Post by Brian Mackay on May 4, 2007 18:28:31 GMT
Manson hits hat-trick as United suffer first defeat
By Iain Grant
Published: 04 May, 2007
LAST year’s County League first division champions Pentland United crashed to their first defeat of the season on Wednesday night when they lost 4-2 away to neighbours Castletown.
Castletown were 2-0 up before the sides grabbed two apiece in a late goal run in what was throughout a hotly-contested affair.
The Castletown hero was Scott Manson, who got a hat-trick – a rare feat in recent years against the normally unyielding United defence.
The flame-haired teenager struck his first midway through the first half when he raced on to Gavin Henderson’s driven cross to net with a full-length diving header.
Manson’s second came around the hour mark when he got on the end of Graham MacDonald’s assist and beat keeper Michael Gray with an assured finish.
United had seldom threatened the Castletown goal but they got back into the contest with a penalty converted by Willie Inrig.
Their deficit was back to two within a couple of minutes, however, when a head-flick by old warhorse Colin MacLeod found Chris Sutherland whose first-time drive flew past Gray into the far corner of the net.
Castletown had a scare when a goalmouth mêlée ended with keeper Asa Sinclair tipping the ball against his own bar before it was booted to safety.
United got a second with 10 minutes left when Gavin Bremner’s cross was chested down by Tony Farquhar before he unleashed an unstoppable volley.
With United pressing forward for an equaliser they were caught by the classic sucker punch, with MacLeod again the provider as he played in Manson for his hat-trick goal.
Earlier, Castletown and Swifts had featured in one of the best tussles of the season when they shared the spoils at the Dammies. The village outfit looked the livelier throughout, and the Thurso men were fortunate to come away with a 1-1 draw thanks to a late equaliser.
Manson hit the bar for Castletown before the interval with a cross-cum-shot which deceived home keeper Lee Allan.
It was a similar effort that put them in front on the hour mark. Sutherland’s strike from near the right touchline flew over Allan and lodged in the far corner of the net.
Castletown keeper Sinclair did well to turn away a stinging free kick from Mark Nichol before Sutherland missed a golden chance to double his team’s lead.
It proved costly when veteran Willie Steven levelled in the 77th minute with a point-blank header following an assist by Nichol.
Pher Nicolson and Des MacLeod went on to pass up decent chances at either end.
Pentland United, meanwhile, had cruised to a 9-1 victory over their namesakes in Thurso. Scott Mackay Steven led the way with a well-taken treble, though he also had a hat-trick of misses.
Tony Farquhar and Gavin Bremner each grabbed a double and Lee Sutherland and Willie Inrig (penalty) got one apiece. Robert Bell scored a late belter for the hosts.
Wick Thistle came from behind to rack up their first three-pointer of the season with a morale-boosting 2-1 home win over Swifts.
The visitors enjoyed a brisk start and went ahead after 25 minutes through Nichol. Thistle keeper Graeme Williamson got both hands to the striker’s chip but could not prevent the ball crossing the line.
The Wick side came back strongly and Terry Cannop missed a snip before they levelled five minutes before the break. Robbie Flett sent in Scott Mackenzie and the 15-year-old netted at the second attempt after his first effort had been parried by Allan.
The Jags went in front on 63 minutes when Blair McIntosh fouled Sean Stewart in the box and Chris Gunn slotted home the spot-kick.
A barnstorming finish saw the visitors almost salvage a point when Jamie Sutherland bundled Willie Steven’s shot from a corner off the line.
Apart from Castletown, the only other unbeaten side in the division are Halkirk. Their impressive start to their first season back in the top flight continued with a last-minute smash-and-grab win against John O’Groats on Monday.
It was an even contest, though the visitors had monopolised the efforts on goal until Johnnie Mackay’s dramatic winner.
John O’Groats’ closest call came in the first half when Martin Sinclair hit the bar with an overhead effort after home keeper Stuart MacCulloch had denied Sean Henstridge.
Halkirk survived two penalty appeals after the interval, with a snap-shot from Steven Campbell just about their only threat.
Scott Manson celebrates the opener for Castletown in Wednesday’s game against Pentland United. He went on to complete his hat-trick. John Baikie 07789 557586
The winner came when Lee Elder ran down the wing, leaving three defenders trailing in his wake, before he crossed for Mackay to net from close range.
From the kick-off, John O’Groats broke up the park and Stuart Sinclair (the elder) missed a great chance to level when he headed over from prime position.
Acks notched up their first victory with a derby success over Pentland. The latter, who have key men injured, were facing their third game in six days after an unexplained fixture switch at short notice.
They had the better of the first half, though Acks had the best chance when Gavin Cunningham headed wide with the goal at his mercy.
Despy Mackay blasted over when he should have scored early in the second period before his side fell behind to a Robert Mackay goal.
Late on, Acks made sure of their win when Darryn Mackay handled in the box and Murray Coghill – making a welcome comeback after a prolonged spell out – converted the penalty.
Francis Street Club’s third win of the season from three outings makes them the early second division pacesetters.
On Wednesday, they came from behind to win 3-1 against Ashes on a Lower Bignold pitch which was in very poor condition.
The opener was gift-wrapped by FSC defender Andrew Bremner, whose suicide ball across his own 18-yard line fell perfectly for veteran Dougie Mackay to slot past Andrew Harper.
Youngster Hasheem Ahmed hit the post with a header before getting the home side level with the last kick of the first half.
FSC went on to dominate, with Bremner going close with three headers from set-pieces before Ahmed struck twice more to complete a fine hat-trick.
Francis Street had earlier come away with a 2-0 win in Lybster.
The home side paid dearly for squandering a clutch of gilt-edged chances in the first period. Alan Henderson and Alan Larnach either missed the target or were denied by visiting keeper Andrew Harper.
Twelve minutes after the turnaround, Darren Shepherd gave FSC the lead when he converted the follow-up after his penalty had been blocked by Lee Sutherland.
Harper then foiled Gareth Miller before the Wickers grabbed a second 10 minutes from time through Craig Henderson.
Wick Groats’ free-scoring form dried up on Wednesday when they had to settle for a goalless draw at Lybster.
Despite the lack of goals, it proved an entertaining contest with both sides having chances to win.
Gregg Shearer went closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half but he was denied by a good stop from keeper Sutherland. Henderson should have scored two minutes into the second half when he rounded the keeper only to knock the ball wide of the open goal.
Sutherland was called into action twice during strong pressure by Groats but could only stand and watch as a stinging shot from Mark Shepherd cracked back off the underside of the bar.
Sutherland pulled off a fine block to deny Derek Shearer, with Henderson passing up a decent chance to win it for the villagers at the death.
Fixtures: Monday (7.00) – County League, Division One: Pentland United v Halkirk; Wick Rovers v John O’Groats.
Tuesday (7.00) – Division One: Wick Thistle v Castletown. Division Two: Ashes v Keiss; Lybster v Top Joe’s.
Wednesday (7.00) – Division One: John O’Groats v Acks. Division Two: Wick Groats v FSC.
Results – MacLeod IFA Highland Amateur Cup, preliminary round replay: Keiss 6, Lairg Rovers 0. County League, Division One: Acks 2, Thurso Pentland 0; Castletown 4, Pentland United 2; Halkirk 1, John O’Groats 0; Swifts 1, Castletown 1; Thurso Pentland 1, Pentland United 9; Wick Thistle 2, Swifts 1. Division Two: FSC 3, Ashes 1; Lybster 0, FSC 2; Lybster 0, Wick Groats 0.
* Thurso Comm FC is having a reunion on May 19 to which all present and former players of are invited. A friendly, non-contact competition at Sir George’s Park will be followed by a social. Proceeds from a raffle and other income will be donated to Caithness United’s trip to the Aberdeen youth tournament in August.
By Iain Grant
Published: 04 May, 2007
LAST year’s County League first division champions Pentland United crashed to their first defeat of the season on Wednesday night when they lost 4-2 away to neighbours Castletown.
Castletown were 2-0 up before the sides grabbed two apiece in a late goal run in what was throughout a hotly-contested affair.
The Castletown hero was Scott Manson, who got a hat-trick – a rare feat in recent years against the normally unyielding United defence.
The flame-haired teenager struck his first midway through the first half when he raced on to Gavin Henderson’s driven cross to net with a full-length diving header.
Manson’s second came around the hour mark when he got on the end of Graham MacDonald’s assist and beat keeper Michael Gray with an assured finish.
United had seldom threatened the Castletown goal but they got back into the contest with a penalty converted by Willie Inrig.
Their deficit was back to two within a couple of minutes, however, when a head-flick by old warhorse Colin MacLeod found Chris Sutherland whose first-time drive flew past Gray into the far corner of the net.
Castletown had a scare when a goalmouth mêlée ended with keeper Asa Sinclair tipping the ball against his own bar before it was booted to safety.
United got a second with 10 minutes left when Gavin Bremner’s cross was chested down by Tony Farquhar before he unleashed an unstoppable volley.
With United pressing forward for an equaliser they were caught by the classic sucker punch, with MacLeod again the provider as he played in Manson for his hat-trick goal.
Earlier, Castletown and Swifts had featured in one of the best tussles of the season when they shared the spoils at the Dammies. The village outfit looked the livelier throughout, and the Thurso men were fortunate to come away with a 1-1 draw thanks to a late equaliser.
Manson hit the bar for Castletown before the interval with a cross-cum-shot which deceived home keeper Lee Allan.
It was a similar effort that put them in front on the hour mark. Sutherland’s strike from near the right touchline flew over Allan and lodged in the far corner of the net.
Castletown keeper Sinclair did well to turn away a stinging free kick from Mark Nichol before Sutherland missed a golden chance to double his team’s lead.
It proved costly when veteran Willie Steven levelled in the 77th minute with a point-blank header following an assist by Nichol.
Pher Nicolson and Des MacLeod went on to pass up decent chances at either end.
Pentland United, meanwhile, had cruised to a 9-1 victory over their namesakes in Thurso. Scott Mackay Steven led the way with a well-taken treble, though he also had a hat-trick of misses.
Tony Farquhar and Gavin Bremner each grabbed a double and Lee Sutherland and Willie Inrig (penalty) got one apiece. Robert Bell scored a late belter for the hosts.
Wick Thistle came from behind to rack up their first three-pointer of the season with a morale-boosting 2-1 home win over Swifts.
The visitors enjoyed a brisk start and went ahead after 25 minutes through Nichol. Thistle keeper Graeme Williamson got both hands to the striker’s chip but could not prevent the ball crossing the line.
The Wick side came back strongly and Terry Cannop missed a snip before they levelled five minutes before the break. Robbie Flett sent in Scott Mackenzie and the 15-year-old netted at the second attempt after his first effort had been parried by Allan.
The Jags went in front on 63 minutes when Blair McIntosh fouled Sean Stewart in the box and Chris Gunn slotted home the spot-kick.
A barnstorming finish saw the visitors almost salvage a point when Jamie Sutherland bundled Willie Steven’s shot from a corner off the line.
Apart from Castletown, the only other unbeaten side in the division are Halkirk. Their impressive start to their first season back in the top flight continued with a last-minute smash-and-grab win against John O’Groats on Monday.
It was an even contest, though the visitors had monopolised the efforts on goal until Johnnie Mackay’s dramatic winner.
John O’Groats’ closest call came in the first half when Martin Sinclair hit the bar with an overhead effort after home keeper Stuart MacCulloch had denied Sean Henstridge.
Halkirk survived two penalty appeals after the interval, with a snap-shot from Steven Campbell just about their only threat.
Scott Manson celebrates the opener for Castletown in Wednesday’s game against Pentland United. He went on to complete his hat-trick. John Baikie 07789 557586
The winner came when Lee Elder ran down the wing, leaving three defenders trailing in his wake, before he crossed for Mackay to net from close range.
From the kick-off, John O’Groats broke up the park and Stuart Sinclair (the elder) missed a great chance to level when he headed over from prime position.
Acks notched up their first victory with a derby success over Pentland. The latter, who have key men injured, were facing their third game in six days after an unexplained fixture switch at short notice.
They had the better of the first half, though Acks had the best chance when Gavin Cunningham headed wide with the goal at his mercy.
Despy Mackay blasted over when he should have scored early in the second period before his side fell behind to a Robert Mackay goal.
Late on, Acks made sure of their win when Darryn Mackay handled in the box and Murray Coghill – making a welcome comeback after a prolonged spell out – converted the penalty.
Francis Street Club’s third win of the season from three outings makes them the early second division pacesetters.
On Wednesday, they came from behind to win 3-1 against Ashes on a Lower Bignold pitch which was in very poor condition.
The opener was gift-wrapped by FSC defender Andrew Bremner, whose suicide ball across his own 18-yard line fell perfectly for veteran Dougie Mackay to slot past Andrew Harper.
Youngster Hasheem Ahmed hit the post with a header before getting the home side level with the last kick of the first half.
FSC went on to dominate, with Bremner going close with three headers from set-pieces before Ahmed struck twice more to complete a fine hat-trick.
Francis Street had earlier come away with a 2-0 win in Lybster.
The home side paid dearly for squandering a clutch of gilt-edged chances in the first period. Alan Henderson and Alan Larnach either missed the target or were denied by visiting keeper Andrew Harper.
Twelve minutes after the turnaround, Darren Shepherd gave FSC the lead when he converted the follow-up after his penalty had been blocked by Lee Sutherland.
Harper then foiled Gareth Miller before the Wickers grabbed a second 10 minutes from time through Craig Henderson.
Wick Groats’ free-scoring form dried up on Wednesday when they had to settle for a goalless draw at Lybster.
Despite the lack of goals, it proved an entertaining contest with both sides having chances to win.
Gregg Shearer went closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half but he was denied by a good stop from keeper Sutherland. Henderson should have scored two minutes into the second half when he rounded the keeper only to knock the ball wide of the open goal.
Sutherland was called into action twice during strong pressure by Groats but could only stand and watch as a stinging shot from Mark Shepherd cracked back off the underside of the bar.
Sutherland pulled off a fine block to deny Derek Shearer, with Henderson passing up a decent chance to win it for the villagers at the death.
Fixtures: Monday (7.00) – County League, Division One: Pentland United v Halkirk; Wick Rovers v John O’Groats.
Tuesday (7.00) – Division One: Wick Thistle v Castletown. Division Two: Ashes v Keiss; Lybster v Top Joe’s.
Wednesday (7.00) – Division One: John O’Groats v Acks. Division Two: Wick Groats v FSC.
Results – MacLeod IFA Highland Amateur Cup, preliminary round replay: Keiss 6, Lairg Rovers 0. County League, Division One: Acks 2, Thurso Pentland 0; Castletown 4, Pentland United 2; Halkirk 1, John O’Groats 0; Swifts 1, Castletown 1; Thurso Pentland 1, Pentland United 9; Wick Thistle 2, Swifts 1. Division Two: FSC 3, Ashes 1; Lybster 0, FSC 2; Lybster 0, Wick Groats 0.
* Thurso Comm FC is having a reunion on May 19 to which all present and former players of are invited. A friendly, non-contact competition at Sir George’s Park will be followed by a social. Proceeds from a raffle and other income will be donated to Caithness United’s trip to the Aberdeen youth tournament in August.