We've deserved our relegation, admits Thurso Acks player/manager
Acks are preparing for life in the second tier of Caithness summer football next year after their relegation was confirmed by a 2-1 defeat to John O'Groats on Tuesday night.
The Thurso side are stuck on four points and will finish at the foot of the Division One table. Either John O'Groats or Castletown will play in the relegation/promotion play-off at the end of next week.
After a goalless first half at breezy Folke Park, Kyle Innes put Acks in front to boost their survival hopes. An own goal levelled the scores with about 10 minutes remaining, and Saleem Bremner completed the turnaround by heading home the winner.
Acks player/manager Craig Trueman said: "It's obviously disappointing to get relegated but ultimately we've deserved it.
"I don't think we've managed to field the same team twice, so an inconsistent squad has been our biggest problem. I think we've used about 40 players, which is never a good sign.
"But hopefully next season we'll be able to have a good mix of experience and younger players and more importantly have a squad of boys that are committed to show up every week and give their all."
Results – Steven Cup final: Lybster 0, Swifts 3.
Highland Amateur Cup, semi-finals: Clach Reserves 0, Avoch 7; Stromness Athletic 0, Wick Groats 1.
Caithness AFA Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur 2, Staxigoe United 2; John O'Groats 2, Acks 1; Wick Groats 1, Pentland United 1. Division Two: Watten 2, Top Joe's 2.
Fixtures – Wednesday, August 9 – Division One: Castletown v Wick Thistle. Division Two: Keiss v Thurso Pentland; Lybster v Swifts (all 7pm).
Saturday, August 12 – Highland League Cup, preliminary round: Wick Academy v Nairn County (3pm).
David Allan Shield final – High Ormlie Hotspur v Wick Groats (Back Park, Castletown, 3pm).
Sunday, August 13 – SWF Highlands and Islands League: Caithness v Sutherland (Back Park, Castletown, 2pm).
Monday, August 14 – Division Two: Swifts v Keiss; Top Joe's v Thurso Pentland; Watten v Lybster v (all 6.45pm).
Tuesday, August 15 – Division One: Acks v Wick Groats; Castletown v High Ormlie Hotspur; Pentland United v Wick Thistle; Staxigoe United v John O'Groats (all 6.45pm).