'Better balance' as Top Joe's continue their improvement in Caithness second division
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Manager Bruce Cormack says Top Joe's are benefiting from having a better balance in the squad after they picked up their third win of the season in Caithness AFA Division Two.
The Thurso outfit finished bottom last summer, but Monday night's 3-0 victory over Watten has taken them up second place in the table on 11 points.
Cormack said: "We’ve got good young players but it has been important to keep the older ones too. There’s a better balance and depth in the squad.
"Starting training earlier has been a factor and they’ve shown a good attitude so far. We seem tougher to break down and have a threat going forward.
"It's early days yet, though."
Watten started the first half well but Joe’s took the lead five minutes before half-time when Jack MacGregor swept home after a great through ball from Martin Murray.
MacGregor made it two from the penalty spot before Bruin Gunn scored the third after a fine run.
There were two goals apiece for Alan Steven and Lewis Gill as Keiss won 5-0 against Thurso Pentland, who are still seeking their first point of the campaign. Tony Miller was also on target.
Keiss manager Bradley Thomson said: "It was a good win for us, it keeps us going in the right direction, and things are slowly starting to click for us in spells of games.
"The season is going well so far but we have a few more levels to take our performances to and will to try to finish as high as possible."
Lybster kept up their 100 per cent record in Division Two with a 3-1 victory over Swifts at the Dammies.
Lewis Mackillop put Lybster ahead from the penalty spot. Bailey Morrison equalised for Swifts, but a double from Bobby Gunn sealed another three points for the second division leaders.
"It was a much better performance than last week [against Watten], I must admit," Lybster manager Cameron Mackenzie said. "Every player on that park for us performed admirably against a good Swifts team who were hard to break down.
"Bobby's finishing being on point in the second half made all the difference for us. His first goal in particular was a cracking volley."
Results – Alan Farquhar Testimonial: Wick Academy 6, SPL Legends 4.
CAFA Division Two: Keiss 5, Thurso Pentland 0; Swifts 1, Lybster 3; Watten 0, Top Joe's 3.
Fixtures – Tuesday, May 23 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup, semi-finals: Pentland United v Wick Groats; Wick Thistle v John O'Groats (both 7pm).
Friday, May 26 – CAFA Division One: Castletown v Wick Groats; High Ormlie Hotspur v Pentland United; John O'Groats v Wick Thistle; Staxigoe United v Acks (all 7.15pm).
