Webster makes instant impact as High Ormlie Hotspur seal semi-final place
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Comeback man Mark Webster scored the pick of the goals as High Ormlie Hotspur booked their place in the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup semi-finals with a 7-2 victory over Halkirk at Recreation Park.
Ryan Sutherland Jnr, Liam Bain, Mark Munro, Kieran MacGregor, Kuba Koziol and James Mackintosh were also on target for Spurs, but Webster’s strike was the highlight.
“He hadn’t kicked a ball since summer football last year,” player/co-manager Ryan Sutherland Jnr said. “He came on and his first touch was a first-time volley straight into the top corner from about 25 or 30 yards.”
Sutherland added: “We dominated large parts of the game. It was a comfortable win.
“We had seven different scorers and I think that just shows the quality of the squad – goals can come from anywhere.
“But fair play to Halkirk. Their two goals were really well-worked.”
Alan Larnach and Owen Cannop scored for the second division side.
High Ormlie Hotspur will take on Wick Groats on Saturday, May 18, for a place in the final of the first knockout tournament of the Caithness AFA season, with Pentland United facing Staxigoe United in the other tie.
Sutherland said: “It’ll be a tough game against Wick Groats in the semi-final but we played them earlier this season and showed that we are more than capable of competing.”
High Ormlie were a few minutes away from beating Groats at Harmsworth Park on April 23 only for the reigning first division champions to salvage a 1-1 draw.
There were no surprises in the quarter-finals of the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup as Wick Groats, Pentland United and Staxigoe United progressed alongside High Ormlie Hotspur.
Groats were the top scorers, banging in nine without reply against Acks at the Dammies. Jonah Martens led the way for the holders with four goals, including a penalty, with the others coming from Sandy Sutherland, Steven Anderson (2), Korbyn Cameron and Michael Steven.
There were hat-tricks for Murray Mackintosh and Sean Campbell as Pentland United eased to an 8-1 victory over Swifts in a tie that was switched to Ham Park. James Murray and Michael Petrie were also on target for the Stabbies, with Swifts’ goal coming from Kian Mackay.
Only one of the quarter-final ties, Acks v Wick Groats, had originally been scheduled for Friday evening on the Caithness AFA fixture list. However, two matches – Halkirk v High Ormlie Hotspur and Swifts v Pentland – were brought forward from Saturday at short notice.
In the only tie that went ahead on Saturday afternoon, Staxigoe United won 3-1 at Castletown – one week after the sides had drawn 0-0 in a league match at Harmsworth Park.
Darren Sheppard, Morgan Kennedy and Martin Banks scored for Staxigoe, with Castletown’s Michael Smith replying from the penalty spot.
One league match was played on Friday night, with Keiss thumping Thurso Pentland 7-1 in a Division Two fixture at John O’Groats.
Tony Miller scored twice, including a penalty, and there was also a double for Oliver Manton. Ryan Calder, Kyle Sutherland and William Mackay added the others for Keiss, while Lee Gordon got a consolation for Pentland.
Pentland went on to pick up a welcome point in a 1-1 draw with Top Joe’s at the Dammies on Monday.
Pentland took the lead with a deflected effort in the last 10 minutes from Brandon Macleod. Top Joe’s equalised with a header from Mark Hutcheon after a cross by Martin Murray.
There was a late red card for dissent for Jordan McLean of Top Joe’s.
Results – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, quarter-finals: Acks 0, Wick Groats 9; Castletown 1, Staxigoe United 3; Halkirk 2, High Ormlie Hotspur 7; Swifts 1, Pentland United 8.
CAFA Division Two: Keiss 7, Pentland 1; Pentland 1, Top Joe’s 1.
Tuesday, May 7 – CAFA Division One: Lybster v Staxigoe United; Wick Groats v Castletown. Division Two: Acks v Halkirk; Watten v Keiss (all 7pm).
Wednesday, May 8 – CAFA Division One: Pentland United v High Ormlie Hotspur; Wick Thistle v John O’Groats (both 7pm).
Saturday, May 11 – Highland Amateur Cup, round one, north section (3pm unless stated): Golspie Stafford v Inver; Helmsdale United v Brora Wanderers; High Ormlie Hotspur v Keiss; Lairg Rovers v Tain Thistle; Lochinver v Halkirk; Lybster v Lochbroom; Staxigoe United v Wick Groats (4pm); Top Joe’s v Pentland United; Watten v Wick Thistle.
Tuesday, May 14 – CAFA Division One: Castletown v Wick Thistle; Pentland United v Wick Groats; Staxigoe United v High Ormlie Hotspur. Division Two: Pentland v Keiss; Watten v Acks (all 7.15pm).
Wednesday, May 15 – CAFA Division One: Lybster v John O'Groats. Division Two: Swifts v Top Joe’s (both 7.15pm).
Friday, May 17 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, semi-final: Pentland United v Staxigoe United (7pm). CAFA Division Two: Keiss v Halkirk (7.15pm).
Saturday, May 18 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, semi-final: High Ormlie Hotspur v Wick Groats (3pm).
