0. Campbell felt justice was done when veteran keeper Michael Gray saved James Ross’s effort from 12 yards.
“I thought it was a soft penalty,” Campbell said. “But take nothing away from Michael’s save – he read it and collected brilliantly.
“It was a brilliant ball in from Andy Brims for James Murray – he couldn’t miss from two or three yards out.
“Then the boys had to dig deep and see the game through. It was never going to be pretty but we got there in the end and that’s all that matters.”
Murray, the Caithness AFA top scorer and player of the year, described the competition as the Champions League for north amateur clubs.
He said: “That’s my first winning goal in the Highland Amateur Cup final – I couldn’t miss, the cross was that good.”
