Post by Brian Mackay on Jun 29, 2007 11:49:17 GMT
Castletown grab crucial win in title race
By Iain Grant - iain-grant@ukf.net
Published: 29 June, 2007
CASTLETOWN are now short-priced favourites to lift the County League first division title. Their 2-1 win at Ham Park last night puts them two points clear at the top with two games in hand on their only serious rivals, Pentland United.
The victory in front of a crowd of around 250 means Castletown can now set their sights on emulating their previous title success in 1989.
The first action came after three minutes when Castletown keeper Asa Sinclair made a brave block to deny Grant Budge.
An early series of tetchy exchanges culminated in a 10th-minute booking for Castletown's Ewan Scott.
With space in a congested midfield at a premium, United had the edge in first-half possession and territory.
The last in a flurry of United corners saw Mark Begg's inviting delivery palmed out by Sinclair. The ball fell behind Brian Gray, whose overhead effort clattered back off the face of the crossbar.
Tony Farquhar missed a glorious chance after 28 minutes when he got on the end of a flowing move. Begg's first-time cross picked out the striker but he hooked over from six yards.
It was against the run of play when Castletown went ahead after 32 minutes. Stuart Florence's astute through ball was smartly turned past Michael Gray by Chris Sutherland.
A largely uneventful opening to the second period saw Graham MacDonald and Farquhar add to the bookings.
Sutherland went close to a second after 56 minutes when he ran onto Gavin Henderson's headed knock-down and volleyed just over.
There was a 10-minute hold-up when United defender Michael Steven was stretchered off midway through the second half after damaging an Achilles tendon in falling awkwardly.
The visitors grabbed a second after 86 minutes when Scott's cross was skilfully headed home by Steven MacDonald. United hit back two minutes later when Budge created space for himself to fire home.
Deep in injury time Sinclair pulled off a marvellous stop to deny Budge as Castletown held on for a vital win.
Earlier, United's hopes had been knocked when they lost two precious points at home to their Thurso namesakes. The visitors were not flattered by the 0-0 scoreline and could have nicked a victory had they converted one of two late chances.
A lacklustre United edged the first half without creating much in the way of clear-cut chances. As the game wore on, Thurso Pentland – on the back of 10 straight defeats – gained confidence and sensed they could end their long barren streak at Ham Park.
Their prospects were improved when United midfielder Willie Inrig was ordered off after getting a second yellow card for a foul on youngster Mark Begg.
In the closing minutes, home keeper Michael Gray's fingertips turned an Adam Sutherland shot onto the bar and Grant Steven fired inches wide.
Wick Rovers' third win on the trot on Monday thrust them into a comfortable mid-table slot.
Their home game against Acks was finely balanced at the interval. The goalless stalemate was maintained by two top-drawer stops from Acks keeper Brian Mackay, both from efforts by John Harper.
Bryan McKiddie also had a stonewall penalty claim rejected, though there was a scare at the other end when defender Richie Mackay's pressurised clearance rebounded back off the crossbar.
Rovers went ahead 10 minutes after the break with a cleanly-struck 25-yarder from Harry Hourston, his first of the campaign. Alan Sinclair followed this up less than five minutes later with a sweet connection following a corner.
The game went dead until a late goal flurry from the home outfit. Paul MacDonald played in Angus Mackay to net with a measured chip with just under 10 minutes left. In the last minute, Kevin McGee's clearance was flicked on by Ryan Robertson for Stevie Reid to round Mackay and tap home.
There was still time for Robertson to nip in to make it 5-0.
On Wednesday, war-weary Rovers – playing their fourth match in seven days – entertained Swifts. The 1-1 result lifted the Wick outfit into fourth place while effectively snuffing out any title aspirations still cherished by Stevie Reid's men.
John Harper and Andrew Weir had threatened early on before Swifts went into a 15th-minute lead with their first serious attack. Jamie MacKenzie released his brother Nigel, who cut in from the flank before firing past Kevin McGee.
Seven minutes later, Rovers levelled when Harper's free kick was headed across goal by Sinclair and Weir controlled it before firing home.
A well-contested game saw Willie Steven head just wide before Rovers' Reid was unable to beat Lee Allan after being sent clear.
After the break, Swifts' new signing Gavin Bremner produced a smart save from McGee before Bryan McKiddie went close at the other end following a marvellous solo run.
McKiddie and Nigel MacKenzie had shots well held, with the last serious action seeing the Swifts bench in a frenzy after Mark Nichol was the victim of a marginal offside decision when set for an unobstructed run-in.
John O'Groats avenged two defeats in Halkirk with a 2-0 home win on a night of driving rain and swirling wind.
Stuart Sinclair (the elder) opened the scoring after 14 minutes when he got on the end of a free kick. The same played killed off the game with his second 10 minutes from time.
Wick Thistle are in line for disciplinary action after calling off their scheduled clash in Thurso versus Swifts on Monday. They face a fine and a points deduction, with the latter especially unwelcome given their lowly league position.
Meanwhile, Wick Groats are heading back to the top flight after wrapping up the second division. Having already gained promotion, their 2-0 win over Francis Street Club in their penultimate game clinched the championship for them.
Joining them in the first division after a long absence are Keiss, whose young side sealed the runners-up spot with a hard-earned 2-1 victory over FSC in their last league match.
Groats' success allows them to help purge the trauma they suffered after being relegated on the final night of last season.
FSC proved a hard nut to crack for Groats, with keeper Andrew Harper producing heroics to keep a clean slate in the first half. It was midway through the second period before the deadlock was broken when Greg Shearer followed up to score after Harper had denied Kyle Ross.
The second was scored by player/manager Stewart Ross after he had been sent clear by a long-range driven pass from Kevin Miller.
Harper was again in fine form against Keiss. Francis Street drew first blood thanks to a flashing 20-yard drive from Nathan Mackay. Keiss equalised before the break through Graham MacNab, who tapped home after FSC's defence had been unlocked by a couple of slick one-twos.
Keiss had the upper hand after the interval, with Dean Salim hitting the bar. Harper denied Peter Niwa when he was put clear and then pulled off an astonishing double block from Colin Mackenzie and Graham MacNab.
With frustration levels building up, Keiss got the all-important winner 10 minutes from time when a fine run by MacKenzie ended with him firing against a post and Niwa was on hand to net the rebound.
Lybster finished their campaign with a 4-1 win at home to Ashes. The Thurso side took the lead after 25 minutes through ex-Wick Thistle striker Terry Cannop, playing as a trialist.
An even contest saw Lybster deservedly pull level on 33 minutes when the aftermath to a corner ended with Stefan Sutherland netting with a rising, angled shot from 12 yards.
The home side appeared to have more joy playing against the strong wind and they went in front after 71 minutes when Roddy Mackay's effort took a double deflection before crossing the line.
Four minutes later, Danny Gunn scrambled a third. Lybster's fourth was created by a measured cross from Alan Larnach and converted by Alan Henderson with a firm header.
Fixtures: Tonight (7.30) – County League, Division One: Thurso Pentland v Acks.
Tomorrow (3.00) – Macleod IFA Highland Amateur Cup, third round replay: Avoch v Swifts.
Monday (7.30) – Division One: Castletown v Wick Thistle; Halkirk v Pentland United; John O'Groats v Rovers.
Wednesday (7.30) – Division One: Swifts v Halkirk.
Thursday – Division One (7.30): Acks v John O'Groats. Steven Cup (7.15): FSC v Ashes; Top Joe's v Lybster.
Results – Macleod IFA Highland Amateur Cup, third round: John O'Groats 2, Kyleakin 0; Lochs 3, Wick Thistle 0; Stornoway Athletic 2, Pentland United 6; Swifts 1, Avoch 1; Wick Rovers 2, Point 3.
County League, Division One: John O'Groats 2, Halkirk 0; Pentland United 1, Castletown 2; Pentland United 0, Thurso Pentland 0; Rovers 5, Acks 0; Rovers 1, Swifts 1.
Division Two: FSC 1, Keiss 2; Lybster 4, Ashes 1; FSC 0, Wick Groats 2.
By Iain Grant - iain-grant@ukf.net
Published: 29 June, 2007
CASTLETOWN are now short-priced favourites to lift the County League first division title. Their 2-1 win at Ham Park last night puts them two points clear at the top with two games in hand on their only serious rivals, Pentland United.
The victory in front of a crowd of around 250 means Castletown can now set their sights on emulating their previous title success in 1989.
The first action came after three minutes when Castletown keeper Asa Sinclair made a brave block to deny Grant Budge.
An early series of tetchy exchanges culminated in a 10th-minute booking for Castletown's Ewan Scott.
With space in a congested midfield at a premium, United had the edge in first-half possession and territory.
The last in a flurry of United corners saw Mark Begg's inviting delivery palmed out by Sinclair. The ball fell behind Brian Gray, whose overhead effort clattered back off the face of the crossbar.
Tony Farquhar missed a glorious chance after 28 minutes when he got on the end of a flowing move. Begg's first-time cross picked out the striker but he hooked over from six yards.
It was against the run of play when Castletown went ahead after 32 minutes. Stuart Florence's astute through ball was smartly turned past Michael Gray by Chris Sutherland.
A largely uneventful opening to the second period saw Graham MacDonald and Farquhar add to the bookings.
Sutherland went close to a second after 56 minutes when he ran onto Gavin Henderson's headed knock-down and volleyed just over.
There was a 10-minute hold-up when United defender Michael Steven was stretchered off midway through the second half after damaging an Achilles tendon in falling awkwardly.
The visitors grabbed a second after 86 minutes when Scott's cross was skilfully headed home by Steven MacDonald. United hit back two minutes later when Budge created space for himself to fire home.
Deep in injury time Sinclair pulled off a marvellous stop to deny Budge as Castletown held on for a vital win.
Earlier, United's hopes had been knocked when they lost two precious points at home to their Thurso namesakes. The visitors were not flattered by the 0-0 scoreline and could have nicked a victory had they converted one of two late chances.
A lacklustre United edged the first half without creating much in the way of clear-cut chances. As the game wore on, Thurso Pentland – on the back of 10 straight defeats – gained confidence and sensed they could end their long barren streak at Ham Park.
Their prospects were improved when United midfielder Willie Inrig was ordered off after getting a second yellow card for a foul on youngster Mark Begg.
In the closing minutes, home keeper Michael Gray's fingertips turned an Adam Sutherland shot onto the bar and Grant Steven fired inches wide.
Wick Rovers' third win on the trot on Monday thrust them into a comfortable mid-table slot.
Their home game against Acks was finely balanced at the interval. The goalless stalemate was maintained by two top-drawer stops from Acks keeper Brian Mackay, both from efforts by John Harper.
Bryan McKiddie also had a stonewall penalty claim rejected, though there was a scare at the other end when defender Richie Mackay's pressurised clearance rebounded back off the crossbar.
Rovers went ahead 10 minutes after the break with a cleanly-struck 25-yarder from Harry Hourston, his first of the campaign. Alan Sinclair followed this up less than five minutes later with a sweet connection following a corner.
The game went dead until a late goal flurry from the home outfit. Paul MacDonald played in Angus Mackay to net with a measured chip with just under 10 minutes left. In the last minute, Kevin McGee's clearance was flicked on by Ryan Robertson for Stevie Reid to round Mackay and tap home.
There was still time for Robertson to nip in to make it 5-0.
On Wednesday, war-weary Rovers – playing their fourth match in seven days – entertained Swifts. The 1-1 result lifted the Wick outfit into fourth place while effectively snuffing out any title aspirations still cherished by Stevie Reid's men.
John Harper and Andrew Weir had threatened early on before Swifts went into a 15th-minute lead with their first serious attack. Jamie MacKenzie released his brother Nigel, who cut in from the flank before firing past Kevin McGee.
Seven minutes later, Rovers levelled when Harper's free kick was headed across goal by Sinclair and Weir controlled it before firing home.
A well-contested game saw Willie Steven head just wide before Rovers' Reid was unable to beat Lee Allan after being sent clear.
After the break, Swifts' new signing Gavin Bremner produced a smart save from McGee before Bryan McKiddie went close at the other end following a marvellous solo run.
McKiddie and Nigel MacKenzie had shots well held, with the last serious action seeing the Swifts bench in a frenzy after Mark Nichol was the victim of a marginal offside decision when set for an unobstructed run-in.
John O'Groats avenged two defeats in Halkirk with a 2-0 home win on a night of driving rain and swirling wind.
Stuart Sinclair (the elder) opened the scoring after 14 minutes when he got on the end of a free kick. The same played killed off the game with his second 10 minutes from time.
Wick Thistle are in line for disciplinary action after calling off their scheduled clash in Thurso versus Swifts on Monday. They face a fine and a points deduction, with the latter especially unwelcome given their lowly league position.
Meanwhile, Wick Groats are heading back to the top flight after wrapping up the second division. Having already gained promotion, their 2-0 win over Francis Street Club in their penultimate game clinched the championship for them.
Joining them in the first division after a long absence are Keiss, whose young side sealed the runners-up spot with a hard-earned 2-1 victory over FSC in their last league match.
Groats' success allows them to help purge the trauma they suffered after being relegated on the final night of last season.
FSC proved a hard nut to crack for Groats, with keeper Andrew Harper producing heroics to keep a clean slate in the first half. It was midway through the second period before the deadlock was broken when Greg Shearer followed up to score after Harper had denied Kyle Ross.
The second was scored by player/manager Stewart Ross after he had been sent clear by a long-range driven pass from Kevin Miller.
Harper was again in fine form against Keiss. Francis Street drew first blood thanks to a flashing 20-yard drive from Nathan Mackay. Keiss equalised before the break through Graham MacNab, who tapped home after FSC's defence had been unlocked by a couple of slick one-twos.
Keiss had the upper hand after the interval, with Dean Salim hitting the bar. Harper denied Peter Niwa when he was put clear and then pulled off an astonishing double block from Colin Mackenzie and Graham MacNab.
With frustration levels building up, Keiss got the all-important winner 10 minutes from time when a fine run by MacKenzie ended with him firing against a post and Niwa was on hand to net the rebound.
Lybster finished their campaign with a 4-1 win at home to Ashes. The Thurso side took the lead after 25 minutes through ex-Wick Thistle striker Terry Cannop, playing as a trialist.
An even contest saw Lybster deservedly pull level on 33 minutes when the aftermath to a corner ended with Stefan Sutherland netting with a rising, angled shot from 12 yards.
The home side appeared to have more joy playing against the strong wind and they went in front after 71 minutes when Roddy Mackay's effort took a double deflection before crossing the line.
Four minutes later, Danny Gunn scrambled a third. Lybster's fourth was created by a measured cross from Alan Larnach and converted by Alan Henderson with a firm header.
Fixtures: Tonight (7.30) – County League, Division One: Thurso Pentland v Acks.
Tomorrow (3.00) – Macleod IFA Highland Amateur Cup, third round replay: Avoch v Swifts.
Monday (7.30) – Division One: Castletown v Wick Thistle; Halkirk v Pentland United; John O'Groats v Rovers.
Wednesday (7.30) – Division One: Swifts v Halkirk.
Thursday – Division One (7.30): Acks v John O'Groats. Steven Cup (7.15): FSC v Ashes; Top Joe's v Lybster.
Results – Macleod IFA Highland Amateur Cup, third round: John O'Groats 2, Kyleakin 0; Lochs 3, Wick Thistle 0; Stornoway Athletic 2, Pentland United 6; Swifts 1, Avoch 1; Wick Rovers 2, Point 3.
County League, Division One: John O'Groats 2, Halkirk 0; Pentland United 1, Castletown 2; Pentland United 0, Thurso Pentland 0; Rovers 5, Acks 0; Rovers 1, Swifts 1.
Division Two: FSC 1, Keiss 2; Lybster 4, Ashes 1; FSC 0, Wick Groats 2.