Caithness United under-16s avenge recent defeat to Dingwall
After suffering two defeats in three games, Caithness United Under-16s were looking to avenge one when Dingwall travelled north to Thurso in a Youth Highland League match.
Caithness were still smarting from a 4–1 defeat in Dingwall three weeks ago when they kicked off at Naver all-weather, and they made their intent of revenge clear from the first whistle.
The hosts never gave Dingwall a moment’s peace when the visitors were in possession, harrying and haranguing their opponents – successfully forcing them to surrender possession time after time.
Josh Hughes got the home team in front early on when a speculative cross from the right, sailed over the outstretched fingers of Ryan Ross in the Dingwall goal and into the back of the net.
Through the dogged approach from Caithness, Dingwall opportunities were being limited to set pieces as the usually influential Ryan Macnamara was kept quiet – blunting the visitors’ attacks.
The lead was doubled when Morgan Kennedy provided a pinpoint cross for Lewis Swan 15 yards out, who took the ball in his stride and coolly fired a low shot in-off the far post.
United went on to close the game out in the final 30 minutes after a slight re-shuffle.
Kennedy was moved out to the right wing and Lee Gordon came on as a centre forward, with the sub grabbing himself a brace.
The first came from Kennedy’s well-weighted through ball, with Gordon making no mistake as he stroked the ball beyond the on-rushing Ross.
The final goal of the game came via a long ball from Caithness keeper Cody Smith. With the Dingwall defence pushing high, Gordon was able to sprint in behind Dingwall’s last defender to gather the ball at pace.
Before the defence could react effectively he then fired the ball into the net, much to the delight of a healthy crowd in attendance.
United coach Steve Bain said: “We were looking for a big reaction after a couple of lacklustre performances.
“Before training last week, we took the boys in to highlight the importance of work rate through the entire 90 minutes of a game, and making the opposition work a lot harder to get something from the game, and for us to impose ourselves more.
“We then worked a lot on a high press, which reinforced the need for a high level of energy by all the team.
“We could definitely see signs of that. We never gave Dingwall a second’s peace on the ball, and some of our build-up play was great.
“The result is a direct reflection of the hard work the boys put in, and we’ll look to increase that effort level in the coming weeks.”
Under-14s lose out in Dingwall
Caithness United’s under-14s raced into a commanding early lead against Dingwall away from home, only to get pegged back in a thrilling game that ended 5–5.
Tyler Gordon led the way with a hat trick for Caithness at Dingwall Academy last Sunday, with Logan Kirman and Corey Miller scoring their other goals.
It may have been easy to assume that five goals away from home would have been enough for a victory, and it may well have been most weeks.
However, some sloppy play and repeated mistakes meant Caithness did not come away with a win, and instead had to settle for a share of the spoils after 10 goals.
Afterwards coach Stewart Ross was philosophical about the display, saying: “Yes, I am obviously disappointed with the fact we threw what we thought was a comfortable lead away.
“But, we also have to remember that this competition is all about the boys’ development. Today forms part of that process.
“Not only are we seeing gradual improvements in the squad week-on-week, but they will learn from how that match unfolded as they have now experienced first hand the importance of having to keep a high level of concentration throughout the entire match.”
