Wick Groats see off Stabbies in extra time to reach David Allan Shield final
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Wick Groats manager Kevin Anderson described the 3-1 midweek victory over Pentland United as a "brilliant result" as the holders made it through to the final of the David Allan Shield.
Anderson felt there was "only going to be one winner" as Wednesday's semi-final at the Upper Bignold went into extra time, but said both teams could have done without the additional 30 minutes ahead of their respective Highland Amateur Cup semis at the weekend.
Marc Macgregor put the Stabbies in front with a great finish but Alan Mathieson popped up with an equaliser before the half-time break. Graham MacNab fired Groats ahead in extra time and his brother Grant smashed in the third to make sure of the victory.
Anderson said: "It was a brilliant result, a tough game but a well-deserved win. Had it not been for the heroics of James More [Pentland United's goalkeeper] it would have been finished as a contest long before it was."
He added: "In the second half I felt we could have put the game to bed several times but a mixture of James, the woodwork and not taking chances played a part. Pentland United did look dangerous on the break but we defended really well when required and limited them to very few chances.
"Going into extra time I felt there was only going to be one winner – we were well on top.
"We're delighted with the win but I’m sure both teams could have done without extra time prior to Saturday."
Groats' opponents in the David Allan Shield final will be Castletown, who defeated Lybster 1-0 in the other semi. The final takes place at the Dammies on Saturday, August 13.
Results – David Allan Shield, quarter-finals: Castletown 2, John O’Groats 0; Lybster 3, Acks 3 (Lybster win 5-4 on penalties); Staxigoe United 1, Wick Groats 2; Wick Thistle 1, Pentland United 2 (AET).
Steven Cup, semi-finals, second leg: Keiss 2, Thurso Pentland 1 (AET, Keiss win 4-2 on aggregate); Swifts 4, Castletown 2 (Castletown win 7-5 on aggregate).
David Allan Shield, semi-finals: Castletown 1, Lybster 0; Wick Groats 3, Pentland United 1 (AET).
Fixtures – Friday – Steven Cup final: Castletown v Keiss (at Lybster, 7pm).
Saturday, August 6 – Highland Amateur Cup, semi-finals: Ness v Pentland United (at Culbokie, 1pm); Wick Groats v High Ormlie Hotspur (at Castletown, 3pm).
Monday, August 8 – Division Two: Keiss v Thurso Pentland; Swifts v Watten; Top Joe's v Castletown (7pm).
Tuesday, August 9 – Division One: Acks v Wick Groats; Pentland United v High Ormlie Hotspur; Wick Thistle v John O'Groats (7pm).
Wednesday, August 10 – Division One: Staxigoe United v Lybster (7pm).
Friday, August 12 – Division One: Wick Thistle v Pentland United (7pm).
Saturday, August 13 – David Allan Shield final: Castletown v Wick Groats (Dammies, 3pm).