Post by Brian Mackay on May 25, 2009 4:34:53 GMT
Petrie at the double for high-flying Swifts - By Iain Grant - iain-grant@ukf.net
Published: 22 May, 2009
HIGH-flying Swifts boast the County League's only 100 per cent record after reeling off five wins on the bounce to lead the first division.
Monday's battling 2-1 victory at the Dammies over the previously undefeated Wick Groats was the perfect pick-me-up after their Highland Amateur Cup exit at the weekend.
In the first half, a home win looked a distant prospect as Groats dominated with their attractive brand of neat, patient build-up play and rapier attacks. Asa Sinclair was called upon to pull off a series of blocks and reaction stops to deny Sandy Sutherland and new signing Alan Larnach.
It was a minute before the interval that Groats deservedly went ahead. Kyle Ross skipped down the right and held off two challenges as he veered infield before cracking an angled drive behind a stunned Sinclair.
The celebrations were barely over when Swifts drew level. John Holmes released Michael Petrie, who fired home from the right corner of the 18-yard box.
Swifts saw much more of the play after the interval and a drive from Mark Nichol whizzed just over the bar.
Larnach went close and Holmes headed a net-bound effort off the line before Swifts grabbed the winner with less than 10 minutes left.
Nichol's cross was played by James Mill into the path of the unmarked Petrie, who fired past keeper Graeme Williamson.
Groats substitute Derek Shearer was unable to convert two half-chances late on to grab a point for his side.
A serious-looking ankle injury marred Tuesday's clash between Castletown and Pentland United, which finished goalless.
United captain Joe Steven's awkward fall after challenging Alan Farquhar for the ball left him facing another lengthy spell out. The game was held up for 20 minutes in the first half while an ambulance was summoned to take the former Brora Rangers defender to hospital.
Castletown enjoyed the lion's share of possession before the interval, though they struggled to create many openings.
Chris Sutherland was needed to effect a goal-line clearance to prevent Tony Farquhar heading United in front from a corner.
Sutherland then had a "goal" ruled offside before going close again when he exchanged passes with Farquhar and had his shot well saved by Michael Gray.
Second-half play was largely confined to a congested midfield. Steven Morris's long-ranger was United's best attempt, while Scott Mackay Steven screwed a shot wide when he should have done better after good work by Sutherland.
Wick Rovers got their first win of the campaign after coming from behind to defeat bottom side Thurso Pentland at the Upper Bignold.
Pentland keeper Fraser Swanson pulled off smart saves early on from both Mark Bremner and Stuart Duffy.
The Thurso men went ahead after 15 minutes when Michael Foubister posted their first goal of the county season with a header following the messy sequel to a corner.
Lewis Harrold and Alan Sinclair went close for Rovers and Lee Lyall was denied by Swanson to retain Pentland's lead until the turnaround.
The visitors were dealt a major blow when Andrew Richardson's collision with Harry Hourston left him requiring stitches for a nasty head gash.
Rovers equalised after 57 minutes courtesy of a well-executed 30-yard chip by Stevie Reid.
The same player came close to scoring again before Euan Jappy struck on 72 minutes with an effort that took a wicked stot off the ground to evade the clutch of Swanson.
Reid grabbed his second 10 minutes from time with a penalty.
John O'Groats continued their recovery from a poor start to the season with a 2-1 home victory over Halkirk on Monday.
John O'Groats went ahead direct from a corner as Martin Sinclair's wind-assisted delivery eluded everyone.
Midway through the second period, Lee Elder was floored in the penalty box and Gavin Bremner took the chance to equalise from the spot.
The home side spurned the chance to go ahead by the same means when Lee Allan kept out Grant Budge's penalty.
Allan undid his good work shortly afterwards when he fluffed a clearance straight to Sean Henstridge, who kept his cool to fire home what proved the winner.
The Wildcats ended the game with 10 men when youngster Paul Mackay was somewhat harshly shown red for a foul on Stuart Sinclair the elder.
Acks briefly went top of the second division on Tuesday after a 3-0 win at home to Francis Street Club.
Steven Miller and Colin MacDonald combined to set up Kyle Innes for the goal that separated the teams at the break after earlier shots from MacDonald and Paul Wares had struck the bar.
Chris Wann went close early in the second half before Innes struck again on the hour mark with a cracking 25-yarder that went in off the inside of the left post.
Wann made the game safe with the third after a mistake by visiting keeper Andrew Harper.
Twenty-four hours later, Staxigoe reclaimed pole position with a 6-2 victory over Keiss on a sodden Lower Bignold.
A cloudburst shortly before kick-off led to United's backroom team sweeping lying water off the pitch.
The team was soon laying siege to the Keiss goal and strikes from Liam Bremner and Colin Sinclair saw them seize the early initiative.
Dean Salim got one back but goals either side of the interval by Peter Niwa and Graham MacNab had Staxigoe on easy street.
Luke Sawyer restored their three-goal advantage after a Roy Weir o.g. before Grant MacNab netted the pick of the bunch with a wonderful solo effort.
Keiss had earlier suffered their first defeat of the campaign when they conceded late on to go down 1-0 away to Francis Street Club.
The villagers saw plenty of the ball but failed to create much at the business end.
FSC came close to taking a first-half lead when Craig Henderson's crossfield pass to Nathan Mackay ended with the latter's stinging shot forcing an excellent save from James Richard. The keeper went on to make another full-length stop to deny Henderson.
However, he was powerless to prevent FSC taking all three points after scoring in the aftermath of a corner with just two minutes left.
Henderson returned a half-clearance into the mix and Mackay was on hand to sweep the ball low into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Four goals by Steven Lowe could not earn Top Joe's their first victory as they were held to a 4-4 draw at home to Lybster on Tuesday. TJ's were never behind and Lowe's fourth looked to have clinched it for them, only for the young visitors to battle back again to equalise late on.
Results:
MacLeod IFA Highland Amateur Cup, first-round replay – Castletown 3, Swifts 3 (AET – Castletown won 5-4 on penalties).
County League, Division One – Castletown 0, Pentland United 0; John O'Groats 2, Halkirk 1; Wick Rovers 3, Thurso Pentland 1; Swifts 2, Wick Groats 1.
County League, Division Two – Acks 3, FSC 0; FSC 1, Keiss 0; Staxigoe United 6, Keiss 2; Top Joe's 4, Lybster 4.
Fixtures:
Tonight (7.15) – County League, Division Two: Lybster v Wick Thistle.
Monday (7.15) – Division One: Halkirk v Rovers; Thurso Pentland v John O'Groats.
Tuesday (7.15) – Division One: Pentland United v Swifts. Division Two: Staxigoe United v Acks.
Wednesday (7.15) – Division One: Wick Groats v Castletown.
Published: 22 May, 2009
HIGH-flying Swifts boast the County League's only 100 per cent record after reeling off five wins on the bounce to lead the first division.
Monday's battling 2-1 victory at the Dammies over the previously undefeated Wick Groats was the perfect pick-me-up after their Highland Amateur Cup exit at the weekend.
In the first half, a home win looked a distant prospect as Groats dominated with their attractive brand of neat, patient build-up play and rapier attacks. Asa Sinclair was called upon to pull off a series of blocks and reaction stops to deny Sandy Sutherland and new signing Alan Larnach.
It was a minute before the interval that Groats deservedly went ahead. Kyle Ross skipped down the right and held off two challenges as he veered infield before cracking an angled drive behind a stunned Sinclair.
The celebrations were barely over when Swifts drew level. John Holmes released Michael Petrie, who fired home from the right corner of the 18-yard box.
Swifts saw much more of the play after the interval and a drive from Mark Nichol whizzed just over the bar.
Larnach went close and Holmes headed a net-bound effort off the line before Swifts grabbed the winner with less than 10 minutes left.
Nichol's cross was played by James Mill into the path of the unmarked Petrie, who fired past keeper Graeme Williamson.
Groats substitute Derek Shearer was unable to convert two half-chances late on to grab a point for his side.
A serious-looking ankle injury marred Tuesday's clash between Castletown and Pentland United, which finished goalless.
United captain Joe Steven's awkward fall after challenging Alan Farquhar for the ball left him facing another lengthy spell out. The game was held up for 20 minutes in the first half while an ambulance was summoned to take the former Brora Rangers defender to hospital.
Castletown enjoyed the lion's share of possession before the interval, though they struggled to create many openings.
Chris Sutherland was needed to effect a goal-line clearance to prevent Tony Farquhar heading United in front from a corner.
Sutherland then had a "goal" ruled offside before going close again when he exchanged passes with Farquhar and had his shot well saved by Michael Gray.
Second-half play was largely confined to a congested midfield. Steven Morris's long-ranger was United's best attempt, while Scott Mackay Steven screwed a shot wide when he should have done better after good work by Sutherland.
Wick Rovers got their first win of the campaign after coming from behind to defeat bottom side Thurso Pentland at the Upper Bignold.
Pentland keeper Fraser Swanson pulled off smart saves early on from both Mark Bremner and Stuart Duffy.
The Thurso men went ahead after 15 minutes when Michael Foubister posted their first goal of the county season with a header following the messy sequel to a corner.
Lewis Harrold and Alan Sinclair went close for Rovers and Lee Lyall was denied by Swanson to retain Pentland's lead until the turnaround.
The visitors were dealt a major blow when Andrew Richardson's collision with Harry Hourston left him requiring stitches for a nasty head gash.
Rovers equalised after 57 minutes courtesy of a well-executed 30-yard chip by Stevie Reid.
The same player came close to scoring again before Euan Jappy struck on 72 minutes with an effort that took a wicked stot off the ground to evade the clutch of Swanson.
Reid grabbed his second 10 minutes from time with a penalty.
John O'Groats continued their recovery from a poor start to the season with a 2-1 home victory over Halkirk on Monday.
John O'Groats went ahead direct from a corner as Martin Sinclair's wind-assisted delivery eluded everyone.
Midway through the second period, Lee Elder was floored in the penalty box and Gavin Bremner took the chance to equalise from the spot.
The home side spurned the chance to go ahead by the same means when Lee Allan kept out Grant Budge's penalty.
Allan undid his good work shortly afterwards when he fluffed a clearance straight to Sean Henstridge, who kept his cool to fire home what proved the winner.
The Wildcats ended the game with 10 men when youngster Paul Mackay was somewhat harshly shown red for a foul on Stuart Sinclair the elder.
Acks briefly went top of the second division on Tuesday after a 3-0 win at home to Francis Street Club.
Steven Miller and Colin MacDonald combined to set up Kyle Innes for the goal that separated the teams at the break after earlier shots from MacDonald and Paul Wares had struck the bar.
Chris Wann went close early in the second half before Innes struck again on the hour mark with a cracking 25-yarder that went in off the inside of the left post.
Wann made the game safe with the third after a mistake by visiting keeper Andrew Harper.
Twenty-four hours later, Staxigoe reclaimed pole position with a 6-2 victory over Keiss on a sodden Lower Bignold.
A cloudburst shortly before kick-off led to United's backroom team sweeping lying water off the pitch.
The team was soon laying siege to the Keiss goal and strikes from Liam Bremner and Colin Sinclair saw them seize the early initiative.
Dean Salim got one back but goals either side of the interval by Peter Niwa and Graham MacNab had Staxigoe on easy street.
Luke Sawyer restored their three-goal advantage after a Roy Weir o.g. before Grant MacNab netted the pick of the bunch with a wonderful solo effort.
Keiss had earlier suffered their first defeat of the campaign when they conceded late on to go down 1-0 away to Francis Street Club.
The villagers saw plenty of the ball but failed to create much at the business end.
FSC came close to taking a first-half lead when Craig Henderson's crossfield pass to Nathan Mackay ended with the latter's stinging shot forcing an excellent save from James Richard. The keeper went on to make another full-length stop to deny Henderson.
However, he was powerless to prevent FSC taking all three points after scoring in the aftermath of a corner with just two minutes left.
Henderson returned a half-clearance into the mix and Mackay was on hand to sweep the ball low into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Four goals by Steven Lowe could not earn Top Joe's their first victory as they were held to a 4-4 draw at home to Lybster on Tuesday. TJ's were never behind and Lowe's fourth looked to have clinched it for them, only for the young visitors to battle back again to equalise late on.
Results:
MacLeod IFA Highland Amateur Cup, first-round replay – Castletown 3, Swifts 3 (AET – Castletown won 5-4 on penalties).
County League, Division One – Castletown 0, Pentland United 0; John O'Groats 2, Halkirk 1; Wick Rovers 3, Thurso Pentland 1; Swifts 2, Wick Groats 1.
County League, Division Two – Acks 3, FSC 0; FSC 1, Keiss 0; Staxigoe United 6, Keiss 2; Top Joe's 4, Lybster 4.
Fixtures:
Tonight (7.15) – County League, Division Two: Lybster v Wick Thistle.
Monday (7.15) – Division One: Halkirk v Rovers; Thurso Pentland v John O'Groats.
Tuesday (7.15) – Division One: Pentland United v Swifts. Division Two: Staxigoe United v Acks.
Wednesday (7.15) – Division One: Wick Groats v Castletown.