Caithness U14s receive new memorial cup after victory over Orkney
Caithness United under-14s brought the curtain down on their 2024/25 season with a 4-2 victory over Orkney Youth Development Group in blustery conditions at Naver.
It was played as the inaugural match for the Dan Thomson Memorial Cup, donated by Ken Green in memory of the former Wick Rovers manager.
With many of the players’ families looking on, the prolific Ruaridh Kean grabbed two goals to take his season’s tally to 32. The industrious duo of Will Munro and Seth Bunch completed the scoring to ensure the new trophy stayed in the county.
Caithness were quick out of the blocks with some neat work down the right freeing Kean, who slotted home. It was 2-0 shortly after when Kean’s angled shot cannoned off the post for Munro to latch onto and add the finishing touch from close range.
The islanders hit back twice before the end of the first 30 minutes to draw level at 2-2.
Caithness dominated the remainder of the game, although they toiled initially on the fast artificial pitch with the wind at their backs.
A nice passing move involving Liam Macnab and Ross Mackay culminated in Bunch making it 3-2.
Kean ended the contest when a firmly struck shot from distance eluded the Orkney keeper.
Caithness coach Murray Coghill said: “Firstly, thanks to the Orkney squad and their coaches, Wayne Monkman and Kevin Thomson, for coming across the firth. It’s always a very competitive game between the sides and this one was no different.
“Our performance was befitting of the way we want the boys to play. We want them to build out from the back, rotate positions and find quick ways forward.
“There were many instances today where we passed it out from our goalkeeper and it ended up with a shot on goal after six or seven passes.”
Coghill added: “Our squad this season has been a great group – a big bunch of mates, really, which makes the job for us coaches easy. So a big thanks to them.
“I’d also like to thank the other coaches, Craig Ross, Sean Moodie, Gordie Reid, Luke Bunch and Gordy Mackenzie, for their support this season to ensure we give these lads the opportunities their ability deserves.”
Naver was also the venue as Caithness United under-12s took on their Orkney counterparts. The format meant two nine-a-side matches for each of the two Caithness teams, Black & Whites and Sky Blues.
Black & Whites – Game 1: Caithness won 1-0 – goalscorer Alexander Macleod. Game 2: Orkney won 5-2 – Caithness scorers Andrew Sutherland and Samuel Mackintosh.
Sky Blues – Game 1: Caithness won 5-4 – Caithness scorers Layton McDonald (3), Orry Gray and Ryan Little. Game 2: Caithness won 5-0 – scorers Layton McDonald (2), Zack Taylor, Charlie Sutherland and Ryan Little.