Two out of two as champions Pentland United see off John O’Groats
James Murray, last season’s leading goalscorer in Caithness amateur football, got off the mark for the 2025 campaign as Pentland United made it two wins out of two in Division One with a 4-0 victory at John O’Groats on Wednesday night.
Sam Mackay put the champions in front just before half-time. Murray added the second on the hour mark, and further goals followed from Michael “Joe” Steven and Cameron Montgomery.
Wick Thistle continued their winning start in Division Two as they defeated Halkirk 2-1 at the Upper Bignold on Wednesday.
Morgan Kennedy put the Jags ahead inside three minutes. Halkirk’s Shaun Macdonald equalised 10 minutes into the second half but substitute Marc Gunn hit the winner for Thistle with a 70th-minute free kick.
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In Wednesday’s other second division fixture, Watten substitute Tyler Gordon struck midway through the second half to give his side a 1-0 victory over Top Joe’s at Ormlie.
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; John O’Groats 0, Pentland United 4; Wick Groats 1, Staxigoe United 1. Division Two: Acks 3, Swifts 0; Top Joe’s 0, Watten 1; Wick Thistle 2, Halkirk 1.
Fixtures – 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).