‘Helmsdale is the best!’ – Booth hails support of village ahead of Highland Amateur Cup opener against Embo
Helmsdale United boss Josh Booth says his young squad can play “without pressure” this year as he embarks on his first season at the helm.
The village side kicked off their 2025 campaign with an uncompromising 6-0 win over Lairg Rovers in the first round of the Stafford Cup last Saturday, laying down a marker that the United manager says has set the “level they need to meet” throughout the season ahead.
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“I thought we started slow,” said Booth. “But after about the first 15 minutes we really kicked on and wiped the floor with Lairg.
“It was especially pleasing as we had a lot of new boys playing who were excellent.
“I was clear with the boys after the game that that’s the level we need to meet throughout the year.
“There will be hiccups along the way, we know that. We are very young squad – but there’s no pressure on us this year, so we can let them play football and see where it takes us.”
Booth’s squad was boosted by the inclusion of several seasoned senior campaigners coming off the back of an impressive campaign with North Caledonian League club Halkirk United.
Among them were Anglers trio Aidan Reid, Innes Mackintosh and Andrew Mackay.
Booth added: “We have a good connection with Caithness teams. I personally know the lads who helped us out at the weekend, and they are great boys.
“It was a boost to get them in for Saturday and I hope we can see them again throughout year.”
In the Helmsdale hot seat for the first time having previously assisted former manager Colin Macrae, Booth still expects to be a feature on the pitch.
“I am hoping to play a bit myself,” Booth said. “A couple of older guys from the village who have been around football for years are helping me along the way, and this will allow me to play a bit more.
“This is where the village support is so important.
“It’s absolutely massive for a club like Helmsdale. I’d say the support we have is the best around in amateur football.
“Everyone is very generous with fundraising and supporting the lads. The boys really appreciate it.”
United were unrelenting in their six-goal demolition of the Ferrycroft Park side.
A Kevin Cairns hat-trick was the main feature, with Halkirk stalwarts Mackay and Mackintosh also getting on the scoresheet.
A goal from Alfie Mackay rounded off the scoring.
Elsewhere in the Stafford Cup first round last Saturday, Lochinver came back from 3-2 down to beat Inver 5-3 at Osprey Park.
Jake Lockett was the hero for the north-west side with two second half goals to add to earlier strikes from Clarke Hutchison, Josh Sands and Shaun Marshall.
Aiden Stainke, Calum Grant and Reece Wilson netted for the hosts.
In the other game of the day, Melvich beat Brora Wanderers to book their place in the quarter final.
Robert Fisher had given Brora the lead at half-time but a second half fightback saw Melvich win comfortably with goals from Michael Smith (2) and Kieran Macgregor.
The quarter finals of the Stafford Cup are scheduled to be played on Saturday April 26.
Helmsdale travel to Back Park at Embo tomorrow in hopes of securing a place in the Highland Amateur Cup first round proper, after being drawn in the north section preliminary round.
They will be hoping they can go at least a stage further than their impressive campaign last year, which saw them twice travel
Booth added: “We had a good run last year and the boys are hungry for more, but it will be a tough game against Embo, as it’s not an easy place to go.
“We’ll expect them to work hard and make things difficult for us.
“But we welcome back three of our regulars to the side in Donnie Ross, Billy Cairns and Duncan Davidson and that will give us a massive boost.”
Fixtures in the north section of the Highland Amateur Cup preliminary round are due to be played tomorrow, as below:
Thurso Swifts v Inver (3pm)
High Ormlie Hotspur v Castletown (3pm)
Staxigoe United v Keiss (3pm)
Embo v Helmsdale United (3pm)
Golspie Stafford v John O’Groats (2pm)
One match in the Stafford Cup quarter-final is being played at the Meadows in Dornoch.
Dornoch v Lochbroom (2pm)