Lybster manager hails ‘resilient performance’ in stalemate with Staxigoe
Manager Cameron Mackenzie insisted Lybster are “more than capable” of holding their own in the top flight of Caithness summer football after earning a point in a goalless draw with Staxigoe United.
The village outfit won promotion back to Division One at the end of last season and Mackenzie believes they are better equipped than last time they competed at that level, in 2022.
“I wanted us to stick together and we did,” Mackenzie said after Tuesday night’s stalemate at Cow Park. “It had to be a resilient team performance and fair play to the lads, that’s what they did.
“It was a solid performance by everyone and on another night it would have definitely been three points.
“We’ve recruited well, we’re more than capable of holding our own in the top division, and that belief has been instilled throughout the squad. It’s a better start than our last attempts, that’s for sure!”
Mackenzie added that Lybster’s goals for the season will be “to establish ourselves in the top division and enjoy it whilst doing so – and a couple of cup runs would do no harm”.
It was Staxigoe United’s second 0-0 draw this season, the first having come against Castletown. “Both games were tough, against good sides,” manager Colin Sinclair said.
“Defensively we’re strong – bringing in Joe Anderson has helped – but we’re not scoring as many goals as we’d like to. However, we’re making the chances so I’m confident the goals will come.”
Staxigoe were favourites going into Tuesday’s game but the Lybster defence held the visitors off. Lybster created the best chance of the game in the first half with Lewis Gill bombing down the right-hand side, from one end to the other, before hitting a shot that rattled the outside of a post.
Staxigoe continued to apply pressure, with Morgan Kennedy pouncing on a loose ball and finding himself one-on-one with Ryan Bain. Kennedy fired low and hard, forcing a strong save from the keeper.
Best known for his goalscoring exploits with Wick Academy, Gary Weir became playmaker in the second half as he created chances for his Lybster team-mates but to no avail.
Results – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, quarter-finals: Acks 0, Wick Groats 9; Castletown 1, Staxigoe United 3; Halkirk 2, High Ormlie Hotspur 7; Swifts 1, Pentland United 8.
CAFA Division One: Lybster 0, Staxigoe United 0; Wick Groats 2, Castletown 0. Division Two: Keiss 7, Pentland 1; Pentland 1, Top Joe’s 1; Acks 3, Halkirk 1; Watten 0, Keiss 2.
Fixtures – Wednesday, May 8 – CAFA Division One: Pentland United v High Ormlie Hotspur; Wick Thistle v John O’Groats (both 7pm).
Saturday, May 11 – Highland Amateur Cup, round one, north section (3pm unless stated): Golspie Stafford v Inver; Helmsdale United v Brora Wanderers; High Ormlie Hotspur v Keiss (Naver); Lairg Rovers v Tain Thistle; Lochinver v Halkirk; Lybster v Lochbroom; Staxigoe United v Wick Groats (4pm); Top Joe’s v Pentland United (4pm); Watten v Wick Thistle.
Tuesday, May 14 – CAFA Division One: Castletown v Wick Thistle; Pentland United v Wick Groats; Staxigoe United v High Ormlie Hotspur. Division Two: Pentland v Keiss; Watten v Acks (all 7.15pm).
Wednesday, May 15 – CAFA Division One: Lybster v John O'Groats. Division Two: Swifts v Top Joe’s (both 7.15pm).
Friday, May 17 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, semi-final: Pentland United v Staxigoe United (7pm). CAFA Division Two: Keiss v Halkirk (7.15pm).
Saturday, May 18 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, semi-final: High Ormlie Hotspur v Wick Groats (3pm).
