Halkirk show fighting spirit in Highland Amateur Cup comeback
Eight Caithness teams made it through to round two of the Highland Amateur Cup after an action-packed Saturday that included a dramatic comeback from two goals down, a late winner in a seven-goal thriller, a penalty shootout – and a runaway victory for the holders.
Halkirk found themselves 2-0 down at half-time in their clash with Lochbroom at Recreation Park. But they came storming back to win 3-2, with Ally Mackintosh sealing the victory with a late penalty – his second goal of the afternoon.
Owen Lockhart was the other scorer for Halkirk, who will take on Carloway in the next round.
“We’re delighted to get through,” co-manager Michael Bremner said. “We were poor again in the first half, but in the second half we showed the fight we’ve been looking for.
“Hopefully we can push on from this. Ally Mackintosh showed a lot of composure to score the winner from a penalty in the 90th minute.”
Tyler Gordon’s strike with five minutes remaining gave Watten a 4-3 home victory over Thurso Pentland in another entertaining tie.
Watten manager Scott Bremner said: “It’s a brilliant feeling to be through to the next round. It was a real battle – credit to Thurso Pentland, they pushed us all the way and made it a proper cup tie.
“We had to dig deep at times, but the lads showed tremendous character and resilience to get over the line. These are the kinds of games that could go either way, so I’m just proud of the group for sticking together and finding a way to win the game.”
Pentland United, who lifted the trophy last season for a record-extending ninth time, hammered Top Joe’s 14-0 in a mismatch at Ham Park.
James Murray got three of the goals, including a penalty, with the others coming from Sean Munro (2), Michael Petrie (2), Conor Trueman (2), Andy Mackay, Andy Brims (2), Cameron Montgomery and Sean Campbell.
The Stabbies’ co-manager Michael Gray said: “We’re delighted to be through to the second round. It had the potential to be a very difficult afternoon in light of last year’s tussle in Thurso but thankfully the attitude we displayed was spot-on.
“Not everything went according to plan, but the work ethic and relentlessness in our approach was exactly what was needed. We scored some really nice goals with quick interchanges.
“I’d also like to mention Bruce Cormack and his Top Joe’s team. Very few people have the dedication, commitment and longevity he has had over the years, and his team showed tremendous character – working tirelessly throughout and never quitting even when things were going against them.”
The holders are away to Tornagrain next.
Wick Groats, who have won the trophy four times, most recently in 2019, were 3-0 winners away to Helmsdale United. Darren Sheppard, Liam Bremner and Ben Sinclair got the goals.
Manager Kevin Anderson said: “We’re delighted to have progressed. It was never going to be an easy game down there – they are a well-supported team, with some very good players.
“The first half was a tight affair that I felt we slightly edged. In the second half we took more control of the game and thoroughly deserved to go through.”
Wick Groats will be at home to CK Interiors in round two.
In another Caithness/Sutherland tie, Thurso Acks twice came from behind to beat Lochinver 4-2 at the Dammies.
Harvey Labor got the first equaliser and the second arrived when John Hooker nodded the ball in after Olaf Taylor’s shot hit the underside of the bar.
Andy Hardwick headed in the third for Acks and Hooker broke through to make sure of the victory.
Acks will go to Orkney in the next round to face Kirkwall Accies.
Wick Thistle’s tie against Lybster at the Upper Bignold ended 3-3 after extra time and the Jags won the shootout 5-4.
Thistle player/manager Owen Harrold praised his team for digging deep against their top-flight opponents.
“It was a huge relief to get over the line and I’m delighted for the lads to be in the next round,” Harrold said.
“I thought we dictated most of the match but credit to Lybster, they never gave up and battled well to take it all the way to penalties.
“We could have easily collapsed but we dug deep and fought to the end, which was brilliant to see.”
Craig Gunn, Scott Durrand and Sam Barclay were on target for the Jags, while Lybster’s scorers were Andrew Plowman, Greg Mackay and Andrew Sutherland. Thistle held their nerve to convert all five of their spot-kicks.
Thistle will be at home in the next round to Inver – who put 16 goals past Dornoch City in their first-round tie.
There was another all-Caithness encounter at Folke Park where John O’Groats were beaten by High Ormlie Hotspur for the second time in a few days.
High Ormlie, the 2022 Highland Amateur Cup winners, ran out 4-1 winners, following on from their 4-0 league victory.
Mark Munro did most of the damage with a hat-trick, while James Mackintosh got the other for the visitors. Saleem Bremner scored with a free kick for JOG.
Benbecula await High Ormlie in the next round.
Staxigoe United edged out Brora Wanderers in the early kick-off in Wick.
Jack Steven’s goal for Staxigoe separated the sides at the break and Graham MacNab doubled their lead from the penalty spot before the Sutherland side pulled one back.
Staxigoe player/manager Martin Banks said: “It wasn’t our best performance but the main thing is getting through.
“We’re on a decent run but it’s just getting enough players to commit.”
Staxigoe United will go to Watten for the only all-Caithness clash in round two.
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.