Coaches happy with workrate as Caithness United U16s get the better of Clach
Caithness United under-16s ran out 3-1 winners away to Clachnacuddin on Sunday in the second match of their Highland Youth League campaign.
The strong winds at Bught Park in Inverness and the hard and bumpy condition of the pitch meant the game was never going to be a classic. However, the Caithness boys rolled up their sleeves and made the best of it.
After the first third the score remained at 0-0, even though United had been well on top and spurned several chances to take the lead. In the second period their hard work finally paid dividends as Lee Gordon finished off a well-worked move.
Shortly after that, and against the run of play, Clach equalised when they capitalised on a lapse of concentration in the Caithness defence.
The United lads appeared unperturbed by that setback, though, as they pinned Clach back into their own half and Morgan Kennedy added a further two goals.
Caithness coach Steve Bain said: “We took a bit of a gamble by tweaking our usual formation. That actually proved to be a risk worth taking, as after a relatively slow start we grew into the game and controlled it for long spells.
"It was great to see aspects of what we've been working hard on in training appear throughout the game too. That, and the fact that the boys put in so much effort, were the most pleasing things for us as coaches.
"Those levels of effort were more in line with our expectations. Now the boys have tasted what can be achieved through that extent of workrate, we fully expect them to perform at least to that level for the rest of the season.”
The under-16s' first game of the season had resulted in an 8-1 victory over Balloan (Inverness) at Wick’s Harmsworth Park at the end of August.
Caithness scorers were Morgan Kennedy (3), Josh Hughes (2), Lee Gordon (2) and Jed Armitage.
Between those two league games the U16s also played Orkney in Halkirk where they were competing for the Louisburgh Cup. The game ended 1-1, with Harvey Labor scoring the Caithness goal on his debut.
It went straight to penalties to decide the winners, and Orkney came out on top 4-3 in the shoot-out.
Caithness United under-14s welcomed Dingwall to Harmsworth Park on Sunday in the Moray Youth Development League.
United put in a good performance which saw them go 3-1 up and continue to create chances which would have put the game to bed if they’d manage to convert. However, Dingwall dug in and fought back to salvage a draw.
Caithness coach Stewart Ross said: “The lads put a great shift in and showed a brilliant desire throughout the game.
"We feel we were worthy of a win, and the boys are hurting a bit because of that, but we are taking a lot more positives from that performance than negatives.”
Caithness United goalscorers were Tyler Gordon, Logan Kirman and Shay Coghill.