Pentland United and High Ormlie Hotspur in six-goal thriller
High Ormlie Hotspur showed again that they can hold their own with the county’s established “big two” as they drew 3-3 away to Pentland United.
High Ormlie, who drew 1-1 with champions Wick Groats a couple of weeks ago, were 2-0 up at half-time in Wednesday night’s Division One clash at Ham Park courtesy of Aaron McNicol and Mark Munro.
James Murray reduced the deficit from the penalty spot and the Stabbies looked to have completed the turnaround when Sam Mackay struck twice to make it 3-2. However, Mark Webster’s equaliser ensured a share of the points.
Wick Groats, Pentland United and High Ormlie Hotspur remain unbeaten.
John O’Groats picked up their first league win of the campaign as they beat Wick Thistle 2-1 at a wet Upper Bignold Park.
Jordan Howden’s penalty for JOG was cancelled out by Thistle’s Scott Durrand but Martin Sinclair put the visitors in front again and they held on. The Jags are still seeking their first point after three fixtures.
CAFA league standings – Division One: 1 Wick Groats (played 5, points 13); 2 Pentland United (4, 10); 3 High Ormlie Hotspur (4, 8); 4 John O’Groats (4, 4); 5 Lybster (5, 4); 6 Staxigoe United (3, 2); 7 Castletown (4, 2); 8 Wick Thistle (3, 0).
Division Two: 1 Keiss (played 3, points 9); 2 Swifts (4, 7); 3 Halkirk (4, 6); 4 Watten (4, 6); 5 Acks (3, 5); 6 Top Joe's (4, 2); 7 Pentland (4, 1).
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; Pentland United 3, High Ormlie Hotspur 3; Wick Groats 2, Castletown 0; Wick Thistle 1, John O’Groats 2.
Division Two: Acks 3, Halkirk 1; Keiss 7, Pentland 1; Pentland 1, Top Joe’s 1; Watten 0, Keiss 2.
Fixtures – Saturday, May 11 – Highland Amateur Cup, round one, north section (ties involving Caithness clubs): High Ormlie Hotspur v Keiss (Naver, 3pm); Lochinver v Halkirk (2pm); Lybster v Lochbroom (3pm); Staxigoe United v Wick Groats (Upper Bignold, 4pm); Top Joe’s v Pentland United (Ormlie, 4pm); Watten v Wick Thistle (4pm).
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).
