Robertson hails 'close-knit family feel' as John O'Groats win north coast derby
Co-manager Mark Robertson hailed the team spirit and "close-knit family feel" within the John O'Groats squad after their hard-fought victory in Monday night's north coast derby at Castletown.
Robertson said he was proud of the players who featured in the 2-1 win at Back Park and also made a point of praising the unused substitutes as John O'Groats boosted their hopes of avoiding the end-of-season relegation/promotion play-off.
After a game that saw four red cards – three for Castletown and one for John O'Groats – the teams are now level on the nine-point mark, ahead of Acks in bottom spot.
The visitors were two up at half-time thanks to Jordan Howden (penalty) and Saleem Bremner, despite being reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of Eddie MacGregor in between the goals.
Michael Smith pulled one back after the break but Castletown ended up with eight men on the park after Benn Murray, Garry Macleod and Danny Mackay were all given their marching orders in separate incidents.
Robertson believes that John O'Groats could have been challenging at the top end of Caithness AFA Division One if they'd had their strongest line-up available for every fixture.
"We've been really unlucky this season – I don't think we've had the same starting eleven two games in a row," he said. "Tonight was probably the most consistent starting eleven we've had. That's the starting eleven we should have in every game, but we've had injuries and suspensions.
"I believe we'd be in a far better position in the league if we'd had those boys. Fitness has been a massive thing too.
"I'm really proud of the guys. They did everything we asked of them, even the boys on the bench. None of them got on – we couldn't make a change because everything was right on the pitch.
"But I take my hat off to the guys on the bench as well because of their commitment, turning up and not getting on the pitch.
"We're a team – we win together and we lose together.
"If we'd had that starting eleven at the start of the season, and everyone was fit, I see no reason why we shouldn't be fighting for the league. We've got such a good team, but we just don't have consistency.
"We've not got the depth of Wick Groats and Pentland United, it's just impossible to have that depth.
"We've got a good few new young boys in the team, 15 and 16 years old. I was 14 myself when I started with John O'Groats and got the chance. We're trying to get them in and show them that there's a close-knit family feel to the club.
"There's a really good community spirit in the team and that's what we're trying to instil in these boys. They're really good players, we want them to stay with us, and it's building for the future too."
John O'Groats' last two league outings are against Acks and Staxigoe, while Castletown's remaining opponents are Wick Thistle and High Ormlie Hotspur.
Robertson said: "Every game is going to be tough. We've just got to wash down and prepare for the next game."
I know it's hard, but you've got to respect the referees.
The John O'Groats co-manager also had words of support for the local refereeing fraternity.
"The ref has got the hardest job on the planet, he is always the villain no matter what happens," Robertson said. "That's what I always say to the guys before a game and after a game – I know it's hard, but you've got to respect the referees because they're giving up their free time and if they don't do it there's no football.
"It's easy for us standing on the sidelines to criticise, because we're just seeing our vision of the game, but the referee is trying to catch everything. Without them we've got no football.
"Don't get me wrong, there are times when I don't bite my tongue either, but it's just the heat of the moment. You shake hands and what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch."
Lybster's home match against promotion rivals Swifts on August 9 has taken on added significance after the villagers were held by Top Joe's at Ormlie on Monday night.
TJ’s came from 2-0 and 3-2 down to earn a 3-3 draw. Lewis Mackillop (2) and Elliot Cormack scored for Lybster, with Jack MacGregor and Kevin MacGregor (2) on target for the Thurso outfit.
Swifts are now level on points with Lybster after a 5-0 win against Pentland.
Lybster and Swifts will also meet in the Steven Cup final at Cow Park on August 5 after they came through their respective semi-final ties on Friday. Lybster eased to a 7-0 victory over Watten, while Swifts beat Keiss 1-0.
Results – Caithness AFA Division One: Castletown 1, John O'Groats 2; Staxigoe United 3, Wick Thistle 1. Division Two: Thurso Pentland 0, Swifts 5; Top Joe's 3, Lybster 3.
Steven Cup, semi-finals: Lybster 7, Watten 0; Swifts 1, Keiss 0. Ken Green Challenge Cup: Orkney AFA 3, Wick Academy 0.
Fixtures – 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).
Saturday, July 29 – Highland League: Banks O' Dee v Wick Academy (3pm).
Tuesday, August 1 – David Allan Shield, semi-finals: High Ormlie Hotspur or Top Joe's v Castletown or Acks; Staxigoe United or Pentland United v Wick Thistle or Wick Groats (both 7pm).