North of Scotland Cup 1st Round Roundup
Parcels Cup
Academy suffered a hugely disappointing 2-1 defeat in
David Kirkwood's first home game in charge as Halkirk United proved to be the
surprise package of the newly renamed AJG Parcels North of Scotland Cup.
The Scorries,
beaten finalists in last year's tournament, never really got into their stride
against the North Caledonian League champions – an experienced and
well-organised side featuring a clutch of ex-Wick players.
Too many Academy
moves broke down in the Halkirk half as the visitors worked hard to deny them
space.
Unconvincing though
they had been throughout Tuesday night's first-round tie, Kirkwood's men looked
to have taken a step towards the quarter-finals when Sam Mackay coolly slotted
home the opening goal on the hour mark after being played in by Richard
Macadie.
However, Halkirk's
new recruit Davie Cowie came back to haunt his former club with 10 minutes to
go when he latched on to a through ball from Alan Larnach and placed it beyond
Alan Bokas.
Sensing the game
was there for the taking, Halkirk stepped up their efforts and substitute Paul
Mackay grabbed the winner. He popped up unmarked at the far post to nod home a
teasing right-wing cross from Nigel Mackenzie.
It could have been
a different story if frontmen Gary Weir and David Allan had been available for
selection, or if Macadie had taken advantage of an early opportunity when the
ball invitingly just inside the box but he volleyed it over the top. In truth,
though, Academy could have no complaints as Halkirk deserved their victory.
The Scorries, very
much unaccustomed to making an early exit from this competition, were left to
lick their wounds and regroup for the start of the league campaign.
The match was
delayed for a lengthy spell in the first half after Halkirk's Grant MacNab
slumped to the ground with an injury. He was stretchered off after receiving
treatment on the pitch.
Academy's new boss
David Kirkwood vowed to make changes for the Highland League opener against
Clach in the aftermath of the North of Scotland Cup upset at the hands of
Halkirk United on Tuesday night.
"That won't be the same team that will be playing on
Saturday," Kirkwood said following the 2-1 loss to the North Caledonian League
champions at Harmsworth Park.
"We defeated ourselves. We were one goal up but lacked
composure when in control of the ball.
"When teams are in the lead, they should be more calm
than we were. It is still a learning curve as I've only had four games so far
and we're still in the process of change.
"You want to start the season on a positive note, but
maybe this was the wake-up call that we needed. There needs to be more
variation – width, length and depth. Pretty, five-yard football doesn't get you
first prize, not even second prize.
"These things take time, but some of these players
don't have time because they have to fit in to a way of play that produces
results."
Halkirk manager Jocky Mackay was full of praise for
his players and said the result was also a victory for the North Caledonian
League.
"It was an absolutely superb night for Halkirk
United," he said. "You could not fault the boys for their workrate – they kept
their shape and composure.
"Wick had a lot of possession in the first half but we
were the only side that seemed to create chances. Even going a goal down in the
second half, the players kept their cool and went about getting the win."
Halkirk's reward is
a home tie against Clach, who eased to a 4-1 away victory over another North
Caledonian side, Golspie, on Wednesday.
Gordon Morrison put
the Lilywhites ahead just after the half-hour mark and Chris Ross doubled their
lead early in the second period. Colin Williamson and Alan Pollock added
further strikes for the Inverness side before Golspie's Shaun Kerr got a
consolation goal with a spot-kick.
Rothes beat
Lossiemouth 4-2 on penalties after the other Wednesday night tie ended 1-1 at
full-time. Ross Archibald had put the Coasters in front shortly before
half-time only for Kris Duncan to level things up around the hour mark.
The Speysiders'
keeper Ricky Horne pulled off saves from Kevin Grant and Craig Morrison in the
shoot-out while all four Rothes penalties were successful. Michael Dunn netted
the decisive kick to set up a quarter-final tie at home to the holders, Forres
Mechanics.
The Can-Cans had
edged out Fort William 4-3 in their first-round tie at Claggan Park on Tuesday.
Fort took an early lead through a Sean Grant free kick
but Lee Fraser hit a quick-fire double for the visitors and Gary Tweedie added
their third before the interval.
Scott Moore extended the lead before Fort mounted a
late fightback. Davie Forbes reduced the deficit and Sean Ellis fired in a
superb free kick, but Forres held on for the win.
Brora Rangers secured a quarter-final meeting with
Caley Thistle after a comfortable 4-1 victory at Thurso on Saturday.
Goals by Liam Baxter and Alex Macleod had the Cattachs
two up at the break, and Ally Macdonald extended their lead midway through the
second half. Michael Petrie quickly pulled one back for the North Caledonian
League outfit but Brora had the final say as Ross Grant rounded off the scoring
from the penalty spot.
Revised
quarter-final draw (ties to be played on August 9th/10th)
– North section: Brora Rangers v Inverness Caley Thistle; Halkirk United v
Clach.
South section:
Nairn County v Strathspey Thistle; Rothes v Forres Mechanics.
