Home   Sport   Article

Praise for Staxigoe youngsters as points are shared with league champions





Jack Steven turns to celebrate after putting Staxigoe United ahead against Pentland United at Ham Park. Picture: James Gunn
Jack Steven turns to celebrate after putting Staxigoe United ahead against Pentland United at Ham Park. Picture: James Gunn

Staxigoe United manager Colin Sinclair has paid tribute to the talented youngsters in his squad, declaring: "They've never let us down."

He was speaking after a hard-earned 1-1 draw away to champions Pentland United in Caithness AFA Division One on Tuesday night.

Staxigoe had seven teenagers on the pitch at one stage in the second half.

"I thought all our players worked their socks off and we couldn't ask any more from them," Sinclair said.

"To come out here and get a point against them is a bonus point for us, really. It was probably just rewards."

Staxigoe went ahead when Morgan Kennedy's cutback was flicked in by Jack Steven.

United struggled to find a way through until Marc Macgregor came off the bench and grabbed the equaliser. A header by James McLean was parried by goalkeeper Leo Shearer and Macgregor was on hand to knock it in.

"They dominated the game but we held our shape," Sinclair said. "We were short, so we just did what we could and they didn't really break us down much at all.

"They are always a danger from their set-pieces with the quality that they've got and the height that they've got as well."

The teams meet again in Wick next Friday, this time in the quarter-finals of the David Allan Shield.

Sinclair said: "It's a chance to try and get to a semi-final, hopefully, which isn't going to be easy because we've got Pentland United again.

"But if we can go out and match what we've done tonight then we'll just go for it and you never know what can happen.

"Hopefully we'll have a few more players back for it as well and that will make a difference.

"With the boys that were missing tonight, we knew we were relying on our youngsters who to be honest this season have never let us down.

"Sometimes you're a bit wary of throwing them in but they give everything and I take my hat off to them. They've done well, they've never let us down at all.

"It brings them on as well and it gives them a bit of reward. They've turned up every week and they've trained the whole winter with us, so good on them. Hopefully we can hold on to them."

Staxigoe United's Morgan Kennedy beats goalkeeper Owen Gordon but his effort went wide. Picture: James Gunn
Staxigoe United's Morgan Kennedy beats goalkeeper Owen Gordon but his effort went wide. Picture: James Gunn

Acks' relegation worries deepened as they were beaten 3-0 at home by Castletown. Connor Macleod, Michael Smith and Garry Macleod got the goals.

Results – Caithness AFA Division One: Acks 0, Castletown 3; John O'Groats 1, Wick Groats 2; Pentland United 1, Staxigoe United 1; Wick Groats 4, John O'Groats 1; Wick Thistle 0, High Ormlie Hotspur 4.

Division Two: Keiss 4, Top Joe's 0; Lybster 20, Thurso Pentland 1; Swifts 5, Watten 0.

Steven Cup, quarter-finals: Thurso Pentland 2, Keiss 7; Top Joe's 1, Lybster 3.

Fixtures – Friday, July 21 – Caithness AFA Division One: Staxigoe United v Wick Thistle (7.30pm).

Steven Cup, semi-finals: Lybster v Watten; Swifts v Keiss (both 7.15pm).

Saturday, July 22 – Ken Green Challenge Cup: Orkney AFA v Wick Academy (Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall, 12.30pm).

Monday, July 24 – Caithness AFA Division One: Castletown v John O'Groats. Division Two: Thurso Pentland v Swifts; Top Joe's v Lybster (all 7.15pm).

Tuesday, July 25 – Division One: Acks v Pentland United; High Ormlie Hotspur v Wick Groats; Wick Thistle v Staxigoe United. Division Two: Watten v Keiss (all 7.15pm).

Friday, July 28 – David Allan Shield, quarter-finals: Castletown v Acks; High Ormlie Hotspur v Top Joe's; Staxigoe United v Pentland United (at Lybster); Wick Thistle v Wick Groats (all 7pm).


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More