Caithness United U13s keep up good start with victory over Alness
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Caithness United under-13s continued their impressive start to this season’s Moray Firth Youth Development League by overcoming a stuffy Alness United side at the Wick campus’s all-weather park on Saturday, running out 2-0 victors.
The home side immediately got on the front foot and some quick-fire passing saw Sam Reid and Morgan Kennedy go close in the first 10 minutes, denied by some effective goalkeeping from David Murray for Alness.
Caithness continued to dominate, and in doing so pressed Alness deeper into their own half while continuing to pass the ball freely from back to front to try and unlock the defence.
The breakthrough came halfway through the first period when a neatly worked short corner, involving Josh Sutherland and Owen Bain, saw the later float a delightful cross-cum-shot towards the far post. The flight of the ball caused all sorts of problems for the Alness defenders who could only watch as it nestled in the far corner of their goal.
Alness continued with their defensive counter-attack approach, and it almost paid off for them through some speculative long balls, but the quick-thinking Tom Armitage in goal was brave in challenging the onrushing forwards and stealing the ball at their feet.
A slight change in formation and personnel seemed to provide Caithness with fresh impetus through the final period.
Owen Bain found himself in space, 30 yards from goal. This gave him time to look up and spot Euan Kennedy bursting into the box.
Bain elegantly floated the ball into the danger area, where Kennedy managed to leap high and head the ball powerfully into the net.
This two-goal cushion allowed Caithness to relax a little for the remainder of the game, which saw them up the tempo to a more dynamic, fluid passing style. This approach generated further attempts on goal, with Sam Reid again going close and Finlay Bain hitting the post.
It was a hard-fought but well deserved victory for the Caithness team.
Coach Derek Shearer said: "We played very well in the opening half hour, with some lovely passing football. Alness made it difficult for us in the second period as they kept their shape very well.
"In the final period we pushed on again and could have won by more than the two goals. All in all it was another excellent performance from the lads.
"Sam Reid was our man of the match with a superb all-round performance. The way he held the ball up and brought others into the game was great to watch."
