Post by Brian Mackay on May 26, 2007 15:01:46 GMT
TJ's shoot-out win sets up Dunnet trip
By Iain Grant
Published: 25 May, 2007
THE outcome of this week's Eain Mackintosh Cup tussles has thrown up a David v Goliath quarter-final tie in Dunnet on Monday.
Top Joe's – still searching for their first league point – face the daunting trip to Dunnet to play defending champions Pentland United.
TJ's were celebrating after pulling off their first success of the current campaign with a penalty shoot-out victory in Lybster. The village outfit were firm favourites after racking up a comfortable 4-0 win over TJ's in the league earlier this month.
A windy night saw the visitors stake an early bid to upset the form-book when a good move down the right was finished off by Craig Hollywood.
Lybster had no shortage of possession but their failings in front of goal looked to be terminal to their cause until they grabbed a 88th-minute lifeline through Gareth Miller. With extra-time proving goalless, it was the Thurso men who prevailed 6-5 in the shoot-out.
United had a more comfortable passage in scoring three goals without reply at home to Acks. The Thurso men made a game of it in the first period which finished goalless.
United were almost gifted an early lead when Allan Sutherland's back-pass forced his keeper Brian Mackay into a desperate save via a post. Ex-Ross County player Scott Begg, making his first outing for the Dunnet men, also went close.
Acks failed to capitalise on a clear opening soon after the turnaround when Robert Mackay could not convert when put clean through. The tie was sealed with a double from Grant Budge in between a corker of a free kick by Scott Mackay Steven.
The cup has had a high casualty rate for Wick clubs.
Thistle defended doggedly for long spells in their clash with Swifts at the Dammies without causing much in the way of a goal threat. Mark Nichol settled Swifts with a goal after 15 minutes.
Visiting keeper Graeme Williamson was to the fore with a series of outstanding stops, including two when he came out on top of one-on-ones with Nichol.
Thistle's chances were killed off with two goals in the closing 10 minutes. The first was a sublime strike from Jamie MacKenzie after he had made space for himself on the edge of the penalty box, and John Holmes completed the scoring with a well-placed lob.
Wick Groats faded at home to Castletown after a promising opening by the second division leaders.
Castletown opened the scoring through Chris Sutherland with just about their only real chance of the first 45 minutes. Groats kept plugging away and got their reward with a thumping 18-yard strike from Craig Ross in the last play of the half.
Ian MacDonald's men looked more the part after the interval and regained the lead with a marvellous long-range effort from Gavin Henderson. Sutherland added his second 20 minutes from time to seal his side's 3-1 victory.
Francis Street Club also crashed out, going down 6-0 at home to John O'Groats.
A weakened home side managed to reach the interval without conceding, thanks largely to the heroics of stand-in keeper Luke Bunch. But Andy Harper's young side were well and truly taken apart after the interval.
Stuart Sinclair (the elder) took the scoring honours with a hat-trick – two back-post headers and a spanking volley.
The only Wick team to make the last eight were Rovers. They survived a tricky assignment versus Keiss on Wednesday.
Rovers played some silky soccer but time and again fired blanks when it came to the business end. The breakthrough came after 63 minutes when Stevie Reid cashed in on some sloppy defensive work to fire home.
Pentland United's Tony Farquhar (right) and David Blackwood of Halkirk challenge for a high ball during Saturday's Highland Amateur Cup replay. United won 2-0. John Baikie 07789 557586
Keiss almost levelled six minutes from the end when Graham MacNab's drive whizzed marginally wide.
Halkirk returned from the Dammies on Tuesday with a 3-0 win over Thurso Pentland.
An even first half saw Despy Mackay, for Pentland, and Halkirk's Michael Bremner fail to convert the clearest openings.
The home side's hopes were fatally hit by two goals in a minute soon after the turnaround from Graham Swanson and Lee Elder. Elder later headed his second into an unguarded net after a cross by former Pentland man Ian Adamson.
The battle at the top of the County League first division intensified on Wednesday when Pentland United and Swifts drew 1-1. Castletown probably gained most from both their title rivals dropping points.
The visitors took an early lead when ex-United frontman Nichol scored from close range. That was the way it stood at the interval, with Swifts coming under increasing pressure as the game wore on.
Lee Sutherland headed United level and the visitors then survived a strong penalty appeal when Begg went down after a challenge by Blair McIntosh.
Swifts' Jamie MacKenzie was ordered off with three minutes left after being shown a second yellow card.
In the only action in the second division, Francis Street Club moved second top after thrashing Top Joe's 6-0 at Ormlie.
Graham Scollay added to his first-half opener with a cracking half-volley from a Derek Whalley assist. Further strikes came from Brian Reid, an own goal, Grant Mackenzie and Craig Henderson.
Fixtures: Tonight (Friday, 7.30) – County League, Division One: Halkirk v Rovers. Division Two: Lybster v Keiss; Wick Groats v Ashes.
Tomorrow (Saturday) – Dodo and Clair MacLean Memorial Trophy seven-a-side competition (Sir George's Park, 10am).
Monday (7.15) – Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-finals: Ashes v Swifts; Castletown v Rovers; Halkirk v John O'Groats.
Tuesday (7.15) – Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-final: Pentland United v Top Joe's.
Wednesday (7.30) – Division One: Acks v Wick Thistle; John O'Groats v Swifts.
Results – MacLeod IFA Highland Amateur Cup, first round replays: Golspie Stafford 5, Thurso Pentland 1; Halkirk 0, Pentland United 2; Lybster 1, Tongue 2.
County League, Division One: Pentland United 1, Swifts 1. Division Two: Top Joe's 0, FSC 6.
Eain Mackintosh Cup, first round: FSC 0, John O'Groats 6; Lybster 1, Top Joe's 1 (AET – Top Joe's won on penalties); Pentland United 3, Acks 0; Wick Rovers 1, Keiss 0; Swifts 3, Wick Thistle 0; Thurso Pentland 0, Halkirk 3; Wick Groats 1, Castletown 3.
By Iain Grant
Published: 25 May, 2007
THE outcome of this week's Eain Mackintosh Cup tussles has thrown up a David v Goliath quarter-final tie in Dunnet on Monday.
Top Joe's – still searching for their first league point – face the daunting trip to Dunnet to play defending champions Pentland United.
TJ's were celebrating after pulling off their first success of the current campaign with a penalty shoot-out victory in Lybster. The village outfit were firm favourites after racking up a comfortable 4-0 win over TJ's in the league earlier this month.
A windy night saw the visitors stake an early bid to upset the form-book when a good move down the right was finished off by Craig Hollywood.
Lybster had no shortage of possession but their failings in front of goal looked to be terminal to their cause until they grabbed a 88th-minute lifeline through Gareth Miller. With extra-time proving goalless, it was the Thurso men who prevailed 6-5 in the shoot-out.
United had a more comfortable passage in scoring three goals without reply at home to Acks. The Thurso men made a game of it in the first period which finished goalless.
United were almost gifted an early lead when Allan Sutherland's back-pass forced his keeper Brian Mackay into a desperate save via a post. Ex-Ross County player Scott Begg, making his first outing for the Dunnet men, also went close.
Acks failed to capitalise on a clear opening soon after the turnaround when Robert Mackay could not convert when put clean through. The tie was sealed with a double from Grant Budge in between a corker of a free kick by Scott Mackay Steven.
The cup has had a high casualty rate for Wick clubs.
Thistle defended doggedly for long spells in their clash with Swifts at the Dammies without causing much in the way of a goal threat. Mark Nichol settled Swifts with a goal after 15 minutes.
Visiting keeper Graeme Williamson was to the fore with a series of outstanding stops, including two when he came out on top of one-on-ones with Nichol.
Thistle's chances were killed off with two goals in the closing 10 minutes. The first was a sublime strike from Jamie MacKenzie after he had made space for himself on the edge of the penalty box, and John Holmes completed the scoring with a well-placed lob.
Wick Groats faded at home to Castletown after a promising opening by the second division leaders.
Castletown opened the scoring through Chris Sutherland with just about their only real chance of the first 45 minutes. Groats kept plugging away and got their reward with a thumping 18-yard strike from Craig Ross in the last play of the half.
Ian MacDonald's men looked more the part after the interval and regained the lead with a marvellous long-range effort from Gavin Henderson. Sutherland added his second 20 minutes from time to seal his side's 3-1 victory.
Francis Street Club also crashed out, going down 6-0 at home to John O'Groats.
A weakened home side managed to reach the interval without conceding, thanks largely to the heroics of stand-in keeper Luke Bunch. But Andy Harper's young side were well and truly taken apart after the interval.
Stuart Sinclair (the elder) took the scoring honours with a hat-trick – two back-post headers and a spanking volley.
The only Wick team to make the last eight were Rovers. They survived a tricky assignment versus Keiss on Wednesday.
Rovers played some silky soccer but time and again fired blanks when it came to the business end. The breakthrough came after 63 minutes when Stevie Reid cashed in on some sloppy defensive work to fire home.
Pentland United's Tony Farquhar (right) and David Blackwood of Halkirk challenge for a high ball during Saturday's Highland Amateur Cup replay. United won 2-0. John Baikie 07789 557586
Keiss almost levelled six minutes from the end when Graham MacNab's drive whizzed marginally wide.
Halkirk returned from the Dammies on Tuesday with a 3-0 win over Thurso Pentland.
An even first half saw Despy Mackay, for Pentland, and Halkirk's Michael Bremner fail to convert the clearest openings.
The home side's hopes were fatally hit by two goals in a minute soon after the turnaround from Graham Swanson and Lee Elder. Elder later headed his second into an unguarded net after a cross by former Pentland man Ian Adamson.
The battle at the top of the County League first division intensified on Wednesday when Pentland United and Swifts drew 1-1. Castletown probably gained most from both their title rivals dropping points.
The visitors took an early lead when ex-United frontman Nichol scored from close range. That was the way it stood at the interval, with Swifts coming under increasing pressure as the game wore on.
Lee Sutherland headed United level and the visitors then survived a strong penalty appeal when Begg went down after a challenge by Blair McIntosh.
Swifts' Jamie MacKenzie was ordered off with three minutes left after being shown a second yellow card.
In the only action in the second division, Francis Street Club moved second top after thrashing Top Joe's 6-0 at Ormlie.
Graham Scollay added to his first-half opener with a cracking half-volley from a Derek Whalley assist. Further strikes came from Brian Reid, an own goal, Grant Mackenzie and Craig Henderson.
Fixtures: Tonight (Friday, 7.30) – County League, Division One: Halkirk v Rovers. Division Two: Lybster v Keiss; Wick Groats v Ashes.
Tomorrow (Saturday) – Dodo and Clair MacLean Memorial Trophy seven-a-side competition (Sir George's Park, 10am).
Monday (7.15) – Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-finals: Ashes v Swifts; Castletown v Rovers; Halkirk v John O'Groats.
Tuesday (7.15) – Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-final: Pentland United v Top Joe's.
Wednesday (7.30) – Division One: Acks v Wick Thistle; John O'Groats v Swifts.
Results – MacLeod IFA Highland Amateur Cup, first round replays: Golspie Stafford 5, Thurso Pentland 1; Halkirk 0, Pentland United 2; Lybster 1, Tongue 2.
County League, Division One: Pentland United 1, Swifts 1. Division Two: Top Joe's 0, FSC 6.
Eain Mackintosh Cup, first round: FSC 0, John O'Groats 6; Lybster 1, Top Joe's 1 (AET – Top Joe's won on penalties); Pentland United 3, Acks 0; Wick Rovers 1, Keiss 0; Swifts 3, Wick Thistle 0; Thurso Pentland 0, Halkirk 3; Wick Groats 1, Castletown 3.