Post by Brian Mackay on Aug 13, 2007 7:51:19 GMT
Swifts secure third spot after double-header win
By Iain Grant - iain-grant@ukf.net
Published: 10 August, 2007
SWIFTS clinched third spot in the first division of the County League after overturning a half-time deficit to defeat John O'Groats 4-2 in the last action of the league season.
It completes something of a curate's egg of a campaign for Stevie Reid's men. They were the only team to take points off champions Castletown and were undefeated against both Castletown and runners-up Pentland United.
Too many draws and surprise mid-season reverses to Halkirk and Wick Thistle undermined their title bid.
To overtake Rovers for third place, they needed to defeat John O'Groats in Tuesday night's match, which counted as a double-header. After heavy rain put the Dammies out of commission, the game was switched to Ormlie.
On a miserable night, the village side went in ahead at half-time thanks to a well-struck drive from just outside the box by Dave Green. Soon after the interval, Gavin Bremner equalised with an angled shot.
Nigel MacKenzie shot Swifts in front before Iain Elder sent John Holmes through to make it 3-1 with a composed finish.
The outcome was sealed in spectacular style when a slick move ended with Bremner's volleyed cross being headed home by Graeme Reid. Sean Henstridge got one back near the end but it was too little, too late.
Earlier, Halkirk had moved above John O'Groats into fifth with a 3-1 win over Thurso Pentland at the Dammies.
Paul Mackay put the visitors in front before Lee Elder ran through to net with a fierce drive into the roof of the net. Wheeler McIntyre pulled one back for Pentland to make it 2-1 at the interval.
Halkirk missed a clutch of decent chances before they wrapped up the three points with a second from youngster Mackay 10 minutes from the end.
Wick Groats kept their hopes of a league and cup double on course on Wednesday. Their 2-0 victory over town rivals Francis Street Club made it four wins out of four in their section in the second division Steven Cup.
Andrew Cumming and Calum Swanson got the goals in a low-key encounter. Swanson's strike means all Groats' outfield players have now found the net in a campaign which has seen them score over 100 goals.
Their opponents in the final are Keiss, who progressed after being awarded victories without playing their last two fixtures. Top Joe's and Lybster both conceded the ties. The latter did muster sides to play each other in a rain-soaked match at Lybster which finished 1-1.
The cup final – the last action of the county season – was due to be played under floodlights at Lybster tonight. However, it has been postponed until August 17 because of a clash with the Keiss gala.
Results:
David Allan Shield final: Castletown 0, Swifts 1.
County League, Division One: Swifts 4, John O'Groats 2; Thurso Pentland 1, Halkirk 3.
Steven Cup: FSC 0, Wick Groats 2; Lybster v Keiss w/o; Lybster 1, Top Joe's 1; Top Joe's v Keiss w/o.
By Iain Grant - iain-grant@ukf.net
Published: 10 August, 2007
SWIFTS clinched third spot in the first division of the County League after overturning a half-time deficit to defeat John O'Groats 4-2 in the last action of the league season.
It completes something of a curate's egg of a campaign for Stevie Reid's men. They were the only team to take points off champions Castletown and were undefeated against both Castletown and runners-up Pentland United.
Too many draws and surprise mid-season reverses to Halkirk and Wick Thistle undermined their title bid.
To overtake Rovers for third place, they needed to defeat John O'Groats in Tuesday night's match, which counted as a double-header. After heavy rain put the Dammies out of commission, the game was switched to Ormlie.
On a miserable night, the village side went in ahead at half-time thanks to a well-struck drive from just outside the box by Dave Green. Soon after the interval, Gavin Bremner equalised with an angled shot.
Nigel MacKenzie shot Swifts in front before Iain Elder sent John Holmes through to make it 3-1 with a composed finish.
The outcome was sealed in spectacular style when a slick move ended with Bremner's volleyed cross being headed home by Graeme Reid. Sean Henstridge got one back near the end but it was too little, too late.
Earlier, Halkirk had moved above John O'Groats into fifth with a 3-1 win over Thurso Pentland at the Dammies.
Paul Mackay put the visitors in front before Lee Elder ran through to net with a fierce drive into the roof of the net. Wheeler McIntyre pulled one back for Pentland to make it 2-1 at the interval.
Halkirk missed a clutch of decent chances before they wrapped up the three points with a second from youngster Mackay 10 minutes from the end.
Wick Groats kept their hopes of a league and cup double on course on Wednesday. Their 2-0 victory over town rivals Francis Street Club made it four wins out of four in their section in the second division Steven Cup.
Andrew Cumming and Calum Swanson got the goals in a low-key encounter. Swanson's strike means all Groats' outfield players have now found the net in a campaign which has seen them score over 100 goals.
Their opponents in the final are Keiss, who progressed after being awarded victories without playing their last two fixtures. Top Joe's and Lybster both conceded the ties. The latter did muster sides to play each other in a rain-soaked match at Lybster which finished 1-1.
The cup final – the last action of the county season – was due to be played under floodlights at Lybster tonight. However, it has been postponed until August 17 because of a clash with the Keiss gala.
Results:
David Allan Shield final: Castletown 0, Swifts 1.
County League, Division One: Swifts 4, John O'Groats 2; Thurso Pentland 1, Halkirk 3.
Steven Cup: FSC 0, Wick Groats 2; Lybster v Keiss w/o; Lybster 1, Top Joe's 1; Top Joe's v Keiss w/o.