Pentland looking to raise their game for semi-final against Acks
Pentland boss Ewan Scott hopes his players will rise to the challenge of taking on top-flight opposition when they meet Thurso rivals Acks in the semi-finals of the Colin Macleod Memorial Cup on Friday.
Pentland go into the tie looking to sharpen up in front of goal after they continued their winless start to the Division Two campaign with a 2-2 draw at Keiss on Monday night.
Scott missed the trip to Bayview Park but was briefed by his co-manager Scott Davidson.
“The way the start of our season is going, we're just needing to kick on and take our chances," Scott said. "Hopefully we will improve on that as the season goes on."
Pentland's opening three league fixtures have brought two draws and one defeat.
"We would have expected to get nine points, to be honest, but fair play to the other teams," Scott said. "They've probably put more effort in than us.
“We've got the semi-final on Friday against Acks. We've got to up our game and hopefully playing a first division team will bring out the best in our squad.”
Alan Ferrier scored from close range for Keiss midway through the first half before Scott Ross grabbed an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Eadan Ross put Pentland ahead in the second half only for Alan Steven to secure a share of the points for the villagers.
Keiss co-manager Bradley Thomson said: “It was closely fought and the teams seemed to cancel each other out for most of the game. A draw was probably a fair result, given that both teams had chances to get a win.
"We have a young squad that are getting better and adapting to county league football game by game. Results aren’t far away.”
Castletown kept their promotion push very much on track with a 3-0 away win against Top Joe's. Jack McKechnie, Connor Macleod and Greg Macleod got the goals, all in the first half.
The second period was a closer affair but Castletown were worthy winners as they maintained 100 per cent start in Division Two.
Meanwhile, Stevie Reid has vowed that Swifts' management team will take good care of the youngsters who are part of the squad this summer.
Two teenagers, Bailey Morrison and Kian Mackay, got the goals in a 2-0 victory over Watten at the Dammies on Monday night. It was Swifts' second win in their opening three Division Two games.
Watten's Scott Allan was sent off.
Reid, who stood down as Thurso manager less than three months into the North Caledonian League season, has taken charge of Swifts in the Caithness AFA campaign and is keen to play his part in nurturing the next generation of players.
“It took a while for us to get into it," he said after Monday's game. "Watten have some good players and they were neat and tidy.
“The Dammies is horrendous, though – it's full of holes and ruts from the winter. It is difficult to play football on it, to be honest. It is really bad.”
“They got a man sent off, deservedly so, and that helped us a wee bit.
“We'll just see what happens and give all these young guys an opportunity to play football. We've just got to watch them and manage them right. We've got to look after them and we've promised their parents we will do that.
“I played for Swifts myself for years. They are the oldest team in Thurso. I've got good people around about me that can help and take the load. It's enjoyable. If I can help young people then I'm happy.”
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