Castletown players can be proud after cup exit, says McKenna
Castletown manager Tom McKenna told his under-strength team they should be “extremely proud of themselves” after their narrow midweek defeat to Pentland United.
James Murray’s late strike sealed a 2-1 victory for the Stabbies at Back Park on Tuesday night in the first round of the Eain Mackintosh Cup.
Castletown had 10 players missing and McKenna himself played the full 90 minutes.
“I really struggled today, I honestly didn’t know if we were going to get a team,” the manager said. “We were talking about cancelling the game, but we got some bodies together and obviously I’ve had to play to fill a gap.
“Under the circumstances the lads must be extremely proud of themselves. I am, as the manager, and I know the chairman is proud of the guys for going out and putting in that performance.
“They showed a lot of character at times. We were under the cosh but we didn’t fall apart.
“We were resolute and organised. We were disciplined and the communication between us was unbelievable, and we’ve taken them close again. That’s a strong Pentland United team tonight.
“It’s always disappointing losing a game of football. But I am really, really proud of the guys.
“I think everybody, from top to bottom, was exceptional. From my point of view I absolutely loved it, just to get the boots on and get out to play.”
After a goalless first half in the Dunnet Bay derby, Pentland United made the breakthrough seconds after the restart when Sam Mackay broke through in the inside-right channel and calmly slotted the ball into the net off the far post.
Seven minutes later Castletown striker Michael Smith got on the end of a long ball from Dylan Alexander before weaving his way around keeper Owen Gordon and tucking it away.
Murray drilled home the winner with five minutes of the 90 remaining.
Pentland United co-manager Michael Gray said: “A lot of credit goes to Castletown there because they were quite short-handed but they made life very difficult for us.
“They were well organised, they got behind the ball and asked us to come and break them down.
“Early doors I thought we were good, we knocked the ball about with a nice bit of purpose, and we got our chances but didn’t take them.
“That gave them a little more confidence and they came out a bit and had a couple of potshots.
"We came in at half-time a little bit frustrated as much as anything.
“We got a dream start to the second half. Within minutes we conceded quite a sloppy goal – we didn't shut the ball down in midfield and Michael Smith is a good finisher. We allowed him far too much space and he took his chance.
“The clock was ticking away and anything could happen but thankfully James popped and settled the game.
Results – CAFA Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur 8, Wick Thistle 2; John O’Groats 2, Wick Groats 3; Staxigoe United 2, Pentland United 2.
Division Two: Acks 2, Pentland 1; Halkirk 2, Watten 1; Keiss 6, Swifts 0.
Eain Mackintosh Cup, first round: Castletown 1, Pentland United 2; High Ormlie Hotspur 2, Wick Groats 0; Keiss 1, Lybster 4; Swifts 5, John O’Groats 2; Wick Thistle 2, Staxigoe United 3 (after extra time).
Fixtures – Friday, May 31 – Division One: John O’Groats v Staxigoe United. Division Two: Keiss v Acks (both 7.30pm).
Saturday, June 1 – Highland Amateur Cup, second round (ties involving Caithness clubs): Fort William v Wick Groats (3pm); Halkirk v Stornoway Athletic (in Ullapool, 1.30pm); Kirkwall Thorfinn v High Ormlie Hotspur (12.30pm); Lerwick Thistle v Lybster (in Stromness, 12.30pm); Pentland United v North Isles (2pm); Wick Thistle v Sleat and Strath (3pm).
Tuesday, June 4 – Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-finals: Acks v Staxigoe United; Pentland United v High Ormlie Hotspur. First round (rearranged): Top Joe’s v Halkirk (all 7.15pm).
Thursday, June 6 – Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-final: Swifts v Lybster (7.15pm).
Friday, June 7 – CAFA Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v Castletown; Wick Thistle v Staxigoe United (both 7.30pm).
Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-final: Top Joe’s or Halkirk v Watten (7.15pm).
Saturday, June 8 – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup final: Pentland United v Wick Groats (at Castletown, 3pm).