No room for slip-ups as Orkney look to clinch first title

Orkney need to win their final league match of the season against Bunillidh Thistle to be sure of clinching their first North Caledonian League title.

With defending champions Invergordon a point behind with one game left to play the islanders have no room for any slip ups.

Invergordon host Thurso at the Recreation Grounds in their final league fixture.

The Easter Ross side will be without defender Arron Christie, who is still struggling with a hamstring injury but Daniel Christie has returned from holiday.

Inverness Athletic expect to be at full strength for their Jock MacKay semifinal tie against St Duthus at Pavilion Park.

Athletic manager, Shane Carling said: “We will need to work hard as a team to have a chance of winning.”

It is a case of four in, four out for Saints. Barry Kenny, Lewis Ross, Martyn Farquhar and Glenn Fell all miss out due to work but Jon Campbell, Scott Miller, Liam Rostock and Ewan Ross are available.

The Inverness and District Amateur League kicked off this week with a couple of upsets.

Newly promoted Maryburgh defeated defending champions Avoch 2-1 at Maryburgh. Goals in the first half from Liam Muir and Russell MacInytre set Burgh up for the win.

Gordon Finlayson pulled one back from the penalty spot early in the second half but there were no more goals as ‘Burgh picked up the points.

Another promoted side NMM Sam’s defeated ANM Ace 2-1 at Bught Park.

After a goal-less first half, goals from John McLaughlin and Mark MacKenzie put Sam’s in the driving seat before Alan Fraser scored late on for Ace.

Loch Ness duo, Phil MacDonald and Johnny Hewitt scored two goals apiece in an impressive 5-1 win over Inverness Thistle.

Lonut Sea netted Thistle.

A Chris MacLeod cracker earned Police the points in a 2-1 win against Culbokie.

Aidan Grant also scored for Police, while Grant Smith netted for Culbokie. for

Ardersier and newly promoted IRN Security could not be separated in a 1-1 draw at Cromal Park, IRN’s Chris Moir cancelling out a Kieran Fraser opener.