Caithness U16s looking ahead to cup challenge after victory in final league game
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Caithness United produced a strong second-half display to round off their HFL Under-16 Highland campaign with a 4-0 victory over their Clachnacuddin counterparts in Alness.
With Clach's home ground at Grant Street deemed unplayable, the match went ahead on the all-weather pitch at Dalmore Park.
Caithness took the lead late in the first half when Connor Davidson’s cross-cum-shot looped over the Clach keeper.
Davidson turned provider in the second half with a corner that Max Mackillop prodded home at the back post.
Cory Miller then scored directly from a corner to make it 3-0. Despite being down 10 men for the last 10 minutes, following Jayden Bremner’s dismissal for two bookings, Jay Foubister added another with a smart finish from a tight angle.
Coach Steve Bain said: “We started the game really slowly. If I’m completely honest, our 1-0 lead at half-time probably wasn’t deserved.
"That first 45 minutes was as disjointed a performance as our lads have had all season as our passing was really sloppy and laboured.
"We asked for more intensity in the second half – they needed to think about playing their passes quicker and taking fewer touches. We were playing on an artificial pitch so they didn’t have to worry about the ball bobbling towards them.
"The second half was a lot better. Jamie Steven played some fantastic passes from the middle of the park. He has great awareness on the pitch, shows no fear on the ball and generally makes the right decisions in possession.
"He was one of our top performers along with Arran Bain and Jayden Bremner.”
Bain added: “This rounds off our league season quite neatly, reaffirming our position as the second-best team in the league behind Balloan City.
"We have been invited to take part in the U16 Highland Cup next month in Alness, which will be an excellent test for the squad again and something we are looking forward to, particularly after reaching the final last year.”
Caithness squad: Matthew Reid, Cory Miller, Alfie Miller, Arran Bain, Connor Davidson, Steven Esson, Jayden Bremner, Jamie Steven, Tyler Gordon, John Hooker, Murray Mackay, Cameron Watt, Max Mackillop, Jay Foubister.
Caithness United under-14s were beaten 3-2 by Balloan Fury at the Wick campus. Matthew Cook scored both goals for Caithness.
In blustery conditions, Balloan started the better side and deservedly went ahead. Caithness slowly grew into the game and a magnificent long-range strike by Cook got them level.
Max Ross attempted a similar type of shot from distance, only to see it hit the bar and rebound to safety.
The second 30-minute period saw Caithness start the brighter of the two sides, playing some good football without having a cutting edge, and they paid for it when Balloan took the lead again. Caithness stayed focused and Cook struck again with another well-taken goal.
Alex Traill was unlucky not to give Caithness the lead, striking the crossbar on two occasions.
In the final third United were pushing hard for a third, but Balloan scored with 10 minutes remaining to seal their win.
