Praise for Caithness United U13s as they keep up relentless run
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“As good a performance as I have seen from a team at this level,” was the view of Caithness United coach Alan Kennedy after the under-13s’ 3-0 victory over Inverness Balloan at Millburn Academy on Saturday.
Scott McDonald, Sam Reid and Morgan Kennedy got the goals as United added yet another scalp in their relentless winning run in the Moray Firth Youth Development League.
Balloan enjoyed the best of the opening 15 minutes, without creating any clear-cut opportunities.
United began to take control by retaining possession and stroking the ball about the pitch, although it wasn’t until the second period that they made the breakthrough.
First there were back-to-back opportunities, both of which fell to tireless midfielder Euan Kennedy.
The first was a well-placed shot from the edge of the box, and the second was a flicked header from a floated free kick by Owen Bain. Both were on target but were expertly dealt with by Balloan goalkeeper Kyle Jeffery.
However, United broke the deadlock when another well-worked passing move in midfield resulted in Caithness striker McDonald being released on goal. McDonald sprinted away from his opponent before executing a clinical finish low past a helpless Jeffery.
That settled the visitors’ nerves and they were now pinning Balloan deep in their own half. With the skilful Sam Reid becoming more and more influential, it seemed inevitable that Caithness would add to the scoreline.
Steven Esson slipped the ball in behind the defence to McDonald, who was thwarted by Jeffery.
A “high press” by United then resulted in Lee Gordon stealing the ball from a defender. Gordon waltzed past three Balloan defenders and released a fierce shot from the edge of the box that was acrobatically saved by the keeper.
There were occasions when the Inverness side caused the Caithness defence some problems. But the trustworthy back four, including centre-backs Kyran Alexander and Lewis Swan, managed to deal with all that was put in front of them.
Although Tom Armitage, in goal for Caithness, was not tested he was always alert and willing to provide his defence with the pass-back option.
In the final period Caithness came out of the blocks fast and got their rewards when Joshua Hughes undertook a one-two with Esson down the right before outpacing the Balloan full-back and squaring the ball into the box. The cross caused uncertainty in the defence, and Reid was left with the simplest of tap-ins to double United’s lead.
Our boys were superb, showing a patience and maturity in their play well beyond their years.
With 10 minutes remaining, Owen Bain delivered an accurate free kick that dissected the Balloan defence and found his team-mate Morgan Kennedy on the edge of the box. Kennedy quickly controlled the ball before slotting it into the corner of the goal to seal the victory.
Coach Kennedy said: “Balloan were well organised and resolute but our boys were superb, showing a patience and maturity in their play well beyond their years.”
Balloan coach Martin Fitzgerald was full of praise for the visitors. He said: “What a great game, and a fantastic battle in the middle of the park. I couldn’t ask for any more from my boys – we gave everything we had out there.
“Caithness United have some excellent players in their team, who managed to control the game for long periods. I’d like to wish them all the best for the rest of their campaign.”
