WICK HOPE TO KEEP FIRM GRIP ON CUP

Highland Amateur Cup holders Wick Groats start the defence of the trophy with a first round tie against North Section opponents Dornoch City at The Meadows on Saturday.

The Caithness club and four-time winners, who last won the trophy in 2019, will be hot favourites to progress.

In the Northern Section, two-time winners Kirkwall Thorfinn travel to play Dounby, having beaten them 4-0 in the Orkney A League in midweek.

In the South Section, Inverness Premier League side Avoch, six-time winners of the trophy, face first division Drakies PDG.

Tonight in the Western Isles, Ness, who have won the trophy on four occasions, host Point, winners in 1994, at Fivepenny (7pm).

Highland Amateur Cup first round – North Section – Top Joes v Pentland United; Lochinver v Thurso Pentland; Thurso Academicals v Golspie Stafford, Staxigoe United v Thurso Swifts; Watten v Keiss; Lybster v Wick Thistle; Inver v Lairg Rovers; Helmsdale United v High Ormlie Hotspurs; Dornoch City v Wick Groats; Lochbroom v John O’Groats. South Section – Black Rock Rovers v Mallaig; Fortrose and Rosemarkie Union v Gellions; IRN Security v North West Skye; Loch Ness v Inverness Athletic; Sleat and Strath v Balloan; Highland Athletic v Black Isle United; Maryburgh v Culloden Blacksmiths; Portree v Highland Hospice; Avoch v Drakies PDG; Conon Bridge v Ness City; NMM Sam’s v G16 United; Invergordon Social Club v Ardersier; Ferrybache v Kyleakin. Western Isles Section – North Uist v Carloway; Iochdar Saints v Lochs; Harris v Stornoway United; Ness v Point; Eriskay v Benbecula; Westside v Barra.

Northern Isles Section – Dounby v Kirkwall Thorfinn; Kirkwall Rovers v Kirkwall Hotspurs; Rendall v Stromness Athletic.