report from Iain Grant
Caithness overcome Orkney in Archer Shield
Orkney 1, Caithness 2
Published: 17 June, 2009
THE run of away victories in the Archer Shield was maintained on Saturday as Caithness returned with the spoils following their day trip to Kirkwall.
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Since the turn of the century, Orkney have held the historic trophy six times with Saturday's triumph for the mainland side being their fourth after successes in 2000, 2004 and 2007.
Substitute Lee Sutherland bagged the winner midway through the second half shortly after Wick exile Colin Risbridger had levelled Mark Nichol's first-half opener.
John O'Groats management duo Willie Sinclair and Robbie Swanson were delighted with how their squad knitted together so quickly for the match at the Pickaquoy Centre.
Skipper Stewart Ross was at the heart of a rock-solid defence while Alan Farquhar and Grant Campbell were vital cogs in a hard-working side which packed plenty punch in attack.
Andy Cumming and Alan Davies were hard-working presences on the flanks while Jimmy Budge and Nichol made life very uncomfortable for the home rearguard.
Orkney were the first to impress with spells of tidy possession play.
The first threat to visiting goalkeeper Graeme Williamson came on five minutes when Risbridger's powerful header from Wayne Monkman's delivery landed on the roof of the net.
Chris Simpson was enjoying success on the wide right beat and he sped clear on 17 minutes only to be thwarted outside the box by a well-timed foot challenge by Williamson.
The momentum built up by the islanders was shattered when they fell behind on 20 minutes.
In what was just about the first Caithness attack, Budge did not look favourite to reach Cumming's long-range prompt down the right touchline.
His perseverance paid off as he nipped in ahead of two outfield defenders before stepping past keeper Davie Leonard.
This forced him a yard from the by-line and the John O'Groats man showed good awareness in sizing up the options before playing the ball across for Nichol to sweep home from six yards.
The goal marked a sea change in the game with Caithness picking up the tempo and seizing the initiative which Orkney only briefly regained following their equaliser.
The visitors almost grabbed a second on 32 minutes when Cumming found Nichol whose low, hard cross was smothered by Leonard a split second before the inrushing Budge.
The Caithness team pictured with the Archer Shield following their 2-1 victory against Orkney on Saturday. Rae Slater
The hard-working Budge then picked out the unmarked Willie Steven who got in a fankle as he tried to execute a first-time volley.
Caithness made a triple substitution at the break with Campbell moving forward to make way for the debut of Staxigoe United young defender Ben Taylor, and Andrew Richardson and Sutherland adding to the new-look midfield.
Risbridger went close with a long-ranger before the hard-working Farquhar set up Richardson for a shot which went narrowly past.
The home side drew level when Risbridger – one of two Holm players – was allowed to turn on to a through ball and steer a firm shot between Williamson and his right post.
That sparked a mini purple patch for the islanders and the Wick Groats keeper did exceptionally well to tip Adam Bews' glancing header over the bar.
The winner came on 67 minutes when a free kick was turned across goal by Budge for Pentland United's Sutherland to flick past Leonard.
Caithness went on to boss the rest of the game with Campbell's free kick on 77 minutes inducing a Budge volley which missed the target by a whisker.
Orkney did not come near a second equaliser and could have no complaints in relinquishing the trophy It was handed over to visiting skipper Ross.
Orkney: Leonard, Tait, Bews, Groundwater, Gray, Simpson, Stanger (Skea 75), Monkman, Miller (Keldie 48), Berry, Risbridger. Subs not used: Harcus, Flett and Bain.
Caithness: Williamson, Campbell, Cumming, Budge, Ross, Bremner (Taylor h/t), Larnach (Sutherland h/t), Steven (Richardson h/t), Nichol, Farquhar, Davies.
Referee: S. Linklater.
iain-grant@ukf.net
picture of the winning Caithness side here -
www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/images/6760.photo.3.jpg 
