Caithness (winter) Football Fixtures - Sat 16th April 2005

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Football Times Cup Semi-final
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Thurso V Golspie Sutherland at Sir Georges Park, Thurso

2.30 p.m k.o

winners play Balintore in the final, on Saturday 23rd April 2005 at Dudgeon Park, Brora

Scotads Highland League
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Wick Academy v Rothes at Harmsworth Park, Wick - 3 p.m

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Football Times Cup Semi-final
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Thurso 2 V Golspie Sutherland 2 at Sir Georges Park, Thurso

Thurso goals by Shaun Moar (2)

Golspie won 5-4 on pens a.e.t and now play Balintore in the final at Brora next weekend.

Scotads Highland League
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Wick Academy 4 v Rothes 2 at Harmsworth Park, Wick - 3 p.m

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Wick Academy 4 V Rothes 2 - from this afternoon

Wick pick up crucial 3 points - 16-Apr-2005 - report from www.highlandleague.net

Rothes traveled to Wick today on the back of two straight wins, their best run of the season lifting them level with the Scorries on the nine point mark, just one behind Brora Rangers. Rothes attacked this game from the get go and just 14 minutes in found themselves cursing their luck. A Chris Henderson cross from the right saw Martin McGregor send the ball out for a corner. The resulting corner saw Ewan Grant rise above everybody but somehow the ball crept past the far post.

Wick however took the lead thanks to great timing from Gary Weir. Nigel McKenzie found himself all alone on the right and swung it in towards the penalty spot. Gary Weir timed his run perfectly to meet the ball and strike a half volley into the bottom left hand corner past Darren Strong.

Wick looked to double their advantage through Gary Weir just before the half hour mark. Martin McGregor sent a high ball over the Rothes defence, which Weir was able to latch on to. Weir then attempted to round the keeper but Darren Strong held his ground and saved well with his legs to the dismay of the Wick striker.

The away team were able to get back on level in a controversial penalty decision. Both sets of fans and players were left with mouths wide open as referee Scott MacDonald stopped a Wick attack to consult with his standside linesman. After a brief discussion the referee called over both Rothes’ Andrew McKinnon and Wick’s Paul McCallum. The bewildered stadium watched as both McKinnon and McCallum were shown the yellow card before the referee pointed to the spot. Mark Hamilton made sure that he didn’t waste this opportunity and hammered the ball high into the left hand corner of the net.

Wick took only nine minutes to get themselves back in front as Craig Shearer showed his striking prowess once again. Paul McCallum received the ball inside the Rothes half and then sent the ball forward. Craig Shearer latched on to the pass before sliding it under the keeper from ten yards out to send the home fans into raptures as the teams headed in for half time.

On the 68th minute Wick increased their lead thanks to a delicate lob from Martin Gunn. Graeme Reid nodded the ball down to Nigel McKenzie on the half way line who sent a long through ball to Martin Gunn. Gunn then took the ball down before dinking it over the on-rushing Darren Strong and into the back of the net.

Less than 60 seconds later Andrew Macleod more or less wrapped up the victory for the home side. Gary Manson found himself wide on the right before sending a cross to the penalty spot and Macleod bulleted a header into the back of the net.

The game took and unexpected turn in the 74th minute when Don MacMillan received a perfectly innocent pass back. The keeper, however, obviously fancied himself as an out-fielder and tried to take the ball around on-coming Ewan Grant. When Macmillan realised that he couldn’t quite make it he swung to clear the ball but missed and took out Grant in the process.

The referee wasted no time in producing the red card and pointing to the spot for the second time today. Mark Hamilton stepped up once again but this time he choose the bottom right corner to send stand-in goalkeeper Andrew Macleod the wrong way.

Full Time: Wick Academy 4 Rothes 2
Reporter: Alan Farquhar