Caithness Ladies 'moving in right direction' after victory over Sutherland
Head coach Tom McKenna says Caithness Ladies are showing that they can now compete with the best teams in the SWF Highlands and Islands League after they consolidated third place in the table with a 4-1 victory over Sutherland.
McKenna admitted there was a certain amount of rustiness after the summer break but said the progress being made by the squad is "truly encouraging".
Sunday's league win at a wet Back Park in Castletown followed on from a 3-1 success for Caithness when the sides met in a Highlands and Islands League Cup semi-final in June.
"The game was evenly balanced regarding possession," McKenna said. "We created more chances, and the better of the chances, throughout the game.
"It wasn't one of our better performances – I thought we were sluggish and gave the ball away a lot. But I think you could probably put that down to the fact that we hadn't played a game in seven or eight weeks prior to that so there was an element of rustiness in the girls.
"It was good to get back into it and to beat a strong Sutherland team again – it shows that it wasn't a one-off.
"It shows that we are moving in the right direction. We're becoming competitive and we're starting to compete against the stronger teams in the league, which is truly encouraging."
Caithness took the lead midway through the first half when Sarah Henderson scored from a low cross delivered by Carly Erridge.
Sutherland equalised just before half-time but Caithness took charge after the break, scoring three more times without reply.
The second came from Chloe Stebbing after Erridge provided another assist.
Erridge added a late double. Both goals were similar in set-up and movement, coming in from the left and netting at the back post.
Fifteen-year-old Geena Hossack made some excellent saves and Sarah Henderson was chosen as player of the match.
Caithness Ladies’ next match is at home to league leaders Buckie on Sunday, August 27. Buckie won 5-2 at home to Clachnacuddin at the weekend, helped by a hat-trick from Lori Lappin, while Ross and Cromarty drew 2-2 with Nairn.
Caithness will also meet Buckie in the cup final on Sunday, September 24.