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East End Light Blues complete double to round off busy season for Caithness Youth Football Association





East End Light Blues won the U14 league after a last-night title decider against Thurso United at Naver.
East End Light Blues won the U14 league after a last-night title decider against Thurso United at Naver.

The Caithness Youth Football Association season culminated in a small-sided games festival hosted by Thurso United and an under-14 league decider between Thurso United and East End Light Blues.

Thurso United played host at Naver to the U6-U12 age groups for the festival in which more than 300 young players aged five to 12 enjoyed a day full of football. All five local clubs were represented across the various age groups using 4v4, 5v5 and 7v7 game formats.

This season has witnessed 12 small-sided games festivals since April, with Castletown, John O’Groats, Thurso United, Halkirk and East End all welcoming the young players of Caithness. This was a record number of festivals held in a season, with league officials giving credit to the many volunteers who run each club for making these happen.

The U14 season ended in dramatic fashion with Thurso United and East End Light Blues playing out a last-night title decider at Naver. Only a win would see Thurso United retain the trophy they won in 2023, while East End had the advantage of knowing a draw would see them crowned champions.

The game proved a tight, edgy affair which remained goalless at half-time. Thurso United’s back line appeared to be holding strong until midway through the second half when a cross found Morgan Timbrell unmarked at the back post to open the scoring for the Wick side.

Logan Macadie added a second late in the game to ensure East End Light Blues completed the league and cup double.

East End Light Blues’ captain Max Ross receiving the U14 cup from Wick Academy’s Richard Macadie.
East End Light Blues’ captain Max Ross receiving the U14 cup from Wick Academy’s Richard Macadie.

Earlier, East End Light Blues had completed the first half of their trophy haul with a comfortable 5-0 victory over Halkirk in the U14 cup final at Harmsworth Park – a special experience for the players under the Wick Academy floodlights.

East End Light Blues had made light work of their semi-final against Thurso United with a 5-1 win at the Upper Bignold. Halkirk, meanwhile, battled through the addition of extra time against East End Dark Blues to win 1-0 and ensure their passage to the final.

East End Light Blues were out of the blocks quickly and were 4-0 up at half-time, adding a fifth after the break.

East End Light Blues’ goals on the night came from Timbrell, Rory Anderson, Ross Mackay (2) and Seth Bunch.

Thurso United retained the Michael ‘Foxy’ MacIntosh Cup after beating Halkirk at Recreation Park.
Thurso United retained the Michael ‘Foxy’ MacIntosh Cup after beating Halkirk at Recreation Park.

In June, Thurso United retained the Michael “Foxy” MacIntosh Cup with a 3-1 win against Halkirk at Recreation Park thanks to a Kody Munro hat-trick.

Halkirk reduced the deficit late on when Max Foubister converted from the penalty spot.

One of the John O'Groats age groups in a CYFA competition.
One of the John O'Groats age groups in a CYFA competition.
East End boys who competed during the CYFA season.
East End boys who competed during the CYFA season.
One of the Thurso United teams who took part in this season's CYFA competitions.
One of the Thurso United teams who took part in this season's CYFA competitions.
One of the East End teams at a CYFA event.
One of the East End teams at a CYFA event.
One of the John O'Groats teams.
One of the John O'Groats teams.
Thurso United players.
Thurso United players.
One of the East End age groups.
One of the East End age groups.
One of the Thurso United teams at a CYFA event.
One of the Thurso United teams at a CYFA event.
An East End line-up.
An East End line-up.
Final table in the CYFA U14 league.
Final table in the CYFA U14 league.

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