Post by Brian Mackay on Jun 6, 2007 12:07:15 GMT
Wick teams lead county's Highland Cup challenge
By Iain Grant - iain-grant@ukf.net
Published: 06 June, 2007
WICK teams are leading the Caithness challenge in this year's MacLeod IFA Highland Amateur Cup.
Rovers and Thistle on Saturday booked their places in the last 16 and they will be joined by town rivals Groats if the latter can prevail in a replay at Contin.
John O'Groats and Swifts also secured impressive victories to bolster the county's presence. The total could yet increase if Pentland United succeed with an appeal following their 1-0 defeat to Mid Lairgs United.
Rovers coasted to a 6-1 win over Orkney visitors St Andrews. Five ahead without reply at the interval, Sanders Harper's men – boosted by the return of keeper Kevin McGee – were able to take the foot off the gas in the second period.
Colin McKiddie had hit the crossbar before their ninth-minute opener, created by Colin Sinclair and converted by Paul MacDonald with a clever chip. A bullet header by Andrew Weir from Lee Lyall's cross was followed midway through the half by a measured finish by MacDonald.
Brothers Bryan and Colin McKiddie combined to set up a tap-in for Weir, who then converted a Sinclair cross for his hat-trick goal.
The Orcadians' industry after the interval was rewarded when they got a goal back after 70 minutes.
Rovers had the final say when Stevie Reid, after spurning two golden chances, did not miss from the spot after a visitor was red-carded for preventing a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Wick Thistle upset the form-book when they consigned Castletown to their first defeat of the season.
Thistle, who won the cup in 2001, surprised the visitors with a pumped-up first-half display at the Harmsworth Park.
Their upper hand was marked by two near-post headers netted by Terry Cannop, both from cracking crosses supplied by Niall Traill. The Thurso-based striker was denied a hat-trick when a third effort was chalked off for offside.
Predictably, Castletown came back strongly after the interval when the home side were pinned in their own territory for long periods. The pressure was rewarded when a raid spearheaded by Graham MacDonald ended with Chris Gunn turning the ball into his own net.
Castletown thought they had levelled when Gavin Henderson's through ball was turned in by Chris Sutherland. But it was adjudged offside and Thistle hung over for a 2-1 win.
Earlier, at the Upper Bignold, Groats and Contin drew 1-1.
John O'Groats prevailed in a wind-ravaged tussle at home to the 1997 winners Kirkwall Rovers. Despite the conditions, the village outfit played some of their best football of the season to run out comfortable 4-0 winners.
Matthew Mackay got the opener following a corner before defender Dave Green doubled the advantage with a long-range drive. The visitors seldom threatened and were killed off by further strikes from Sean Henstridge and Alan Davis.
Swifts' hopes were hanging by a thread away to Golspie Stafford before a late goal rush saw them run out 3-1 winners.
The Sutherland team had the best of the first half and deserved to be ahead through Stephen MacLeod.
Swifts turned the tables on pressure and possession after the interval but they should have been killed off 15 minutes from time. Walter Mackay was sent clear and rounded keeper Brian Mackay only to see his attempted side-foot finish into the empty net come back off the inside of a post.
Swifts took full advantage and within a minute had levelled through Jamie MacKenzie. A cracking strike from Mark Nichol made it 2-1 and then John Holmes added a late third.
Caithness second division side Ashes went down 9-2 away to Gairloch Aultbea United.
Five-times previous winners Pentland United lost out 1-0 in Ardersier against Mid Lairgs United, who play in the Ross-shire amateur league.
The outcome is, however, in doubt after the Dunnet outfit filed a protest. The query concerns the eligibility of defender Gary Cornish, who played for Highland League club Brora Rangers.
Competition secretary Iain Whitehead confirmed yesterday that the appeal is being processed and will be determined by the committee, probably at a meeting this weekend.
Arguably the tie of the round took place in Orkney where defending champions Avoch played the 1988 winners Kirkwall Thorfinn. Avoch, missing a clutch of regulars, were much the happier outfit after the 1-1 draw.
Thorfinn will be short of a handful of players, who are at a wedding, for Saturday's replay on the Black Isle.
The other replay is on Skye where Brora Wanderers, Sutherland's last representatives, will play Kyleakin after Saturday's 2-2 draw. An away tie against John O'Groats awaits the winners.
The other Caithness teams definitely through all face very tough assignments in their respective bids to reach the last eight.
Thistle and Rovers have trips to neutral venues on the west coast to play former winners Lochs and Point respectively. Swifts, meanwhile, will entertain the winners of the Thorfinn/Avoch replay.
Second-round results: Back 0, Point 1; Benbecula 1, Stornoway Athletic 4; Brora Wanderers 2, Kyleakin 2; Dingwall Thistle 4, Fortrose 1; Durness 1, Dounby 3; Gairloch Aultbea United 9, Ashes 2; Golspie Stafford 1, Thurso Swifts 3; John O'Groats 4, Kirkwall Rovers 0; Kirkwall Thorfinn 1, Avoch 1; Mid Lairgs United 1, Pentland United 0; Stromness Athletic 1, Culbokie 6; South End 1, Lochs 6; Tongue United 1, Dunvegan 2; Wick Groats 1, Contin 1; Wick Rovers 6, St Andrews 1; Wick Thistle 2, Castletown 1.
Third-round (ties to be played on Saturday, June 23): Dingwall Thistle v Dunvegan; Dounby Athletic v Gairloch Aultbea United; John O'Groats v Brora Wanderers or Kyleakin; Lochs v Wick Thistle; Stornoway Athletic v Mid Lairgs United; Thurso Swifts v Kirkwall Thorfinn or Avoch; Wick Groats or Contin v Culbokie; Wick Rovers v Point.
By Iain Grant - iain-grant@ukf.net
Published: 06 June, 2007
WICK teams are leading the Caithness challenge in this year's MacLeod IFA Highland Amateur Cup.
Rovers and Thistle on Saturday booked their places in the last 16 and they will be joined by town rivals Groats if the latter can prevail in a replay at Contin.
John O'Groats and Swifts also secured impressive victories to bolster the county's presence. The total could yet increase if Pentland United succeed with an appeal following their 1-0 defeat to Mid Lairgs United.
Rovers coasted to a 6-1 win over Orkney visitors St Andrews. Five ahead without reply at the interval, Sanders Harper's men – boosted by the return of keeper Kevin McGee – were able to take the foot off the gas in the second period.
Colin McKiddie had hit the crossbar before their ninth-minute opener, created by Colin Sinclair and converted by Paul MacDonald with a clever chip. A bullet header by Andrew Weir from Lee Lyall's cross was followed midway through the half by a measured finish by MacDonald.
Brothers Bryan and Colin McKiddie combined to set up a tap-in for Weir, who then converted a Sinclair cross for his hat-trick goal.
The Orcadians' industry after the interval was rewarded when they got a goal back after 70 minutes.
Rovers had the final say when Stevie Reid, after spurning two golden chances, did not miss from the spot after a visitor was red-carded for preventing a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Wick Thistle upset the form-book when they consigned Castletown to their first defeat of the season.
Thistle, who won the cup in 2001, surprised the visitors with a pumped-up first-half display at the Harmsworth Park.
Their upper hand was marked by two near-post headers netted by Terry Cannop, both from cracking crosses supplied by Niall Traill. The Thurso-based striker was denied a hat-trick when a third effort was chalked off for offside.
Predictably, Castletown came back strongly after the interval when the home side were pinned in their own territory for long periods. The pressure was rewarded when a raid spearheaded by Graham MacDonald ended with Chris Gunn turning the ball into his own net.
Castletown thought they had levelled when Gavin Henderson's through ball was turned in by Chris Sutherland. But it was adjudged offside and Thistle hung over for a 2-1 win.
Earlier, at the Upper Bignold, Groats and Contin drew 1-1.
John O'Groats prevailed in a wind-ravaged tussle at home to the 1997 winners Kirkwall Rovers. Despite the conditions, the village outfit played some of their best football of the season to run out comfortable 4-0 winners.
Matthew Mackay got the opener following a corner before defender Dave Green doubled the advantage with a long-range drive. The visitors seldom threatened and were killed off by further strikes from Sean Henstridge and Alan Davis.
Swifts' hopes were hanging by a thread away to Golspie Stafford before a late goal rush saw them run out 3-1 winners.
The Sutherland team had the best of the first half and deserved to be ahead through Stephen MacLeod.
Swifts turned the tables on pressure and possession after the interval but they should have been killed off 15 minutes from time. Walter Mackay was sent clear and rounded keeper Brian Mackay only to see his attempted side-foot finish into the empty net come back off the inside of a post.
Swifts took full advantage and within a minute had levelled through Jamie MacKenzie. A cracking strike from Mark Nichol made it 2-1 and then John Holmes added a late third.
Caithness second division side Ashes went down 9-2 away to Gairloch Aultbea United.
Five-times previous winners Pentland United lost out 1-0 in Ardersier against Mid Lairgs United, who play in the Ross-shire amateur league.
The outcome is, however, in doubt after the Dunnet outfit filed a protest. The query concerns the eligibility of defender Gary Cornish, who played for Highland League club Brora Rangers.
Competition secretary Iain Whitehead confirmed yesterday that the appeal is being processed and will be determined by the committee, probably at a meeting this weekend.
Arguably the tie of the round took place in Orkney where defending champions Avoch played the 1988 winners Kirkwall Thorfinn. Avoch, missing a clutch of regulars, were much the happier outfit after the 1-1 draw.
Thorfinn will be short of a handful of players, who are at a wedding, for Saturday's replay on the Black Isle.
The other replay is on Skye where Brora Wanderers, Sutherland's last representatives, will play Kyleakin after Saturday's 2-2 draw. An away tie against John O'Groats awaits the winners.
The other Caithness teams definitely through all face very tough assignments in their respective bids to reach the last eight.
Thistle and Rovers have trips to neutral venues on the west coast to play former winners Lochs and Point respectively. Swifts, meanwhile, will entertain the winners of the Thorfinn/Avoch replay.
Second-round results: Back 0, Point 1; Benbecula 1, Stornoway Athletic 4; Brora Wanderers 2, Kyleakin 2; Dingwall Thistle 4, Fortrose 1; Durness 1, Dounby 3; Gairloch Aultbea United 9, Ashes 2; Golspie Stafford 1, Thurso Swifts 3; John O'Groats 4, Kirkwall Rovers 0; Kirkwall Thorfinn 1, Avoch 1; Mid Lairgs United 1, Pentland United 0; Stromness Athletic 1, Culbokie 6; South End 1, Lochs 6; Tongue United 1, Dunvegan 2; Wick Groats 1, Contin 1; Wick Rovers 6, St Andrews 1; Wick Thistle 2, Castletown 1.
Third-round (ties to be played on Saturday, June 23): Dingwall Thistle v Dunvegan; Dounby Athletic v Gairloch Aultbea United; John O'Groats v Brora Wanderers or Kyleakin; Lochs v Wick Thistle; Stornoway Athletic v Mid Lairgs United; Thurso Swifts v Kirkwall Thorfinn or Avoch; Wick Groats or Contin v Culbokie; Wick Rovers v Point.