Inver reach third round of Highland Amateur Cup with win over Wick Thistle despite having two men sent off
MANAGER Paul Connolly praised his team’s resilience as Inver progressed to the third round of the Highland Amateur Cup with a 1-0 win at Wick Thistle on Saturday.
Reece Wilson scored the only goal of the game to give them victory in their second round clash at Upper Bignold last weekend.
His goal came in the second half inbetween two sendings off when Jayden Loughlin was red carded in the first half along with Paul Loughlin also receiving his marching orders on the hour mark.
But Inver managed to hold on for victory as they progressed to the last-16 and will face Caithness Second Division outfit Thurso Academicals at Osprey Park on Saturday, June 21.
Connolly says it was an impressive victory for Inver, but admitted that they had to dig deep in the final half hour to secure victory.
He said: “It is a great win for the club and it puts us into the last-16 for the second time in three years. For a club the size of Inver, it is an amazing achievement.
“Wick Thistle were a very good side, but our team showed a real togetherness. Especially after we went down to nine men after the hour mark, you could see the boys really fighting for each other. Being a goal up gave us something to hold on to.
“We battened down the hatches and looked to hold on to what we had. Wick Thistle had a lot of experience in their team, including Craig Gunn and Owen Harrold who have played Highland League, so it was a great result.”
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Inver are the only North-West Sutherland League team remaining in the competition this season. Connolly says while they are looking to represent the league proudly, is only taking the Highland Amateur Cup one game at a time.
“We want to make a good account in the competition for the league as well as ourselves,” he said.
“It is nice to carry the flag for the North West Sutherland League and every team in the division sent us a message to congratulate us on Saturday.”
“We are only taking one round at a time, but I don’t think there will be any team who fancy coming down to Osprey Park to play us.
“If we can keep putting in performances like we did against Wick Thistle on Saturday, I think that we are a match for anyone.
“There are lots of ifs and buts yet, but it is great to still be part of the competition.”
Highland Amateur Cup Second Round Results
Avoch 3 Ferry United 1
Benbecula 1 High Ormlie Hotspurs 6
Dounby Athletic 1 Kirkwall Thorfinn 1 - AET Dounby win 3-2 on Penalties @ Dounby
Fortrose 2 Black Rock 1
Halkirk 1 Carloway 5
Inverness Athletic 6 Fort William Reserves 1
Kirkwall Accies 0 Thurso Academicals 4
Lerwick Spurs 4 Westside FC 1
Maryburgh 6 N.W. Skye 0
Tornagrain 1 Pentland United 5
Watten 1 Staxigoe United 8
Whalsay 6 Portree 0
Wick Thistle 0 Inver 1
Highland Amateur Cup Third Round Draw
Carloway v Fortrose and Rosemarkie Union
East Utd/Barra/Stornoway Athletic v Dounby Athletic
High Ormlie Hotspurs v Staxigoe
Inver v Thurso Academicals
Lerwick Spurs v Maryburgh
Scalloway/Iochdar Saints/Stornoway Utd v Whalsay
Pentland United v Inverness Athletic
Wick Groats/Ck Interiors/Culloden v Avoch
