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Narrow defeat for Caithness under-13s in first match after five-month lay-off


By Alan Hendry

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Toby Sutherland drives forward for Caithness United under-13s. Picture: Mel Roger
Toby Sutherland drives forward for Caithness United under-13s. Picture: Mel Roger

Caithness United under-13s returned to action after a five-month lay-off as they entertained Inverness Balloan at Castletown's Back Park on Sunday. In a keenly contested and close encounter the Caithness youths lost 1-0 in their fourth game in the Moray Firth Youth Development League.

Balloan soon had the Caithness goal under threat and after a series of set-pieces they opened the scoring from a corner. Caithness failed to clear their lines and the ball broke to Jamie Ewing for a tap-in.

The goal gave the visitors a lift. Riley Murray saw a long-range effort crash off the bar, and the Caithness defence managed to clear another effort by Ewing.

After a slow start, the Caithness lads were working themselves into the game and had a couple of opportunities at goal before the end of the first period which Balloan’s goalkeeper, Kyle Jeffery, was able to cope with.

Caithness United's Sam Reid evades a challenge from a Balloan defender. Picture: Mel Roger
Caithness United's Sam Reid evades a challenge from a Balloan defender. Picture: Mel Roger

The home side had more intensity to their passing game in the second third and were handling Balloan's direct approach with a lot more composure. As the confidence grew, the opportunities increased and Caithness were unlucky with chances from Sam Reid, Scott McDonald and Toby Sutherland being saved by the keeper.

Caithness dominated possession the final third of the contest and, with Stevie Esson providing the urgency and drive from the middle of the park, created a handful of chances. The pick of those came from a clever through ball by Esson which gave McDonald an opportunity to home in on goal but his well-struck effort was deflected away via the outstretched leg of Jeffery.

With Caithness pressing hard for an equaliser, Balloan sprung a counter-attack which won them a corner. From the corner, Matthew Reid had to look smart twice to deny Balloan getting another goal.

Jayden Bremner holds off a Balloan defender during the hard-fought match at Castletown's Back Park. Picture: Mel Roger
Jayden Bremner holds off a Balloan defender during the hard-fought match at Castletown's Back Park. Picture: Mel Roger

Caithness coaches Kevin Miller and Ross Sutherland were disappointed with the result but pleased with how the team adapted and learned to cope with a different style of play.

Sutherland said: “After five months without competitive football it takes time to shake off the rustiness, even in youth football. Therefore after the opening 20 minutes I was pleased with how the boys handled physical opponents but more importantly how they stuck to playing football on the deck throughout the game.

"Overall it was great to see the boys back playing a game of competitive football. The surface was in great condition and I'd like to thank Castletown FC for making the pitch available to us.

"With limited access to facilities for youth football we are grateful for the support we receive from senior clubs throughout the county for the use of their facilities.”

Miller added: “As coaches we learn more about the players when we have close encounters like we did on Sunday. While disappointed with the defeat, I felt we did more than enough to get something from the game.

"After a slow start we grew into the game and finished it really well.”


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