Post by Brian Mackay on Apr 15, 2005 20:04:11 GMT
from The JOG Journal website
Joy for John O'Groats as champions are beaten
IT was party time in John O'Groats on Wednesday night after they scored a first-ever County League win against local rivals Pentland United.
What made the 2-1 victory sweeter was that it was achieved at Ham Park, which the defending John O'Groat Journal first division title-holders have turned into a fortress in recent years.
The visitors did ride their luck in surviving a second-half pummelling but they showed both pluck and composure in repelling the onslaught.
John O'Groats took the lead with their first attack when youngster Michael Steven fired past Michael Gray.
Steven then contrived to score at the other end, deflecting Luke Cassidy's shot past keeper Sean Henderson.
United went close a couple of times but they fell behind in the first action of the second half when Hamish Boyd sliced a clearance high into the roof of his own net.
It was backs-to-the-wall stuff for much of the remainder of the game, with John O'Groats having sterling service from defensive anchors Stuart Sinclair and David Green.
Henderson also pulled off a couple of outstanding saves, with Russell Beattie passing up a great chance to equalise when he shot past when clean through.
A black night for the champions was compounded late on with Ross Sutherland's red card for a second booking.
Acks, meanwhile, survived a downpour and the challenge of Castletown to gain a 3-0 opening win at the Dammies.
The youthful visiting outfit were starting to gain confidence when they were floored by the awarding of two penalties in five minutes towards the end of the first half. Both involved David MacGill challenging Murray Coghill, and Castletown could count themselves hard done by, especially by the second judgement.
Alan Murray tucked away both spotkicks to put his side in the driving seat.
Veteran keeper Stuart MacKechnie pulled off a string of fine saves to keep his side in contention.
Castletown's best effort came midway through the second half when Alan Farquhar's drive from outside the box produced a fine reaction save from former Castletown keeper Brian Mackay.
Acks scored a third late on when Murray crossed for substitute Lee Mackay to net from close in.
The other winners in Division One were Wick Thistle, though they had a less-than-comfortable passage in Lybster.
In a night of own goals, Thistle forged in front when an attempted clearance from a corner by home defender Ryan Miller ended up in the back of the net.
A fingertip save by Lybster keeper Lee Sutherland prevented Neil McColl giving Thistle a second goal which would have reflected their first-half dominance.
Lybster came back strongly after the break and there were decent chances at both ends before they fell further behind thanks to a scuffed effort by Sandy Sutherland.
The latter then had a decent effort well saved by Lee Sutherland before Lybster hit back with a goal from lanky striker Jimmy Budge.
Lybster then came desperately close to levelling in the final minute. Grant Budge, who earlier had a penalty claim turned down, was set free but was unable to find a way past keeper James Richard.
At Wick, it was stalemate as Rovers and newly-promoted Groats ought out a goalless draw.
Rovers were perhaps the best pleased with the point, given their current horrendous injury list which led to keeper Kevin McGee being fielded outside. The closest to a goal came near the end when ex-Keiss frontman Chris MacLeod thumped a shot off the Groats crossbar.
In the second division, Pentland and Swifts had to settle for a point apiece in the first Thurso derby of the season on Tuesday.
Swifts enjoyed the better of the first half and deservedly led by a well-taken volley from Des MacLeod after Anson Robertson had created the opening.
Pentland hit back strongly after the break, with Phil Makhouli and Gary Hamilton going close before Sean Moodie equalised direct from a windassisted corner with eight minutes remaining.
Keiss were helped by the return of old stagers Kenny Cormack and Angus Mackay to get their campaign off to a flyer with a 4-2 win away to Francis Street Club. James Ross had the pick of the goals with his controlled half-volley putting Keiss 2-1 up.
Davy Duff levelled before the break but the villagers were not to be denied and claimed all three points with two second-half goals.
Halkirk breezed to a 5-1 win in Watten over Mid County, while Top Joe's squeezed home 4-3 at Ormlie against town rivals Thurso Thistle.
Tonight's tussle between Wick Thistle and John O'Groats is going ahead at the Upper Bignold. It was scheduled to be an away game for Thistle but the village park has undergone repairs and is not yet fit for use.
Results - John O'Groat Journal County League, Division One: Acks 3, Castletown 0; Lybster 1, Wick Thistle 2;
Pentland United 1, John O'Groats 2;
Wick Rovers 0, Wick Groats 0.
Division Two: FSC 2, Keiss 4; Mid County 1, Halkirk 5; Thurso Pentland 1, Swifts 1; Top Joe's 4, Thurso Thistle 3.
Fixtures: Tonight (6.45) - County League, Division One: Castletown v Ashes; Wick Thistle v John O'Groats. Division Two: Swifts v Top Joe's.
Monday (6.45) - Division One: Ashes v Acks;
Castletown v John O'Groats; Wick Thistle v Wick Groats. Division Two: Halkirk v Workshops; Keiss v Mid County.
Tuesday (6.45) - Division Two: Thurso Thistle v Thurso Pentland.
Wednesday (6.45) - Division One: Ashes v Pentland United; Rovers v Lybster. Division Two:
Swifts v FSC.
15/04/2005
Joy for John O'Groats as champions are beaten
IT was party time in John O'Groats on Wednesday night after they scored a first-ever County League win against local rivals Pentland United.
What made the 2-1 victory sweeter was that it was achieved at Ham Park, which the defending John O'Groat Journal first division title-holders have turned into a fortress in recent years.
The visitors did ride their luck in surviving a second-half pummelling but they showed both pluck and composure in repelling the onslaught.
John O'Groats took the lead with their first attack when youngster Michael Steven fired past Michael Gray.
Steven then contrived to score at the other end, deflecting Luke Cassidy's shot past keeper Sean Henderson.
United went close a couple of times but they fell behind in the first action of the second half when Hamish Boyd sliced a clearance high into the roof of his own net.
It was backs-to-the-wall stuff for much of the remainder of the game, with John O'Groats having sterling service from defensive anchors Stuart Sinclair and David Green.
Henderson also pulled off a couple of outstanding saves, with Russell Beattie passing up a great chance to equalise when he shot past when clean through.
A black night for the champions was compounded late on with Ross Sutherland's red card for a second booking.
Acks, meanwhile, survived a downpour and the challenge of Castletown to gain a 3-0 opening win at the Dammies.
The youthful visiting outfit were starting to gain confidence when they were floored by the awarding of two penalties in five minutes towards the end of the first half. Both involved David MacGill challenging Murray Coghill, and Castletown could count themselves hard done by, especially by the second judgement.
Alan Murray tucked away both spotkicks to put his side in the driving seat.
Veteran keeper Stuart MacKechnie pulled off a string of fine saves to keep his side in contention.
Castletown's best effort came midway through the second half when Alan Farquhar's drive from outside the box produced a fine reaction save from former Castletown keeper Brian Mackay.
Acks scored a third late on when Murray crossed for substitute Lee Mackay to net from close in.
The other winners in Division One were Wick Thistle, though they had a less-than-comfortable passage in Lybster.
In a night of own goals, Thistle forged in front when an attempted clearance from a corner by home defender Ryan Miller ended up in the back of the net.
A fingertip save by Lybster keeper Lee Sutherland prevented Neil McColl giving Thistle a second goal which would have reflected their first-half dominance.
Lybster came back strongly after the break and there were decent chances at both ends before they fell further behind thanks to a scuffed effort by Sandy Sutherland.
The latter then had a decent effort well saved by Lee Sutherland before Lybster hit back with a goal from lanky striker Jimmy Budge.
Lybster then came desperately close to levelling in the final minute. Grant Budge, who earlier had a penalty claim turned down, was set free but was unable to find a way past keeper James Richard.
At Wick, it was stalemate as Rovers and newly-promoted Groats ought out a goalless draw.
Rovers were perhaps the best pleased with the point, given their current horrendous injury list which led to keeper Kevin McGee being fielded outside. The closest to a goal came near the end when ex-Keiss frontman Chris MacLeod thumped a shot off the Groats crossbar.
In the second division, Pentland and Swifts had to settle for a point apiece in the first Thurso derby of the season on Tuesday.
Swifts enjoyed the better of the first half and deservedly led by a well-taken volley from Des MacLeod after Anson Robertson had created the opening.
Pentland hit back strongly after the break, with Phil Makhouli and Gary Hamilton going close before Sean Moodie equalised direct from a windassisted corner with eight minutes remaining.
Keiss were helped by the return of old stagers Kenny Cormack and Angus Mackay to get their campaign off to a flyer with a 4-2 win away to Francis Street Club. James Ross had the pick of the goals with his controlled half-volley putting Keiss 2-1 up.
Davy Duff levelled before the break but the villagers were not to be denied and claimed all three points with two second-half goals.
Halkirk breezed to a 5-1 win in Watten over Mid County, while Top Joe's squeezed home 4-3 at Ormlie against town rivals Thurso Thistle.
Tonight's tussle between Wick Thistle and John O'Groats is going ahead at the Upper Bignold. It was scheduled to be an away game for Thistle but the village park has undergone repairs and is not yet fit for use.
Results - John O'Groat Journal County League, Division One: Acks 3, Castletown 0; Lybster 1, Wick Thistle 2;
Pentland United 1, John O'Groats 2;
Wick Rovers 0, Wick Groats 0.
Division Two: FSC 2, Keiss 4; Mid County 1, Halkirk 5; Thurso Pentland 1, Swifts 1; Top Joe's 4, Thurso Thistle 3.
Fixtures: Tonight (6.45) - County League, Division One: Castletown v Ashes; Wick Thistle v John O'Groats. Division Two: Swifts v Top Joe's.
Monday (6.45) - Division One: Ashes v Acks;
Castletown v John O'Groats; Wick Thistle v Wick Groats. Division Two: Halkirk v Workshops; Keiss v Mid County.
Tuesday (6.45) - Division Two: Thurso Thistle v Thurso Pentland.
Wednesday (6.45) - Division One: Ashes v Pentland United; Rovers v Lybster. Division Two:
Swifts v FSC.
15/04/2005