‘Brilliant effort’ as Acks progress to Highland Amateur Cup second round
Player/manager Kyle Innes hailed a “brilliant effort” by Acks after their comeback victory over Lochinver in the Highland Amateur Cup.
The Thurso side twice came from behind at the Dammies on Saturday to win 4-2 and secure a second-round trip to Orkney where they will face Kirkwall Accies.
“Overall it was a really hard-fought game against a very tough Lochinver side,” Innes said.
“They made things incredibly difficult all over the pitch, and with the surface condition it certainly didn’t help our playing style.
“We were unlucky not to take the lead in the first half but instead ended up going in 1-0 down. We created a couple of great chances but luck wasn’t on our side.
“Credit to the lads, though, they stuck at it.
“Harvey Labor, Andrew Hardwick and John Hooker all got on the scoresheet once again and were brilliant on the day, as was the entire team.
“It was a brilliant effort and I’m delighted for the squad getting the job done and putting us into the next round.”
Labor fired home the first equaliser and the second arrived when Hooker nodded the ball in after Olaf Taylor’s shot had come down off the underside of the bar.
Hardwick headed in the third for Acks and Hooker broke through to make sure of the victory.
Acks are one of eight Caithness teams that have progressed to round two of the tournament. In a sign of the continuing strength of Caithness amateur football, the majority of second division teams – four out of seven – have made it through.
They are Acks, Halkirk, Watten and Wick Thistle. They are joined in the second round by Division One sides High Ormlie Hotspur, Wick Groats and Staxigoe United along with the holders Pentland United.
Results – Highland Amateur Cup, north section, first round: Halkirk 3, Lochbroom 2; Helmsdale United 0, Wick Groats 3; Inver 16, Dornoch City 1; John O’Groats 1, High Ormlie Hotspur 4; Pentland United 14, Top Joe’s 0; Staxigoe United 2, Brora Wanderers 1; Thurso Acks 4, Lochinver 2; Watten 4, Thurso Pentland 3; Wick Thistle 3, Lybster 3 (after extra time – Thistle won 5-4 on penalties).
Highland Amateur Cup second-round draw (ties to be played on Saturday, May 31): Avoch v Ferry United; Benbecula v High Ormlie Hotspur; Dounby Athletic v Kirkwall Thorfinn; East United v Barra; Fortrose v Black Rock Rovers; Halkirk v Carloway; Inverness Athletic v Fort William Reserves; Kirkwall Accies v Thurso Acks; Lerwick Spurs v Westside; Maryburgh v North West Skye; Scalloway v Iochdar Saints; Tornagrain v Pentland United; Watten v Staxigoe United; Whalsay v Portree; Wick Groats v CK Interiors; Wick Thistle v Inver.
Fixtures – Tuesday, May 13 – Caithness AFA Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v Pentland United; Keiss v Wick Groats; Lybster v Castletown; Staxigoe United v John O’Groats (all 7.15pm).
Wednesday, May 14 – Division Two: Acks v Thurso Pentland (7.15pm).
Friday, May 16 – Stannergill Cup, quarter-finals: Castletown v John O’Groats; Halkirk v Pentland United; Swifts v Wick Groats; Staxigoe United v High Ormlie Hotspur (all 7pm).
Saturday, May 17 – SWF Highlands and Islands League Cup: Caithness v Sutherland (venue and kick-off TBC); Clachnacuddin v Shetland.