Build-up play ‘a joy to watch’ as Caithness United U16s keep improving
Coach Steve Bain declared that “the result reflected our performance” after Caithness United under-16s eased to an impressive 7-2 victory over Alness United at the weekend.
There were two goals each for Cory Miller, Tyler Gordon and Cameron Watt, with Max Ross also on target for United in Sunday’s encounter at Harmsworth Park.
Bain said: “We controlled the match for large spells, but a couple of lapses in concentration, one from a corner and one where we conceded a penalty, cost us goals.
“Focusing on the positives, our build-up play was a joy to watch at times with the ball starting from our keeper and going through defence to midfield and into our attackers at pace.
“Our slick build-up play created lots of scoring opportunities and on another day we perhaps could have capitalised even more.
“We also had several good performances throughout the team and the entire squad showed a real desire to win, which is something we have been hammering home to them for a few weeks now.
“As the season progresses, we are looking for an improvement in our performances, and that has definitely been the case over the last few games, although we still believe this group has a lot more to give even yet.”
Caithness United under-16 coach Stewart Ross said there were lessons to be learned for the team after they were beaten 4-1 by Ross County at the Highland Football Academy in Dingwall the previous week.
The sides were level at the break but lapses in concentration at set-pieces proved costly for the visitors in the second half.
Ross said: “After a tentative start to the game, including conceding quite a soft indirect free kick, the boys rallied and started to find their feet.
“We went in at half-time deservedly drawing 1-1 after a deflected Matthew Cook shot found the bottom corner.
“The second-half performance was much improved, and how we never took the lead is still a mystery. A few decent saves from the Ross County goalie and some last-gasp pinball action kept the game at 1-1.
“Unfortunately, however, a series of lapses in concentration at three set-pieces saw County run out 4-1 winners. The scoreline didn’t tell the whole story of the overall performance, but there were lessons learned for the squad in being ruthless, and we definitely saw signs of improvement in the team against a well-drilled Ross County side.”
Caithness United under-14s earned praise for the way they performed both in and out of possession in a goalless draw with their Fort William counterparts.
Sunday’s match was officially a home fixture for United but it was played at neutral Bonar Bridge.
Under-14 coach Murray Coghill said: “It was an interesting day on and off the park. The minibus needing a ‘cooling break’ just before Brora meant that we started the day on the back foot, arriving 20 minutes later than we intended to.
“The game itself was a keenly contested affair with Fort William providing a different challenge in terms of their playing system and their physicality. It was a challenge which the team hadn’t faced so far this season but one they more than matched throughout the 90 minutes.
“A lot of the game was played between the two boxes, with very few chances, but we were pleased with the way the team set themselves up in and out of possession and how comfortable they were in their build-up play.
“We did lack that cutting edge in the attacking third when trying to create opportunities, but it maybe says more about how well the defensive lines of both teams played for not giving either team a real chance to score.
“I was particularly pleased for our defenders and our goalkeeper, who can all take huge credit for the way they played. They showed good organisation and they all stood up to the challenge.
“Overall, it was an enjoyable game with two teams trying to get the ball down and play good football, with a draw proving a fair result in the end.”
Caithness United under-12s travelled to Easter Ross twice in the space of four days as they took part in two football festivals in Alness.
U12 coach Chris Sutherland admitted it had been a busy spell for him, the other coaches and the squad.
“It was different but worthwhile travelling to Alness twice in a few days,” he said. “At the moment we need to make sure we try everything we can to expose our squad to a good level of opponent in a competitive format to help the best we can with our players’ development.
“In fairness, the boys all seemed to love the trips and did very well in both festivals, playing some really nice football, and individually there were some great performances throughout our squad.
“We probably deserved to win more games, but the fact of the matter is that we just weren’t clinical enough in front of goal given the chances we created. Overall, though, we are very happy with the lads’ performances.”
Caithness United results in U12 festivals at Alness – September 18: Avoch, drew 0-0. Invergordon, won 5-0 – Caithness United scorers Jack Mackay (2), Alexander Macleod, Layton Macdonald and Charlie Sutherland. Dingwall, drew 2-2 – Alexander Macleod (2). Muir of Ord, lost 1-0. Alness, drew 0-0. Tain, won 2-0 – Layton Macdonald and Noah Elder.
September 21: Forres “A”, drew 1-1 – Caithness United scorer Kian Sutherland. Invergordon, won 4-0 – Jackson Weir, Samuel Macintosh, Orry Gray and Charlie Sutherland. Dingwall, drew 1-1 – Charlie Sutherland. Forres “B”, won 2-1 – own goal and Jackson Weir. Alness, won 2-0 – Charlie Sutherland (2). Tain, won 3-0 – Orry Gray, Andrew Sutherland and Jackson Weir.
