Coach says inconsistency proved costly for Caithness United U16s
Caithness United under-16s were left to reflect on their inconsistency during the season after an 8-0 win against St Duthus meant they finished third in SHFL Under 16 Highland.
“The league table doesn’t lie,” coach Steve Bain said after Sunday’s match at Morrison Park in Halkirk where the Caithness scorers were Cory Miller (3), Tyler Gordon (2), Riley Gray (2) and Conlley Fairweather.
“What cost us a go at being top of the league was our inconsistency. We played the league winners Ross County twice during the season and ran them close both times.
“We’ve then played teams that finished many places below us in the league, and lost. That has been very frustrating to watch from the sidelines.
“However, that is part of the lads’ development too, with them needing to bring their ‘A’ game to every match – not just the so-called big games.
“We were dominant from start to finish against St Duthus. Cory Miller was good value for his hat-trick as he never gave the opposition defence a minute’s peace. Jamie Steven put in an excellent performance in midfield, while Max Ross and Tyler Gordon were good outlets on the wings and Tyler weighed in with a couple of goals too.
“Defensively we limited St Duthus to very few chances, and that’s credit to the whole team for working hard out of possession. Tom Sowerby in the St Duthus goal was by far the busier keeper, and bar some fantastic saves by him we definitely would have come away with more goals.
“The performance by our lads was a pleasing way to finish off the league season. The lads should take encouragement from that display, and continue to encourage each other on the pitch.”
Bain added: “We have a Highland cup competition to get ready for in Alness in May. We are hopeful of organising some friendlies before then in preparation.”
Caithness United’s youngest section played in two age-group games – U11 and U12 – against their Clach counterparts at Charleston Academy in Inverness.
The under-12s lost 4-2, with Alexander Macleod and Andrew Sutherland on target for Caithness. Coach Shaun Forbes said: “It was a very close game until we conceded two late goals.”
The under-11s drew 2-2, with Orry Gray scoring a double.
Forbes said: “We got off to a slow start and conceded two early goals, but after that the boys did really well and finished the game strongly.”
