Physicality was difference in Caithness cup defeat, says head coach
Physicality was the key factor in Caithness Ladies’ narrow loss to Sutherland in their SWF Highlands and Islands Cup tie on Sunday, according to head coach Tom McKenna.
“Sutherland are a big, strong, physical team,” McKenna said after the 3-2 defeat in Castletown.
“They’ve got strong ladies in the middle of the park and they’re good footballers as well. They play to their strengths.
“We are more a footballing team, we don’t have the physicality that Sutherland have got, and that was the difference. They utilise their strengths really well.
“We could have passed the ball a wee bit better. At times we were taking too many touches or delaying our decision-making and not getting on the ball quickly enough, and you’re just inviting pressure.”
Kerrie Martin and Carly Erridge were the Caithness scorers.
Caithness are still well placed to progress to the semi-finals.
“Unless Nairn go and beat Sutherland with a ridiculous result, we should be in the semi-finals and we’re doing okay in the league,” McKenna said.
“That’s the first game we've lost this year. We’ve started off well.”
The remaining group tie between Sutherland and Nairn is scheduled for June 14.
Results – SWF Highlands and Islands League Cup: Caithness 2, Sutherland 3; Clachnacuddin 0, Shetland 7.
Fixtures – SWF Highlands and Islands League – Wednesday, May 21: Clachnacuddin v Nairn St Ninian.
Saturday, May 24: Clachnacuddin v Sutherland. Sunday, May 25: Caithness v Orkney (2.15pm, Castletown); Nairn St Ninian v Buckie.