A new name will be etched on this year’s David Allan Shield this year after the Thurso challenge withered on the vine to set up a final between Castletown and Wick Groats. Castletown recovered from losing an early goal to Swifts to compete a convincing 4-1 eclipse of the 2007 winners. Groats completed a double of away victories though had to rely on a late brace of expertly converted free-kicks by Sandy Sutherland to squeeze through 2-1 versus Acks.

Groats will now vie with Castletown to become the eighth side to get their hands on the trophy since it was presented in 1986 in memory of Thurso hotelier David Allan, a former player with Castletown and Acks.

The game is sure to be a tight affair with both these sides showing good form in the later part of the season. Ironically this final could well have been a repeat of the Highland Amateur Cup final had they not suffered semi final defeats, so both sets of players will be determined to make up for the dissapointment of not making that final and therefore getting their hands on the coveted shield.

The game will take place at the Harmsworth Park, Wick with a 8pm KO.

SWIFTS WIN A SEVEN GOAL CUP THRILLER

JOHN O'GROATS 3 THURSO SWIFTS 4

The latter-day upswing in the fortunes of Swifts continued on Saturday as they celebrated their second county cup victory in three seasons. Stevie Reid’s men triumphed by the odd goal in seven in a free-flowing final on a sweltering afternoon in Halkirk.

John O’Groats paid for a lacklustre start and could count themselves very fortunate to have been just one behind at the break. But the addition of Stuart Sinclair (the elder) to their strikeforce in the second half gave them more bite and ensured the town outfit had to endure a nerve-jangling finale.

Grant Budge came desperately close to levelling right at the death. Had he done so, his side would have seized the initiative going into extra-time. But Groats at least have the consolation of not having relinquished the trophy – their first top-flight piece of silverware – without a real fight.

Swifts looked the slicker, more incisive side early on with Lee MacDougall being given plenty of licence down the left flank. The winger manufactured a stream of inviting crosses which went unrequited. His side went in front on 19 minutes when a free-kick was guided home by Mark Nichol at the far post.

Within five minutes, it was all-square when Mark Munro nipped in between back-tracking defender Shaun Forbes and keeper Graham Miller to score. Swifts’s upper hand on the run of play was rewarded when they went in front again on 28 minutes. A push in the box was spotted by ref Bob Wheatcroft and Nichol comfortably tucked away the penalty.

Grant Campbell was the main creative presence for JOG and he almost fashioned an equaliser shortly afterwards when he sent Martin Sinclair clear. Miller, a late call-up for the Thurso side, reacted smartly to the danger and made a good block with his feet. The half ended with JOG defending a flurry of corners during which MacDougall went close after an earlier effort was cleared off the line.

Swifts went 3-1 up on 54 minutes when Nichol nodded a free-kick across goal to strike partner Des MacLeod who drove home from two yards. A generally good-tempered affair flared up midway through the second half after Campbell required treatment for an injury he sustained in a tackle from Jamie MacKenzie. Martin Sinclair had earlier been booked for a late tackle.

With Stuart Sinclair pushed up front, JOG looked far more menacing and Alan Davis should have reduced the leeway when he missed the target with an unopposed header from a corner. They did get one back on 74 minutes when Campbell ran through to net after rounding the keeper.

They had a couple of half-chances but were back on the rack on 76 minutes when MacDougall’s raking shot from outside the box took a wicked bounce to elude Henderson’s dive and end up nestling in the back of the net.

JOG kept battling away and were given a possible lifeline nine minutes from time when the aftermath to a corner saw Stuart Sinclair (the younger) net with an audacious lob. Swifts steeled themselves for a late onslaught on their goal as their opponents committed to all-out attack mode.

The pressure produced a last-minute run-in for Budge who homed in Miller. His shot appeared to come back off the keeper’s face before being booted clear despite JOG’s appeals that the ball had crossed the line.   It was Swifts’ first success in the 23-year history of the cup.

The match was something of a swansong for Mr Wheatcroft as it will be the last final in his 30-plus year career as a ref in the county. This is the last season for the far north’s longest-serving whistler who is leaving to live in the south of England early next year. As well as being in charge of Saturday’s game, he also presented the annual man-of-the-match trophy in memory of his late daughter Julie. It went to Swifts MacDougall.

John O’Groats – Henderson, Ross, Tait, Davis, Stuart D. Sinclair, Stuart W. Sinclair, Swanson, Campbell, Budge, M. Sinclair, M. Munro.

Subs – Mackay, Campbell, S. Munro, Banks and Green.

Swifts – Miller, A. Robertson, Forbes, Riddell, McIntosh, Petrie, N. MacKenzie, J. MacKenzie, Nichol, MacLeod, MacDougall.

Subs – Warner, Cook, M. Robertson, Trueman and Mill.

Ref – Mr B. Wheatcroft.

Swifts Captain receives the Eain MacIntosh Memorial Cup, which was presented by Eain's Mother Mary.

The first piece of silverware this season will be contested between Thurso Swifts and John O'Groats. Both sides came through though semi final ties earlier this week. John O'Groats edged out Wick Groats with a 2-1 victory, with the winning goal coming in the dying stages of extra time. Current cup holders, John O'Groats will have to defend the Eain MacIntosh Cup against Division 1 leaders Thurso Swifts.

Swifts were forced to work hard for their place in the final as 2nd Divison side Thurso Acks produced a spirited performance against their village rivals. Swifts won the contest 5-3.

The Final will take place this Saturday (27th June) in Halkirk with a 12pm KO. The early KO is due to Halkirk having a HA Cup replay later on in the day as they take on Skye outfit Sleat & Strath. This game KO's at 4pm.

ORKNEY AFA 1 CAITHNESS AFA 2

The run of away victories in the Archer Shield was maintained on Saturday as Caithness returned with the spoils following their day trip to Kirkwall. After having dominated the annual inter-counties throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, the pendulum has started to swing the other way. Since the turn of the century, Orkney have held the historic trophy six times with Saturday’s triumph for the mainland side being their fourth after successes in 2000, 2004 and 2007. Substitute Lee Sutherland bagged the winner midway through the second half shortly after Wick exile Colin Risbridger had levelled Mark Nichol’s first half opener.

John O’Groats management duo Willie Sinclair and Robbie Swanson were delighted with how their squad knitted together so quickly for the match at the Pickaquoy Centre. Skipper Stuart Ross was at the heart of a rock-solid defence while Alan Farquhar and Grant Campbell were vital cogs in a hard- working   side which packed plenty punch in attack. Andy Cumming and Alan Davies were hard-working presences on the flanks while Jimmy Budge and Nichol made life very uncomfortable for the home rearguard.

Orkney were the first to impress with spells of tidy possession play. The first threat to visiting goalkeeper Graeme Williamson came on five minutes when Risbridger’s powerful header from Wayne Monkman’s delivery landed on the roof of the net. Chris Simpson was enjoying success on the wide right beat and he sped clear on 17 minutes only to be thwarted outside the box by a well-timed foot challenge by Williamson.

The momentum built up by the islanders was shattered when they fell behind on 20 minutes. In what was just about the first Caithness attack, Budge did not look favourite to reach Cumming’s long-range prompt down the right touch-line. His perseverance paid off as he nipped in ahead of two outfield defenders before stepping past keeper Davie Leonard. This forced him a yard from the bye-line and the John O’Groats man showed good awareness in sizing up the options before playing the ball across for Nichol to sweep home from six yards.

The goal marked a sea-change in the game with Caithness picking up the tempo and seizing the initiative which Orkney only briefly regained following their equaliser. The visitors almost grabbed a second on 32 minutes when Cumming found Nichol whose low, hard cross was smothered by Leonard, a split second before the inrushing Budge. The hard-working Budge then picked out the unmarked Willie Steven who got in a fankle as he tried to execute a first-time volley. Risbridger and Budge produced decent saves at either end before the interval.

Caithness made a triple substitution at the break with Campbell moving forward to make way for the debut of Staxigoe United young defender Ben Taylor, and Andrew Richardson and Sutherland adding to the new-look midfield.

Risbridger went close with a long-ranger before the hard-working Farquhar set up Richardson for a shot which went narrowly past. The home side drew level when Risbridger – one of two Holm players – was allowed to turn on to a through ball and steer a firm shot between Williamson and his right post.

That sparked a mini-purple patch for the islanders and the Wick Groats keepers did exceptionally well to get his glove-tips to tip Adam Bews’s glancing header over the bar. The winner came on 67minutes when a free-kick was turned across goal by Budge for Pentland United’s Sutherland to flick past Leonard.

Caithness went on to boss the rest of the game with Campbell’s free-kick on 77 minutes inducing a Budge volley which missed the target by a whisker. Orkney did not come near a second equaliser and could have no complaints in relinquishing the trophy, which was handed over to visiting skipper Ross.

Orkney – Leonard, Tait, Bews, Groundwater, Gray, Simpson, Stanger ( Skea 75), Monkman, Miller ( Keldie 48), Berry, Risbridger. Subs (unused) – Harcus, Flett and Bain.

Caithness – Williamson, Campbell, Cumming, Budge, Ross, Bremner ( Taylor h/t), Larnach (Sutherland h/t), Steven ( Richardson h/t), Nichol, Farquhar, Davies.

Ref – Mr S. Linklater.

CAITHNESS U18's LOOSE SHOOT OUT 13th June, 2009

ORKNEY U18's 2 CAITHNESS U18's 2 (Orkney won 4-3 on pens)

Caithness somehow managed to lose Saturday’s annual junior inter-county despite carrying the whip hand for most of Saturday’s encounter. Their failure to convert a handful of glaring opportunities and the loss of two avoidable goals kept Orkney in the hunt and the islanders completed an unlikely victory after prevailing in the penalty shoot-out.

Neither side impressed in a lacklustre first half with Grant and Graham MacNab going closest to scoring for the visitors. Grant’s well-struck 25 yarder produced a smart stop from island keeper Scott Wilson while Graham made space for himself before firing an angled drive just wide.

Orkney’s best attempts were an acrobatic overhead from Neil Aim and Graham Rendall’s lob which was just off-target. Caithness went on to dominate the rest of the game and had enough chances to have the contest wrapped up in the regulation 80 minutes.

Soon after the interval, a smooth link between Graham MacNab and Liam Bremner resulted in an inviting cross rolling invitingly across the face of the goal which found no takers.

The visitors took the lead on 46 minutes when central defender Sean Munro rose unchallenged to convert a corner. Paul Wares, Bremner and David Hale missed clear opportunities as Orkney were in danger of being over-run.

The home side’s threat was confined to desultory raids, one of which required a well-timed intervention from Acks keeper Neal Clark to thwart David Delday. Delday’s willingness to chase a lost cause paid dividends for his side when he ended up being baulked by Clark. The offence looked outside the penalty box but the referee disagreed and Alex Bews took full advantage by slotting home the spot-kick.

Bremner had a decent effort repelled by Wilson while Ross Allan’s move forward from defence yielded a couple of decent strikes on goal. Thorfinn Stout went close at the other end with a dipping free-kick.

A minute from the end of normal time, Grant MacNab scampered in on goal and would have netted but for the faintest of touches from Wilson which was enough to send the ball over the bar.

A minute into extra-time, Allan put Caithness ahead from the penalty spot after Tom Croy levelled Graham MacNab in the box. Allan struck the face of the crossbar with a free-kick on 85 minutes. Orkney took full advantage of the reprieve when they equalised a minute later.

Delday’s determination was again rewarded when he homed in on a long ball which went all the way through to Clark. The keeper’s attempted booted clearance proved abortive as it struck the inrushing striker and rebounded into the goal.

Caithness bombarded the Orkney goal in the second period of extra-time to no avail. Graham MacNab’s rising 25 yarder produced the save of the day from Wilson while Kieran Duffy had a shot headed off the line.

A skirmish near a corner-flag ended with Allan being re-carded after a retaliatory kick at an opponent. That added to earlier bookings for the MacNab brothers and a later caution shown to Croy.

Caithness were looking good in the shoot-out with the MacNabs and Duffy all successful before Alex Bews had his effort blocked by Clark. With Delday and Gary Nicolson both on target, the contest went firmly the home side’s way as Lewis Harrold and Munro both missed in between Hamish Flett’s conversion.

That left the way clear for Kirkwall Rovers and Inverness CT youth player Aidan Drever to wrongfoot Clark to ensure his side got their hands back on the Corinthian Cup.

Orkney – Wilson, Flett, Moffat, Allan, Croy, Aim, Stout, A. Bews ( Drever 85), Delday, Rendall (Nicolson 80), E. Bews. Subs (unused) Craigie and Manson.

Caithness – Clark, Sinclair, Hale (Duffy 57), Steven, Munro, MacKechnie, Grant MacNab, Wares ( Harrold 57), Bremner (Innes 80), Graham MacNab, Allan.

Ref – Mr C. Allaway.

The Annual Inter County clash with Orkney takes place on Sat 13th June. The Caithness men will cross the Pentland Firth looking to retain the Archer Shield, which will be a difficult task against what is ure to be a strong Orkney side. CAFA have opted for the services of John O'Groats management team of Willie SInclair and Robbie Swanson. The Under 19's will be under the control of Wick Groats man Stewart Ross. Squad details will be announced on the website next week. The following travel plans have been put in place:

THURSO PLAYERS to use service bus which leaves at 9.18am from outside the Job Centre.

WICK PLAYERS to use service bus which leaves at 9.40am from High Street opposite Post Office.

ALL OTHER PLAYERS, please note JOHN O'GROATS FERRY LEAVES at 10.30am.

Return Ferry leaves Orkney at 7pm and bus will drop players in WIck, then Thurso. Any queries with travel plans please consult with team managers.

The Under 19's game for the Corinthian Cup will kick off at 12pm, with the senior game having a 3pm kick off. if required extra time and penalties will be used. Good Luck to be both teams.

Staxigoe are to host a festival of football this coming Sunday (7th June). The day-long festival of football at Bignold Park is in tribute to ex-player, teenager Scott Mackenzie , who was killed in a car accident last December. The annual East End youth tournament will be followed by an over-35 veteran’s match between Wick and Thurso at 5 p.m. and a match between United and a Scott Friends XI at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be available throughout the day which will also include a football memorabilia raffle, stalls and novelty attractions. Profits are to go to local youth sides.

Last Sunday CAFA President Murray MacKay and Secretary Angus MacKay attended the Scottish Amateur Cup Final on behalf of the Highland Exectuive Committee. Despite the long journey down to Glasgow, a good day was had where they witnessed a fine game with Queens Park defeating Hulford Thistle 3-1 on a sun soaked Hampden Park. See SAFA website for game details. Whilst there the CAFA men took the opportunity to make a presentation to the SAFA to commemorate the Centenary Year of the Scottish Amatuer Football Assocition. Pictured below is SAFA President Angus MacKay, who is not related to Angus or Murray, but does have Caithness connections as his Grandmother was from Latheron.

L to R: Angus MacKay (CAFA Secretary), Gus MacKay (SAFA President) - Murray MacKay (Highland Executive Chairman)

CAFA have launched a new website for the County league football. Association secretary Angus MacKay said "The county football required a website since a while, now we have this, it gives our football more exposure and lets teams and supporters keep upto date with whats going on. We have our fixtures, results and latest tables on the site, but we hope to expand the site over the season and have it fully up and running by the middle of the season.

Angus has put the site together with the help of Iain Whitehead, known to many due to his involvement with the Highland Amateur Cup and North Caley League. Iain said " I've quickly put together the site in order for people to see fixtures, results etc. Things are busy at the moment with other football commitments so I will do some updates as the season goes on. The main thing is that CAFA now has a website to keep people informed. The site will require some input from the clubs and the general public in order that we can get upto date info, photos etc onto the site. We can also use the site to help with club admin issues and hopefully make things easier for the people running the clubs. It will take time to get everything done, but once people start to view the site they will see what myself and Angus are trying to do".

Anybody with ideas for the website or old team photos, info etc for the history section then please email either Angus or Iain.

angus.mackay@caithnessafa.co.uk ; for football related issues.

iainw@caithnessafa.co.uk ; for any website technical issues/comments.