Orkney beat Caithness on penalties to lift the Archer Shield

A young and inexperienced Orkney side got their hands on the Archer Shield at The Dammies this afternoon, winning on penalties to lift the prize for the 38th time.

Captain Mark Berry hit the back of the net with the decisive penalty as Orkney scored all five spot-kicks, while Orkney ‘keeper Erlend Poke saved Caithness’s first spot-kick after the two sides could not be separated after 120 minutes of football.

After a first-half of few chances, Caithness opened the scoring in the opening stages of the second-half in bizarre circumstances. Dounby goalkeeper Poke, after seeing the linesman had raised his flag for an offside decision, threw the ball out for the resulting free-kick. Wick Groats forward Sandy Sutherland took advantage and passed the ball into the net, however the referee — much to the dismay of the Orkney side — allowed the goal to stand as he hadn’t penalised the home side for the offside.

Putting the opener behind them, Orkney got themselves level through a Chris Hellewell penalty. Benn Murray was penalised for a clip on Joe Wilson’s ankles as the Hotspurs’ midfielder homed in on goal, giving the Rendall striker the opportunity to place the ball into the net. Hellewell went close minutes later with a delightful chip which rebounded off the post.

In the extra 30 minutes, the home side pushed for a winner, however a resolute and determined Orkney side kept Caithness at arm’s length, as the away side eventually took the shield back across the Pentland Firth.