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McKenna admits Castletown discipline went 'out the window'





Castletown manager Tom McKenna: 'It was our biggest game of the year to date and we've just not turned up.' Picture: James Gunn
Castletown manager Tom McKenna: 'It was our biggest game of the year to date and we've just not turned up.' Picture: James Gunn

Manager Tom McKenna admitted Castletown's discipline went "out the window" as they had three men sent off during Monday's 2-1 defeat to John O'Groats.

It means the sides are level on nine points with two fixtures remaining in Caithness AFA Division One as they vie to avoid the relegation/promotion play-off at the end of the season.

John O'Groats' Jordan Howden (penalty) and Saleem Bremner scored in the first half at Back Park, either side of a red card for their team-mate Eddie MacGregor.

Michael Smith reduced the deficit in the second period but the Quarrymen dug a hole for themselves as first Benn Murray, then Garry Macleod and finally Danny Mackay were sent off.

"We were really wasteful," McKenna said. "In the first half we just couldn't keep the ball at all, we were really careless with it, and in the final third we just couldn't break them down.

"Our play wasn't quick enough to ask questions and cause problems. The whole game in general was really poor for us.

"From that, everything just went wrong for us. We conceded two goals and I don't know what has happened with the red cards – I don't know if it has been back-chat to the ref. There were a few yellow cards as well.

"Our discipline has just gone out the window. We became anxious and frustrated, and it was a game we wanted to try and take something from.

"I just thought that overall we didn't play to the standards we expect here and that we've shown at times this year.

"It was our biggest game of the year to date and we've just not turned up. I don't know if the lads were overwhelmed with the occasion and how important the game was for the football club."

The organisers of the Highland Amateur Cup have confirmed that Harmsworth Park will be the venue for this year's final.

It will be the second final in a row at the home of Wick Academy, as High Ormlie Hotspur beat Pentland United on penalties there last August.

This season's final is scheduled for Saturday, August 19.

Wick Groats, the last remaining Caithness team in the competition, will meet Stromness Athletic in their semi-final at Back Park in Castletown on Saturday, August 5 (2.30pm). The Orkney team – who knocked out Staxigoe United on penalties in an earlier round – were 4-3 winners at home to Lerwick Spurs in the quarter-finals.

Groats were handed a place in the last four after their scheduled opponents Lerwick Celtic withdrew from the competition.


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