There's no stopping Avoch!
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AVOCH powered their way to a fourth Highland Amateur Cup victory in seven years with a clinical 4-0 victory over Wick Groats at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium on Saturday.
The cup holders never looked in danger after they had taken the lead in the second minute thanks to a well-taken goal by Shaun Kerr. Kerr went on to score a hat trick and man-of-the-match Ronnie Jones added a fourth goal in the final minute, as Avoch produced another dazzling display in the final.
Kerr opened the scoring when the Groats defence failed to cut out a long ball from Ross Thomson. The Avoch centre forward raced clear and guided his shot into the far corner of the net. Avoch had to wait until the 70th minute to double their advantage.
Gary Urquhart got on the end of a Jones delivery and his downward header was controlled first time by Kerr, who volleyed the ball into the net. Kerr made it 3-0 five minutes later when he turned his marker and slotted the ball away from close range. Groats were reduced to 10 men in the 85th minute when Grant MacNab was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Avoch finished on a high when Jones rounded off a fine display with a deft chip into the far corner of the net.
Avoch manager, George Patience, who has led the club to all four victories in the competition, told the Ross-shire Journal: "We had a very difficult draw this year, including trips to Stornoway and Dunnet. But the players remained switched on and produced some excellent displays. They are a great bunch of lads."
MARYBURGH reached the Munro Cup final after a dramatic penalty shoot-out against fellow Tulloch Homes Express Ross-shire Amateur League side Fortrose Union at King George V Park on Monday night.
Kennor MacKenzie gave Burgh the lead in the 20th minute and Andrew Miller doubled the advantage ten minutes from the break.
But Rory Patience scored either side of the break to get Fortrose back on level terms.
Kieran Fitzpatrick gave the home side the lead for the first time midway though the second half. Burgh goalkeeper Ali Matheson kept the Fortrose forwards out with a string of super saves and with just five minutes remaining Craig Stuart fired home a late leveller to set up a shoot-out.
Andrew Miller hit the decisive penalty for Burgh as they went through 5-3.
Fixtures – Saturday, August 11 – Larchfield Cup Final – 6pm – Fortrose Union v Maryburgh (at Contin). Monday, August 14 – League Cup quarter-final – 7.30pm – Maryburgh v Muir of Ord Rovers.
