McKenna says two-goal Campbell can be ‘missing piece’ for Caithness Ladies
Head coach Tom McKenna believes Shannon Campbell can be “the missing piece” for Caithness Ladies after making a return to football.
Campbell, who has excelled at rugby and was an under-18 Scotland squad member, scored twice in Sunday’s 3-2 victory at Castletown in the SWF Highlands and Islands League.
“Shannon has been training with us for four weeks now,” McKenna said. “She is probably the missing piece. As coach I’m excited to have her back on board.
“She’s got that physicality that will unsettle people. She will offer us a lot more.”
Fifteen-year-old Rona Taylor got the other goal against Sutherland, in only her second appearance, to help Caithness Ladies remain second in the table after four wins from their six fixtures.
They are level on points with Clachnacuddin, who won 3-0 at Nairn. Caithness and Clach meet this Sunday at Evanton with a 1pm kick-off.
McKenna said: “It’s going to be a difficult game because Clach have improved a lot this year. Apparently they’ve got a lot of new players in.
“The ladies played well against Sutherland. It was a good result, a hard-fought victory for them.”
McKenna also manages the Castletown men’s team and was again asked to take charge of the Caithness select for the recent Archer Shield match against Orkney at Dounby.
The under-strength visitors fell behind but James Mackintosh equalised and Caithness went on to win on penalties after it finished 1-1 after 90 minutes.
“I went over there thinking the worst,” McKenna admitted. “You couldn’t get a stronger Orkney team – they’re fighting for competition for the Island Games.
“I’d probably say Orkney were the more dominant team, but the lads just stuck with it and they battled through. Ewan Grant made a couple of great saves which helped us to win the trophy.
“It was brilliant, I was really chuffed for them.
“I’d like to thank Caithness AFA for giving me the opportunity to manage the team again.”
Caithness AFA squad: Ewan Grant, Lewis Swan, Stuart Campbell, Owen Harrold, Grant Innes, Carter Mackay, James Mackintosh, Ally Mackintosh, Richard Macadie, Liam Bain, Jack McKechnie, William Cannop, Kieran Macgregor, Kian Mackay.