Avoch end seven year wait for title as they are crowned league champions
AVOCH have been crowned Inverness and District Amateur Premiership champions for the first time in seven years.
The Ross-shire club clinched the title with one game remaining as they won 5-0 at Ardersier.
The title will return to Coronation Park for the first time since 2017 after an impressive campaign saw them cruise to the title.
Craig Lawrie, Kyle Lawrie, James Ross, Keith Mason and Ian Penwright got the goals which gave Avoch the Premiership trophy.
Manager Martyn Macallister says the result capped off a dominant campaign for Avoch and says he is proud of his players.
“It has been seven years since we won the league and it has been long overdue,” he said.
“It has been a long time coming and shouldn’t have taken as long as that.
“But it is great to get the league title back.
“Apart from losing to Maryburgh and drawing with Ardersier, we have been relentless in the league this season and in my eyes deservedly.
“If we win our remaining match, we will finish at least six points clear of everyone.
“I am delighted for the boys as they are a cracking group and they deserve it.”
Macallister says a 2-1 victory over 2023 champions Maryburgh early in the campaign, gave his team the confidence to go on a dominant run of victories which led to them winning the title.
“Winning at Maryburgh in the second game of the season gave us the platform to build on.
“We didn’t look back after that during the first half of the season.”
”I think we won six out of seven matches in the first half of the season and managed to build up a gap.
“Because of the start, we had the gap with Maryburgh and Inverness Athletic dropping points. At the start of the season I thought it would be tight so it was really pleasing to win it the way we did.”
Avoch are now turning their attention to the biggest prize in Highland amateur football, as they attempt to defend the Highland Amateur Cup.
They will take on Thurso outfit High Ormlie Hotspur in the semi final at Tain on Saturday, August 3.
One of the few negative aspects of this season has been Avoch’s performances in cup competitions.
They lost to Inverness Athletic in the Premier Cup final 2-1 at Muir of Ord in June.
They then suffered a shock 1-0 Association Cup quarter final exit to Culbokie at Coronation Park.
Macallister says he has told the players that they have underperformed in cup competitions this season. But that he is confident they can make it up by being in contention to win the Highland Amateur Cup for what would be a record equalling eighth time with Pentland United.
He said: “Our cup performances are the only thing that has been disappointing this season and that is something which we will have to put right next year.
“But we are still looking forward to the Highland Amateur Cup semi final and the boys are buzzing for that match.”
