Home   Sport   Article

Keiss co-manager says Castletown are favourites for Division Two title


By Alan Hendry

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Castletown's Michael Smith finds himself surrounded by Keiss opponents.
Castletown's Michael Smith finds himself surrounded by Keiss opponents.

Keiss co-manager Bradley Thomson is convinced that Castletown will finish top of Caithness AFA Division Two after the leaders ran out 6-3 winners on their trip to Bayview Park on Monday night.

Michael Smith hit a hat-trick for Castletown, including two unstoppable free kicks, while Connor Macleod got a double and Gavin Henderson was also on target.

Keiss led twice in the first half and their tenacity was underlined when Alan Steven fought his way through the visitors' defence to make it 3-3 with his second goal of the night. Lewis Gill was the other scorer for the home side.

Thomson admitted that Castletown's fitness had been a factor in the closing stages.

“I think our heads went down from their fourth goal, to be honest," he said.

“We still fought, but they showed that they had a bit more in the tank than us and a bit more experience as well. We've got a young team."

The sides will meet again on Thursday, this time in Castletown, as Monday's three second division fixtures are reversed.

“Fingers crossed we can put the same effort in again on Thursday night," Thomson said.

“Even their boys came off the park and said we were in it for 60 or 70 minutes, so that's a big compliment to us.

“We're positive that we can push and finish as high as we can. Everybody is aiming for second place because Castletown are the favourites.

“We need to aim for that anyway, and we'll see at the end of the season. We'll take it game by game and see what happens."

Adam Sherry (Keiss) holds off a challenge from Castletown's Jake Dunnet. Pictures: Alan Hendry
Adam Sherry (Keiss) holds off a challenge from Castletown's Jake Dunnet. Pictures: Alan Hendry

Castletown manager Tom McKenna said: “Keiss have a lot of enthusiastic young lads and in the first half they really had a go at us. They didn't really allow us to settle or gain any momentum or rhythm in our game.

“We started getting frustrated and becoming anxious with each other, but we can't take anything away from them – they had a couple of really decent players who were causing us problems.

“At 3-3 we still looked vulnerable. But we made a couple of changes and that seemed to freshen us up and it gave us the impetus to go forward.

“I thought we really struggled in the first half and I was disappointed with our performance levels. People are tagging us as favourites, but you've got to go out and do the basics.

“You've got to earn the right to impose yourself in football games and that means getting the fundamentals right.”

McKenna was pleased with Smith’s contribution, saying: “He did well. Michael is a very good player and a good striker.”

Swifts were 4-0 winners over Pentland in the Thurso derby with goals from Liam Miller, Ebisine Ambakederemo, Darryl Wilson and Kian Mackay.

Swifts manager Stevie Reid said: "The lads played really well and probably should have been out of sight by half-time, but they stuck at it and scored four good goals."

Watten picked up their first league win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Top Joe's at Ormlie. Kevin Treasurer scored from the penalty spot and Steven Hughes sealed the points with a fine solo effort.

Castletown's Gavin Henderson is outnumbered by Keiss players.
Castletown's Gavin Henderson is outnumbered by Keiss players.

Staxigoe struck late to secure a 2-1 win against John O'Groats in Friday night's Division One fixture. Grant Aitkenhead and Ross Davidson scored for Staxigoe, with Tony Miller netting a spot-kick for JOG.

Results – Division Two: Keiss 3, Castletown 6; Pentland 0, Swifts 4; Top Joe's 0, Watten 2.

Fixtures – Tuesday, May 24 – Division One: Lybster v High Ormlie Hotspur; Pentland United v Wick Groats; Wick Thistle v Acks (all (7.15pm).

Thursday, May 26 – Division Two: Castletown v Keiss; Swifts v Pentland; Watten v Top Joe's (all (7.15pm).

Saturday, May 28 – Archer Shield: Caithness v Orkney (Dammies, 2pm).

Lewis Gill (right) shows his delight after opening the scoring for Keiss.
Lewis Gill (right) shows his delight after opening the scoring for Keiss.
Castletown's Connor Macleod tries to dispossess Carter Mackay (Keiss).
Castletown's Connor Macleod tries to dispossess Carter Mackay (Keiss).
Benn Murray (left) congratulates Michael Smith after one of his three goals for Castletown.
Benn Murray (left) congratulates Michael Smith after one of his three goals for Castletown.
Jake Dunnet runs up the right wing for Castletown during their 6-3 win at Keiss.
Jake Dunnet runs up the right wing for Castletown during their 6-3 win at Keiss.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More