Wick Groats back to winning ways as they see off Lybster
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In the aftermath of Wick Groats' heavy defeat in the Eain Mackintosh Cup final, manager Kevin Anderson declared his team would need to bounce back – and they duly returned to winning ways with a 4-0 victory in their David Allan Shield first-round tie at Lybster.
“There are still more levels to our game, which hopefully we can hit now in the business end of the season,” Anderson said after Tuesday night's encounter with the second division leaders.
It came three days after Groats' remarkable 6-0 cup final loss to High Ormlie Hotspur in Halkirk.
John Budge opened the scoring after 35 minutes at Cow Park when he knocked in a header from a set-piece. The visitors soon added a second when a quick passing move was finished off by Sean Stewart.
Lybster came into the game in spells but couldn’t reduce the deficit and Steven Anderson made it 3-0 with a header from a corner.
The last 20 minutes was a battle of fitness and stamina. Groats were rewarded for their constant movement and running off the ball when a well-worked move ended in substitute Stewart Atkins adding to their tally.
Lybster manager Cameron Mackenzie said: “We conceded some poor goals from set-pieces, which unfortunately has been the story of our season.”
When asked if Lybster could compete with the best in the county, he replied: “The potential is certainly there to keep pushing up the ranks. We have a good squad with promising players, but we still have a lot of work to do to reach that level – and it showed tonight.
“Our priority now is to carry this fight into the run-in and hopefully finish the season with some silverware.”
Anderson emphasised the importance of player availability, saying: “When you have guys unavailable it's a worry. Hopefully we’ll have a few more available for selection over the coming week or two.
"Jonah Martens is our only potential long-term absentee, which is a massive blow for us."
Groats will face Thistle in a Wick derby at the quarter-final stage.
Lybster take on Top Joe's in Thurso in the Steven Cup quarter-finals on Friday, while Wick Groats have two Division One fixtures against John O’Groats in quick succession – at Folke Park on Friday and the Upper Bignold on Tuesday.
James Murray scored twice and was then sent off as Pentland United eased through to the last eight of the David Allan Shield with a 5-0 victory over John O'Groats at Ham Park. Michael Petrie, Josh Sutherland and Andy Mackay (penalty) got the others.
The Stabbies are away to Staxigoe in the quarter-finals at the end of this month.
There were doubles for Darren Macgregor, Scott Durrand and Sam Barclay in Wick Thistle's thumping 8-2 win at second division Watten. Colin Henstridge and Greg Gunn were also on target for the Jags, with Ben Durrand and Scott Macalpine replying for the village outfit.
Thistle's Steven Sutherland was red-carded.
Staxigoe had a comfortable 4-0 win at home to Swifts on Wednesday with goals from Marc Coghill, Matthew Aitkenhead (2) and Morgan Kennedy (penalty).
Acks progressed to the last eight when they came from behind to win 2-1 at Keiss on Monday.
Oliver Manton put the villagers ahead but Acks hit back with goals from David Hale and Kyle Innes. They will be away to Castletown in the quarter-finals.
Monday's other tie saw Top Joe's emerge with a 4-2 victory over Pentland in a Thurso derby. Shaun MacDonald (2), Derek Munro and Jack MacGregor scored for Joe's, with Scott MacDonald getting a double for Pentland.
Top Joe's will face High Ormlie Hotspur in the next round.
David Allan Shield, revised quarter-final draw: Castletown v Acks; High Ormlie Hotspur v Top Joe's; Staxigoe United v Pentland United; Wick Thistle v Wick Groats (ties on Friday, July 28).
Results – Eain Mackintosh Cup final: High Ormlie Hotspur 6, Wick Groats 0.
David Allan Shield, first round: Keiss 1, Acks 2; Lybster 0, Wick Groats 4; Pentland United 5, John O'Groats 0; Top Joe's 4, Thurso Pentland 2; Staxigoe United 4, Swifts 0; Watten 2, Wick Thistle 8.
Friendly: Wick Academy 1, Ross County XI 0.
Fixtures – Thursday, July 13 – Caithness AFA Division One: Wick Thistle v Acks (7.30pm).
Friendly: St Duthus v Wick Academy (7.15pm).
Friday, July 14 – Caithness AFA Division One: John O'Groats v Wick Groats (7.30pm).
Steven Cup, quarter-finals: Thurso Pentland v Keiss; Top Joe's v Lybster (both 7.15pm).
Monday, July 17 – Caithness AFA Division One: Wick Thistle v High Ormlie Hotspur. Division Two: Keiss v Top Joe's; Lybster v Thurso Pentland; Swifts v Watten (all 7.30pm).
Tuesday, July 18 – Caithness AFA Division One: Acks v Castletown; Pentland United v Staxigoe United; Wick Groats v John O'Groats (all 7.30pm).
