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We'll show utmost respect to Keiss in play-off, says Castletown manager





Manager Tom McKenna says he has 'a lot of trust and belief' in his Castletown players. Picture: James Gunn
Manager Tom McKenna says he has 'a lot of trust and belief' in his Castletown players. Picture: James Gunn

Castletown manager Tom McKenna has insisted his team will show "the utmost respect" to Keiss when the teams meet in Friday's relegation/promotion play-off in Wick.

The Quarrymen dropped to second-bottom place in Division One on Tuesday, the last night of the regular Caithness AFA league season, when they were beaten 3-1 by High Ormlie Hotspur. Castletown will need to overcome the second division runners-up at the Upper Bignold if they are to retain their top-flight status.

On Monday night Keiss had secured their place in the play-off with a 4-0 away victory over Swifts, who slipped to third in Division Two, with Lybster finishing top.

McKenna said: "As a coach you always believe in yourself and your team going into every fixture. I'm confident and I've got a lot of trust and belief in the guys I work with at Castletown.

"In general we are confident but we won't go into the game complacent and we won't be disrespectful towards Keiss. We'll give them the utmost respect.

"They've got some good individuals that we need to be wary of. It's going to be a tough game."

Keiss manager Bradley Thomson said: "We have been chasing the two teams ahead of us all season but nobody downed tools – that is the most pleasing part. We have fought to the end and now we have our chance on Friday.

"Castletown will be a well-organised and tough side to play against, as they were last season. We have the momentum coming into the game and will look to make our mark upon it."

Tony Miller got a hat-trick against Swifts on Monday and Lewis Gill scored the other.

Castletown's Michael Smith on the ball in a second division match at Keiss last year. The teams will meet again in Friday's relegation/promotion play-off in Wick.
Castletown's Michael Smith on the ball in a second division match at Keiss last year. The teams will meet again in Friday's relegation/promotion play-off in Wick.

Lybster secured automatic promotion with their 5-0 win at Watten.

High Ormlie went three up at Castletown on Tuesday with an own goal and strikes from William Cannop and Aaron Wilson. Michael Smith pulled one back from the penalty spot.

McKenna was full of praise for High Ormlie, who finished third in the league and also reached two county cup finals, winning one.

"For me, the way they play, they're the best footballing team in the league," he said. "I really admire the way they play football. They've got really strong individuals and they gel well together. I really enjoy watching them playing.

"I think they just lack a wee bit of experience in certain games against Wick Groats and Pentland United who have been there and done it over the years. They're still new to this and I think they'll get stronger."

John O'Groats drew 2-2 away to Staxigoe United. That point was enough to lift JOG to sixth, one above the play-off place.

Alan Davis put John O'Groats ahead only for Staxigoe to hit back through Bryan Reid (penalty) and Morgan Kennedy. Jordan Howden's spot-kick equaliser allowed JOG to breathe a sigh of relief.

Caithness AFA president Murray Coghill hands over the second division trophy to Lybster captain Gary Swanson. Picture: Alan Hendry
Caithness AFA president Murray Coghill hands over the second division trophy to Lybster captain Gary Swanson. Picture: Alan Hendry

Results – Highland League Cup, preliminary round: Wick Academy 0, Nairn County 1.

David Allan Shield final – High Ormlie Hotspur 1, Wick Groats 4.

SWF Highlands and Islands League: Caithness 4, Sutherland 1.

Caithness AFA Division One: Acks 0, Wick Groats 7; Castletown 1, High Ormlie Hotspur 3; Pentland United 6, Wick Thistle 0; Staxigoe United 2, John O'Groats 2.

Caithness AFA Division Two: Swifts 0, Keiss 4; Top Joe's 4, Thurso Pentland 1; Watten 0, Lybster 5.

Fixtures – Wednesday, August 16 – Highland League: Wick Academy v Clachnacuddin (8pm).

Friday, August 18 – Caithness AFA promotion/relegation play-off: Castletown v Keiss (6.30pm, Upper Bignold, Wick).

Saturday, August 19 – Highland Amateur Cup final: Avoch v Wick Groats (2.30pm, Harmsworth Park, Wick).

Highland League: Rothes v Wick Academy (3pm).

Lybster manager Cameron Mackenzie (left) and captain Gary Swanson with the Caithness AFA Division Two trophy. Picture: Alan Hendry
Lybster manager Cameron Mackenzie (left) and captain Gary Swanson with the Caithness AFA Division Two trophy. Picture: Alan Hendry

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