Keeper turns up late but John O'Groats dominate

The outcome was all the more unexpected given that John O’Groats had to play the first half without their regular keeper. Shaun Henderson, who had got his dates muddled up, got his skates on to appear between the sticks in the second half.

The home side made an early declaration of intent when Grant Budge’s mazy run and cross produced a spectacular volley on the turn which goalkeeper Alan Bokas got a hand to but could not prevent going in.

Just before the turnaround, Stuart Sinclair seized on a loose pass from a visiting defender to score with a snap shot.

Sinclair turned provider minutes into the second half when he played in Liam Brims who cheekily tucked the ball through Bokas’s legs.

Ian Rosie, who had ably stood in for Henderson, made it four when he converted Sean Munro’s assist.

The scoring was rounded off by James Macmillan, who scored direct from a corner.

Wick Groats left it late before getting the better of bottom side Castletown.

After a first-half stalemate, Groats’ hitherto impregnable defence was breached for the first time this season. With 15 minutes remaining, Martyn Cook’s through ball was poked home by triallist Graham Mackay.

The lead lasted a few minutes before Graham MacNab was felled in the box by Greg Macleod and Kyle Ross netted the spot-kick.

The winner came on 85 minutes when MacNab’s diagonal cross cut out an opening for Brian Reid who curled the ball past keeper Lee Kirk.

Like Groats, Pentland United boast a 100 per cent league record, which they extended in style away to Wick Thistle.

Perry Campbell had put the Jags ahead and they were very much at the races until conceding three in three calamitous minutes near the end of the first half.

United went on to coast to a 7-1 win with Polish striker Lukas Gerazel helping himself to four.

The others came from James Murray, Darryn Mackay and Derek Manson.

An under-strength Halkirk caused something of a shock when they inflicted Acks’ first reverse in five games at the Dammies.

The Wildcats scored what proved to be the only goal of the contest within the opening 10 minutes when Graeme Gunn netted with a header from a corner.

Acks were unlucky not to level before the interval when Alan Munro hit a post and Ryan Begg’s free kick rattled back off the crossbar.

Paul Mackay went close for Halkirk with a header as his side threatened on the break.

Acks dominated the closing stages, during which visiting keeper Lee Allan ensured his side won all three points after first making an excellent block from James Watson and then a double stop from Murray Mackintosh and Watson.

Swifts continue to top division two, though Lybster now boast the only 100 per cent record.

Swifts were held to a 1-1 draw by town rivals Pentland on Monday evening.

They went ahead after a misjudgement by Pentland keeper Connor Jackson allowed Liam Wann to stroke home the opener.

Scott Bell had a couple of decent efforts for Pentland before they drew level after Darren Banks was upended in the box and Darren Mackay sunk the spot kick.

Lybster’s barnstorming run continued at Ormlie, though they had to come from behind twice before winning by the odd goal in five.

Ian Smith opened the scoring and Steven Lowe restored Top Joe’s lead after Bobby Gunn replied for the visitors.

Lybster turned things around in the second half with a second from Gunn and a raging 20-yarder from Stefan Sutherland.

The villagers survived Gareth Miller’s sending off to register their fourth win on the spin.

Keiss also maintained their recent good run with a 7-3 home win over Rovers.

Saleem Bremner notched four, with Stuart Crowe and Colin MacKenzie also scoring before Liam Crombie finished off a well-worked move to register his first goal in four years.

Rovers replied through Jamie Durrand, Liam Sutherland and Ciaran Duffy.

Francis Street Club emerged triumphant in a lively scrap at home to Watten. FSC went ahead when Craig Manson and Michael Mackay set up Craig MacNeill to finish from close range.

Calum Shields levelled but the home side won the day when Manson found himself unmarked at the far post to stab home.

Results – Division one: Acks 0, Halkirk 1; Castletown 1, Wick Groats 2; John O’Groats 5, Staxigoe United 0; Wick Thistle 1, Pentland United 7.

Division two: FSC 2, Watten 1; Keiss 7, Rovers 3; Top Joe’s 2, Lybster 3; Thurso Pentland 1, Swifts 1.

Fixtures – Tonight: division two (7.30pm): FSC v Ormlie Hotspurs.

Eain Mackintosh Cup, second round (7.15pm): Lybster v John O’Groats; Wick Thistle v Swifts.

Monday (7.30pm): division two, Rovers v Watten.

Tuesday (7.15pm): Eain Mackintosh Cup semi-finals, Acks or Staxigoe United v Lybster or John O’Groats. Wick Thistle or Swifts v Wick Groats or Castletown.

Wednesday (7.30pm): division two, FSC v Top Joe’s.

Thursday (7.30pm): division one, Halkirk v Wick Thistle. Division two, Ormlie Hotspurs v Keiss; Thurso Pentland v Rovers.