No weak links in top flight, says Pentland United co-manager ahead of new season
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Pentland United co-manager Michael Gray has insisted there are "no weak links" ahead of the county champions' opening fixture in Caithness AFA Division One.
The Stabbies start their campaign on Tuesday with an away game against Wick Thistle, who held on to their top-flight status with a play-off victory over Swifts.
“We're quite pleased with the group," Gray said. "We've had a few training sessions and they've been pretty good.
“We haven't had any games, mainly due to fixture congestion from the winter football. We're trying to be fair to the winter teams and not overburden the players."
United were crowned as champions for the first time since 2011 after a 6-1 victory over Thistle at Ham Park last August.
“Credit to Thistle," Gray said. "Last year I thought they had some good energy around the park, good pace, they've got some guys with good winter experience. This will be a good challenge for us, to be fair.
“I don't see any weak teams. Castletown have been promoted and they've got plenty of experience.
"There are no weak links in the league so every game will be pretty tough."
Castletown, runaway winners of Division Two last year, begin their return to the top flight with an away fixture against Highland Amateur Cup winners High Ormlie Hotspur.
Lybster, relegated after finishing bottom of Division One, start with a home game against Keiss next Friday.
Caithness AFA fixtures (all 6.30pm): Tuesday, April 11 – Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v Castletown; Wick Thistle v Pentland United. Division Two: Thurso Pentland v Watten.
Wednesday, April 12 – Division One: John O’Groats v Staxigoe United; Wick Groats v Acks. Division Two: Top Joe’s v Swifts.
Friday, April 14 – Division Two: Lybster v Keiss.
Monday, April 17 – Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v John O’Groats. Division Two: Swifts v Watten.
Tuesday, April 18 – Division One: Staxigoe United v Wick Groats. Division Two: Lybster v Thurso Pentland; Top Joe’s v Keiss.
Wednesday, April 19 – Division One: Acks v Wick Thistle; Castletown v Pentland United.
Thurso and Halkirk United will meet at Morrison Park on Friday night following the postponement of their North Caledonian League fixture last weekend. The game kicks off at 7pm.
Invergordon's hopes of overtaking leaders Loch Ness suffered a major setback when they lost to St Duthus in Tain. James Mackay's early long-range strike proved to be the only goal of the game.
If Loch Ness win their final two matches – against Fort William and Alness United – they will be North Caley champions for the first time.
North Caledonian League results: Fixtures for Saturday, April 1: Bonar Bridge 0, Fort William 4; Inverness Athletic 2, Alness United 0; Orkney 2, Golspie Sutherland 2; St Duthus 1, Invergordon 0.
North Caledonian League fixtures – Friday, April 7: Bonar Bridge v Clachnacuddin "A" (Alness, 6.30pm); Thurso v Halkirk United (Morrison Park, 7pm).
Saturday, April 8: Loch Ness v Fort William; Invergordon v Orkney.
