Holders look to maintain defence of trophy.
HOLDERS Avoch will look to reach the Highland Amateur Cup final tomorrow when they take on Thurso outfit High Ormlie Hostpur in the semi final.
The match is taking place at Culbokie on Saturday at 3.30pm as Avoch prepare for their toughest test of the competition so far.
The winners will face either Dunnet heavyweights Pentland United or Lewis and Harris League leaders Stornoway Athletic in the final.
Those two teams are scheduled to face each other in Culbokie with kick-off at noon.
Avoch won the Highland Amateur Cup for the seventh time last year when they defeated Wick Groats 1-0 at Harmsworth Park in Wick.
If they can lift the trophy again this year, they would equal the record number of wins with Pentland United on eight.
High Ormlie Hotspur have emerged as a real force in amateur football in recent years and they won the Highland Amateur Cup in 2022.
Avoch manager Martyn MacAllister says while he doesn’t know too much about High Ormlie, knows their results speak for themselves.
He knows Avoch will have to be at their best to make the final.
“I haven’t seen much of High Ormlie, as it is only in the last couple of years they have really come on to the scene.
“But I have nothing but respect for what they have done. They have a young side and won the Highland Amateur Cup two years ago.
“They are competing in Caithness with the likes of Pentland United and Wick Groats since then.
“This is a massively tough game for us, but at this stage of the competition, you don’t get any easy games.
“Every team that is in the last four will be extremely difficult to play against.
“But this is the Highland Amateur Cup semi finals and our boys are well up for the match.
“This is a game we all can’t wait for, as I am sure the boys at High Ormlie Hotspur will be looking forward to.”
Avoch have already celebrated success this season when they won the Inverness and District Premiership for the first time in seven years.
They rounded off their league campaign with 10-3 win over Conon Bridge on Monday where they were presented with the league trophy.
A hat trick each for top scorer Ian Penwright and Mike Maclean, and one each from Scott Morrison, Craig Ross, Colin Mason and Paul Gair ensured that Avoch will finish a minimum eight points clear of Maryburgh in second place, with Maryburgh still having one more game to play.
