Promotion is the target for Acks after ‘ideal start’ to league campaign
Promotion is the goal for Thurso Acks this season – and the early signs are promising, having taken maximum points and achieved back-to-back clean sheets in their opening two games in Caithness AFA Division Two.
“It has been the ideal start for us,” player/manager Kyle Innes said after Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over Swifts at the Dammies, a week after their 2-0 win at Watten on the opening night.
“We always seem to be a club that starts quite slowly but this year we’ve really picked up the pace.”
Last season the focus for Acks was on regrouping after they dropped down from the top flight the year before. They had to settle for third place in the table in 2024 but picked up a trophy after a dramatic victory over Keiss in the Steven Cup final.
“It was a rebuild last year and everyone came together really well, and we’ve just built from that,” Innes said.
“The aim is to try and win the second division this year and retain the Steven Cup. I think we’ve got the quality there certainly to be in the running for it.
“There are a few teams in the league that I think will give us a close contest. But our aim is to get up there and go for promotion.”
It was goalless at the Dammies until midway through the second half.
Acks broke the deadlock on 68 minutes when John Hooker looped the ball over keeper Kyle Bain from the right and Mark McCoustra could only help it in at the far post as he tried to make a clearance.
Eleven minutes later Craig Trueman delivered a free kick into the danger zone and Andy Hardwick appeared to get the slightest of touches on it with his head to guide the ball into the net.
Substitute Harvey Labor burst through the Swifts defence to round off the scoring on 83 minutes.
“I felt we were generally in control a lot of the time,” Innes said. “There were certain phases of the game where we were losing the ball and maybe just being a little bit too relaxed, but towards the end of the second half we started to sharpen up a bit.
“I think whoever got the first goal was probably going to be the one that went on to take the game.”
It has been a difficult start for Swifts, last year’s Division Two runners-up, with two league defeats and a Highland Amateur Cup exit – without even a goal to show for their efforts so far.
Manager Asa Sinclair said: “I thought it was an even game. I don’t think either team particularly controlled it.
“We got into dangerous areas a few times and got balls into the box but just couldn’t find a man with it. We’re missing some attacking players and maybe they would have made a difference.
“It’s a very competitive league and there’s a long way to go. In the two league games it has been 0-0 until the last five minutes [against Wick Thistle] and the last 20 or so minutes in this game.
“We can defend well. We just need to try and get that first goal and get the other team on the back foot.”
In Division One, Wick Groats and Staxigoe United shared the points in a 1-1 draw at the Upper Bignold.
Ben Sinclair nodded the ball in to give Groats the lead in the 18th minute, only for Staxigoe to level nine minutes later with a looping header by Cameron Sutherland.
High Ormlie Hotspur came from behind to win 2-1 at Lybster. Alan Steven put the home side in front but Hotspur hit back with goals from James Mackintosh and Ryan Sutherland Snr.
Russell Macintyre, Kerr Mackay and Lewis Gow were on target for Castletown in a 3-1 win against Keiss at Back Park. Tony Miller scored with a free kick for the visitors.
Results – Highland Amateur Cup, north section, preliminary round (ties involving Caithness clubs): Golspie Stafford 3, John O’Groats 4 (after extra time); High Ormlie Hotspur 4, Castletown 0; Staxigoe United 4, Keiss 3; Thurso Swifts 0, Inver 6.
Division One: Castletown 3, Keiss 1; Lybster 1, High Ormlie Hotspur 2; Wick Groats 1, Staxigoe United 1. Division Two: Acks 3, Swifts 0.
Fixtures – Wednesday, April 23 – Division One: John O’Groats v Pentland United. Division Two: Top Joe’s v Watten; Wick Thistle v Halkirk (6.45pm).
Friday, April 25 – Division One: Staxigoe United v Lybster (6.45pm).
Monday, April 28 – Stannergill Cup, first round: Keiss v Castletown; Swifts v Lybster; Wick Groats v Watten (6.30pm).
Tuesday, April 29 – Stannergill Cup, first round: Thurso Pentland v Halkirk; Top Joe’s v High Ormlie Hotspur; Wick Thistle v John O’Groats (6.30pm).
Wednesday, April 30 – Stannergill Cup, first round: Staxigoe United v Acks (6.30pm). Division One: Pentland United v Wick Groats (7pm).
Friday, May 2 – Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v Castletown (7pm).
Highland Amateur Cup, north section, revised first-round draw (ties to be played on Saturday, May 10): Halkirk v Lochbroom; Helmsdale United v Wick Groats; Inver v Dornoch City; John O’Groats v High Ormlie Hotspur; Pentland United v Top Joe’s; Staxigoe United v Brora Wanderers; Thurso Acks v Lochinver; Watten v Thurso Pentland; Wick Thistle v Lybster (3pm).
