Avoch face player crisis for Highland Amateur Cup semi final
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AVOCH manager Martyn MacAllister may be forced to pull on his boots for the first time in over a year when his side face Staxigoe United in the Highland Amateur Cup semi final at Golspie’s King George V Park tomorrow.
Six-time winners Avoch are down to the “bare bones” for the clash against Staxigoe who they beat in the 2017 final 2-1 at Dudgeon Park in Brora.
The Black Isle side will be without the suspended Shaun Kerr and Martin MacDonald, while Arron Christie, Jordan Knight, Ken Morrison are all ineligible.
Sinclair Patience is also unavailable, while Kyle MacDonald is injured.
MacAllister, who has won the cup five times with Avoch, made his last appearance against Lerwick Spurs in last year’s semi final.
“As things are, it looks like I will be playing in this one – we are down to the bare bones,” he said.
“But the boys who are left will be right up for it.”
Avoch started their Highland Amateur Cup campaign with a 3–0 win over Culloden Blacksmiths.
They were given a tougher examination when they edged Contin 3–2 in the second round.
Avoch were given a bye in the third round after Lewis and Harris team Ness pulled out of the competition.
In the quarter finals, Avoch came from behind to defeat Sleat and Strath 2–1 at Coronation Park.
Rhys Shewan levelled the game and Struan McArthur scored the winner to set up the last-four clash.
Staxigoe warmed up for tomorrow’s game with a 4–2 win over Thurso Acks and are third in the Caithness Premier League
Avoch are the only non-Caithness team left in the competition as Wick Groats and Pentland United meet at Castletown in the other semi final.
Groats have had the upper-hand between the teams this season domestically but United, who are record eight-time winners of the trophy, will fancy their chances of going all the way again.
