Post by Brian Mackay on May 23, 2007 22:02:03 GMT
United face Mid Lairg trip after replay victory
By Iain Grant - iain-grant@ukf.net
Published: 23 May, 2007
PENTLAND United on Saturday maintained their lengthy unbeaten record against fellow county sides in the Highland Amateur Cup.
They prevailed 2-0 in their first-round replay away to Halkirk after the teams had shared four goals in Dunnet the previous week.
Halkirk saw plenty of the ball but created very few chances in a goalless first half. Pentland United's Scott Mackay Steven missed the best opportunity when he headed wide from close in.
United stepped up a gear after the interval and broke the deadlock soon after the turnaround with a cracking free kick from Scott Mackay Steven.
Home keeper Stuart McCulloch kept his side's hopes alive with a fingertip save from a Brian Gray header.
That was the way it stood until a late penalty converted by Willie Inrig.
In the two other replays involving Caithness sides, both succumbed to Sutherland opposition.
Thurso Pentland missed a great opportunity to get the better of east Sutherland kingpins Golspie Stafford when they let a 3-1 lead in the first match in Thurso slip away after conceding two late goals. Stafford got off to a flying start on Saturday, going 2-0 up within 15 minutes. Pentland got one back before half-time and had chances to equalise before conceding two quick goals after the break.
A further strike completed a 5-1 win which certainly flattered the home side.
Lybster, meanwhile, went down 2-1 in their replay at home to Tongue.
The north Sutherland outfit cashed in on a sloppy piece of defending early on to take the lead in a match which was spoiled by a blustery wind. A second for Tongue on the hour mark put them firmly in control.
Liam Mackay of Halkirk (left) tries to stop the progress of Pentland United's Martin Bain during Saturday's Highland Amateur Cup replay. John Baikie 07789 557586
But Lybster battled back and went on to dominate the rest of the match. They missed a couple of decent chances before Alan Larnach netted with a peach of a 30-yard free kick.
In the other replay on Skye, Kyleakin came through with something to spare after thrashing fellow island side Struan 8-0.
Sunday's second-round draw was more than kind to the three remaining Wick sides, who all got home ties. The town will stage the only all-Caithness clash, with Thistle hosting Castletown.
Groats face Ross-shire outfit Contin, while Rovers and John O'Groats both entertain Orkney opposition. Pentland United are away to Mid Lairg United.
Thurso pair Swifts and Ashes also hit the road, the former facing Golspie Stafford and Ashes making the long hike to Gairloch. Tasty-looking ties elsewhere include the Western Isles clash of South End and Lochs and Kirkwall Thorfinn's home game versus Avoch.
Second round (to be played on Saturday, June 2): Back v Point; Benbecula v Stornoway Athletic; Brora Wanderers v Kyleakin; Dingwall Thistle v Fortrose; Durness v Dounby; Gairloch Aultbea United v Ashes; Golspie Stafford v Thurso Swifts; John O'Groats v Kirkwall Rovers; Kirkwall Thorfinn v Avoch; Mid Lairg United v Pentland United; Stromness Athletic v Culbokie; South End v Lochs; Tongue United v Dunvegan; Wick Groats v Contin; Wick Rovers v St Andrews; Wick Thistle v Castletown.
By Iain Grant - iain-grant@ukf.net
Published: 23 May, 2007
PENTLAND United on Saturday maintained their lengthy unbeaten record against fellow county sides in the Highland Amateur Cup.
They prevailed 2-0 in their first-round replay away to Halkirk after the teams had shared four goals in Dunnet the previous week.
Halkirk saw plenty of the ball but created very few chances in a goalless first half. Pentland United's Scott Mackay Steven missed the best opportunity when he headed wide from close in.
United stepped up a gear after the interval and broke the deadlock soon after the turnaround with a cracking free kick from Scott Mackay Steven.
Home keeper Stuart McCulloch kept his side's hopes alive with a fingertip save from a Brian Gray header.
That was the way it stood until a late penalty converted by Willie Inrig.
In the two other replays involving Caithness sides, both succumbed to Sutherland opposition.
Thurso Pentland missed a great opportunity to get the better of east Sutherland kingpins Golspie Stafford when they let a 3-1 lead in the first match in Thurso slip away after conceding two late goals. Stafford got off to a flying start on Saturday, going 2-0 up within 15 minutes. Pentland got one back before half-time and had chances to equalise before conceding two quick goals after the break.
A further strike completed a 5-1 win which certainly flattered the home side.
Lybster, meanwhile, went down 2-1 in their replay at home to Tongue.
The north Sutherland outfit cashed in on a sloppy piece of defending early on to take the lead in a match which was spoiled by a blustery wind. A second for Tongue on the hour mark put them firmly in control.
Liam Mackay of Halkirk (left) tries to stop the progress of Pentland United's Martin Bain during Saturday's Highland Amateur Cup replay. John Baikie 07789 557586
But Lybster battled back and went on to dominate the rest of the match. They missed a couple of decent chances before Alan Larnach netted with a peach of a 30-yard free kick.
In the other replay on Skye, Kyleakin came through with something to spare after thrashing fellow island side Struan 8-0.
Sunday's second-round draw was more than kind to the three remaining Wick sides, who all got home ties. The town will stage the only all-Caithness clash, with Thistle hosting Castletown.
Groats face Ross-shire outfit Contin, while Rovers and John O'Groats both entertain Orkney opposition. Pentland United are away to Mid Lairg United.
Thurso pair Swifts and Ashes also hit the road, the former facing Golspie Stafford and Ashes making the long hike to Gairloch. Tasty-looking ties elsewhere include the Western Isles clash of South End and Lochs and Kirkwall Thorfinn's home game versus Avoch.
Second round (to be played on Saturday, June 2): Back v Point; Benbecula v Stornoway Athletic; Brora Wanderers v Kyleakin; Dingwall Thistle v Fortrose; Durness v Dounby; Gairloch Aultbea United v Ashes; Golspie Stafford v Thurso Swifts; John O'Groats v Kirkwall Rovers; Kirkwall Thorfinn v Avoch; Mid Lairg United v Pentland United; Stromness Athletic v Culbokie; South End v Lochs; Tongue United v Dunvegan; Wick Groats v Contin; Wick Rovers v St Andrews; Wick Thistle v Castletown.