High Ormlie Hotspur ready to push for title after cup successes
High Ormlie Hotspur are setting their sights on a county league title challenge after proving their credentials in cup competitions over the past two years.
They were a few minutes away from beating Wick Groats at Harmsworth Park on Tuesday night only for the reigning Caithness AFA first division champions to salvage a 1-1 draw.
Player/co-manager Ryan Sutherland believes High Ormlie, along with Staxigoe United, can compete with the established big two of Wick Groats and Pentland United.
“Two seasons ago we won the Highland Amateur Cup. Last season we won the Eain Mackintosh Cup,” Sutherland said.
“We seem to be a cup team, but we’re trying to change that and really push for the league this year. I don’t see why we can’t.”
Hotspur have brought in teenage duo Ethan Kevill and Kieran MacGregor, who moved on loan from Ross County to Halkirk United towards the end of the North Caledonian League campaign.
Sutherland said: “I feel the new additions have only made the squad better. We haven’t really lost anybody and there are a few boys still away at university to come back.
“Other teams have said they see us as title challengers.
“I don’t think there is much between the top four teams – us, Pentland United, Wick Groats and Staxigoe. We definitely want to have a better shot at that league and try to go on as many cup runs as we can as well.”
Aidan Reid put High Ormlie ahead from the penalty spot midway through the first half after he had been fouled in the box.
John Budge, last season’s first division player of the year, headed in the equaliser for Wick Groats with about four minutes remaining after a shot from Steven Anderson came off the bar.
Sutherland said: “I thought we defended really well. We knew we were going to come under a bit of pressure, especially against a good Wick Groats side.
“Obviously it’s a young team and it’s pleasing to see how we’re battling against older, more physical and more experienced teams.
“Our main thing is quality on the ball. We’ve got a lot of boys that are really good and can play football.
“Kieran had a really good chance to make it 2-0 with a one-on-one. Our game management could have been a bit better.”
But he added: “I said to the boys, this time last year when we played Wick Groats away we were 4-0 down at half-time. This year we were 1-0 up at half-time and the better team.
“It just shows – a few more additions, boys a year older… I don’t see why we can’t go and push for the title. But there are still a lot of really good teams in there and there’s a long way to go.”
Pentland United hit double figures at home to promoted Lybster, with James Murray and Sean Campbell banging in nine goals between them. Murray helped himself to five, Campbell scored four and Cameron Montgomery got the other as it ended 10-0.
Lybster’s first three games back in the top flight have produced a total of 25 goals. The heavy defeat to the Stabbies came after a 5-1 opening loss to Wick Groats and a 6-3 win against Wick Thistle.
Castletown battled back from two down at home to John O’Groats to emerge with a 2-2 draw.
First-half strikes by Eddie MacGregor and Grant Budge looked to have put JOG in control, but Castletown responded in the second period with headed goals from Benn Murray and Michael Smith.
In the second division, Darryn Mackay scored twice for Swifts in their 4-1 win against Thurso rivals Pentland on Tuesday. Kian Mackay and Bailey Morrison got the others for Swifts, with Pentland’s goal coming from Liam Johnston.
Keiss came from behind to win 2-1 against Halkirk at Recreation Park on Wednesday night. It was Halkirk’s first defeat since returning to the county league.
Alan Larnach put the home side in front but Keiss, runners-up last season, hit back with goals from Tony Miller and Bradley Thomson.
Watten were 2-0 winners at home to Top Joe’s, courtesy of Shane Honeyman and an own goal.
Highland Amateur Cup revised first-round draw, north section (ties on Saturday, May 11): Golspie Stafford v Inver; Helmsdale United v Brora Wanderers; High Ormlie Hotspur v Keiss; Lairg Rovers v Tain Thistle; Lochinver v Halkirk; Lybster v Lochbroom; Staxigoe United v Wick Groats; Top Joe’s v Pentland United; Watten v Wick Thistle.
Results – Saturday – Highland Amateur Cup, preliminary round, north section: Acks 0, Wick Groats 3; Castletown 0, Pentland United 1; John O’Groats 1, High Ormlie Hotspur 5; Thurso Swifts 0, Helmsdale United 1; Wick Thistle 5, Thurso Pentland 0.
Tuesday – CAFA Division One: Castletown 2, John O'Groats 2; Pentland United 10, Lybster 0; Wick Groats 1, High Ormlie Hotspur 1. Division Two: Thurso Pentland 1, Swifts 4.
Wednesday – CAFA Division Two: Halkirk 1, Keiss 2; Watten 2, Top Joe’s 0.
Fixtures – Friday, April 26 – Division One: John O’Groats v Pentland United; Lybster v High Ormlie Hotspur; Wick Thistle v Wick Groats. Division Two: Acks v Swifts (all 6.45pm).
Saturday, April 27 – Division One: Staxigoe United v Castletown. Division Two: Watten v Pentland (3pm, TBC).
Tuesday, April 30 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, round one: Acks v Pentland; High Ormlie Hotspur v Wick Thistle; Watten v Halkirk; Wick Groats v Keiss (all 6.30pm).
Wednesday, May 1 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, round one: Castletown v Lybster; Staxigoe United v John O’Groats; Swifts v Top Joe’s (all 6.30pm).
Quarter-finals on May 3 and 4 (one tie on Friday, three on Saturday).
