We had to win it twice, says Gray as late goals seal victory for Stabbies
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There was a mix of frustration and relief for Pentland United co-manager Michael Gray after the Stabbies emerged with a 4-2 win in their Caithness AFA Division One clash with Castletown.
The county champions saw a two-goal lead wiped out as Tom McKenna's side got back on level terms at Ham Park on Tuesday night, but two late strikes made sure of the points for United.
The result lifted them back to the top of the table after Wick Groats lost for the first time this season, although United have played one game more.
"It was a sense of relief and a bit of frustration at the same time," Gray said. "I went into the changing room and said we've won the game twice there. We got ourselves into a winning position and failed to manage the game.
"Castletown are well organised and Tom has got them playing with a spirit where they never give in. They got themselves level, but we've shown a bit of character ourselves to respond and get the win."
Marc Macgregor smashed in the opener early on after being played through by James Murray. Conor Cormack doubled United's lead early in the second period with a swerving right-foot shot.
Michael Smith reduced the deficit and a goal from Dylan Alexander made it all square.
James McLean swept home United's third with a few minutes remaining, then Sam Mackay added a fourth with an audacious shot from the centre circle after he spotted the keeper off his line.
"When we got the second goal we should have been able to manage it out from that point," Gray said. "But credit to Castletown – they never stopped. We got quite slack in the midfield and they took advantage.
"We pretty much dominated the second half without maybe working the keeper as much as we would have liked."
Commenting on Mackay's long-range strike, Gray said: "It was great technique and great vision. He tells me that running is overrated!"
McKenna said: "I thought there wasn't much between the two teams. It was a good game of football to watch and I thought we competed really well.
"We kept the ball well and we created numerous chances. I thought a draw would have been not far from a fair result.
"I was really proud of the lads. Every time we go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the county we seem to do really well.
"The lads have got to maintain those levels and show more consistency week in, week out. They've got to take a lot of heart from the performance and move forward with that."
McKenna is set for a busy weekend, with his coaching commitments taking him over the Pentland Firth on Saturday and down to Inverness on Sunday.
He will again be in charge of the Caithness AFA select for the annual Archer Shield match against Orkney. Caithness won 1-0 in Thurso last year.
"I'm looking forward to it," the former Wick Academy boss said. "I don't think we've won it over there for a wee while now.
"It's always great to represent your county and I'm quite honoured to be asked again to do it."
McKenna is also head coach of Caithness Ladies, who on Sunday are away to Clachnacuddin Women in the SWF Highlands and Islands League.
"I love it," he said. "I've got an absolute passion for football and trying to develop people. If I can see a smile on people's faces by just doing a wee bit of work with them, then it's all beneficial for me."
Results – Colin Macleod Memorial Cup final: Wick Groats 1, Wick Thistle 0 (in Castletown).
Caithness AFA Division One: John O'Groats 1, High Ormlie Hotspur 4; Pentland United 4, Castletown 2; Wick Groats 1, Staxigoe United 2.
Fixtures – Wednesday, June 14 – Caithness AFA Division Two: Keiss v Watten; Lybster v Top Joe's; Swifts v Thurso Pentland (all 7.30pm).
Saturday, June 17 – Archer Shield, Orkney v Caithness.
Sunday, June 18 – SWF Highlands and Islands League: Clachnacuddin Women v Caithness Ladies.
Monday, June 19 – Division Two: Keiss v Top Joe's; Thurso Pentland v Lybster; Watten v Swifts (all 7.30pm).
Wednesday, June 21 – Eain Mackintosh Cup, quarter-finals: Acks v Keiss; High Ormlie Hotspur v Castletown; Wick Groats v Staxigoe United; Wick Thistle v Pentland United (all 7.15pm).
