Post by Brian Mackay on Apr 8, 2005 22:28:43 GMT
United aiming to extend their domination - by Iain Grant
THE current cold snap has come almost predictably in the run-up to the kick-off of Caithness summer football, writes Iain Grant.
The first games in the John O'Groat Journal County League - weather permitting - are on Tuesday in Thurso and Wick.
Reigning first division champions Pentland United will be seeking to extend their domination in the recent era which has seen them miss out on the title just once in the past nine seasons.
Their main challengers are expected to be Acks and Wick Thistle, though the ever-improving John O'Groats could also force their way into the shakeup.
There has been the usual merry-go-round of players but there have also been a number of changes on the managerial front.
Acks supremo Graeme Reid has enlisted the support of Paul McCallum to help him land the championship for the perennial nearly-men.
Meanwhile, Richard Hughes has taken over the reins at Thistle and Ian MacDonald is in charge at Castletown.
Promoted sides Groats and Lybster will be looking to consolidate, with Rovers and Ashes the pair they will be targeting to finish above.
The second division has a competitive look to it, with Swifts and Halkirk - who narrowly missed out last time - likely to face their strongest challenge from relegated duo Workshops and Thurso Pentland.
Next week's County League fixtures: Tuesday (6.45) - Division Two:
FSC v Keiss; Thurso Pentland v Swifts; Top Joe's v Thurso Thistle.
Wednesday (6.45) - Division One: Acks v Castletown; Lybster v Wick Thistle; Pentland United v John O'Groats;
Rovers v Wick Groats.
Division Two: Mid County v Halkirk.
Thursday (6.45) - Division Two: Workshops v Thurso Thistle.
THE current cold snap has come almost predictably in the run-up to the kick-off of Caithness summer football, writes Iain Grant.
The first games in the John O'Groat Journal County League - weather permitting - are on Tuesday in Thurso and Wick.
Reigning first division champions Pentland United will be seeking to extend their domination in the recent era which has seen them miss out on the title just once in the past nine seasons.
Their main challengers are expected to be Acks and Wick Thistle, though the ever-improving John O'Groats could also force their way into the shakeup.
There has been the usual merry-go-round of players but there have also been a number of changes on the managerial front.
Acks supremo Graeme Reid has enlisted the support of Paul McCallum to help him land the championship for the perennial nearly-men.
Meanwhile, Richard Hughes has taken over the reins at Thistle and Ian MacDonald is in charge at Castletown.
Promoted sides Groats and Lybster will be looking to consolidate, with Rovers and Ashes the pair they will be targeting to finish above.
The second division has a competitive look to it, with Swifts and Halkirk - who narrowly missed out last time - likely to face their strongest challenge from relegated duo Workshops and Thurso Pentland.
Next week's County League fixtures: Tuesday (6.45) - Division Two:
FSC v Keiss; Thurso Pentland v Swifts; Top Joe's v Thurso Thistle.
Wednesday (6.45) - Division One: Acks v Castletown; Lybster v Wick Thistle; Pentland United v John O'Groats;
Rovers v Wick Groats.
Division Two: Mid County v Halkirk.
Thursday (6.45) - Division Two: Workshops v Thurso Thistle.