Post by Brian Mackay on May 20, 2005 20:46:29 GMT
Caithness lads shine as Ross County book place in final - from Caithness Courier website - www.caithness-courier.co.uk
ROSS County's Caithness contingent have played their part in securing a place in the final of the SFL Under-17 League Cup for the Dingwall club.
A hard-earned draw against their Elgin counterparts on Sunday was enough to give the County lads a cup final date with Airdrie United.
Scott Begg and Scott Mackay Steven, both from Thurso, were in the starting line-up for the team which is coached by Peter Budge from Wick. Begg was playing as sweeper, with Mackay Steven on the right of midfield, and the latter was replaced by Thurso's David Allan in the second half.
A fourth Caithness youngster, Stevie Cunningham from Lybster, also plays for County's U17s but he was not involved in Sunday's crunch match at Jubilee Park.
The tournament was split into two sections, with County and Elgin each having a 100 per cent record ahead of their weekend showdown.
County had beaten Stirling Albion (5-1 away), Alloa Athletic (2-1 at home), Stenhousemuir (4-0 away), Raith Rovers (3-2 at home), Arbroath (6-3 away), Falkirk (1-0 at home) and Cowdenbeath (6-3 away), and their significantly better goal difference meant a draw against Elgin would be sufficient for them to qualify for the final.
The visitors got an early goal but were reduced to 10 men just before half-time when their striker was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The tough-tackling Moray boys protected their lead until 10 minutes from the end when Alan Grant netted a well-taken goal to make it 1-1.
There was still time Elgin to be reduced to nine when one of their players was shown a straight red for a two-footed lunge.
Some of the Elgin supporters ran onto the pitch to challenge the referee at this point, and on full-time some players and spectators had to be dragged away as they confronted the match official amid angry scenes.
Peter Budge and his boys deserve credit for keeping their cool and continuing to play football right to the end, and they fully deserved to advance to the final.
A date and venue for the final has still to be confirmed.
.There was also a strong Caithness influence in Ross County's match against Falkirk at U13 level in the SFL youth development league.
Mark Begg, Matthew Clyne, both Thurso, Ally Gunn from Castletown and Derek Rosie of Staxigoe all featured in the starting line-up.
The Falkirk side are one of the best in the league and their size and physical presence was the main difference between the teams.
The first of the three 30-minute periods finished goalless. The second period saw County come more into the game with the wind behind them but they were unable to make the breakthrough, and a defensive mix-up let Falkirk in to open the scoring.
In the third period Falkirk's superior strength came to the fore and they went on to record a 3-1 victory. County's goal came direct from a corner.
The Caithness boys showed up well and looked very much at home playing at this level.
.County's U5s played earlier in the day, losing out to Stirling Albion. The Dingwall side featured Gary Mackay Steven, from Thurso, who has just been selected for Scotland at U15 level.
18/05/2005
ROSS County's Caithness contingent have played their part in securing a place in the final of the SFL Under-17 League Cup for the Dingwall club.
A hard-earned draw against their Elgin counterparts on Sunday was enough to give the County lads a cup final date with Airdrie United.
Scott Begg and Scott Mackay Steven, both from Thurso, were in the starting line-up for the team which is coached by Peter Budge from Wick. Begg was playing as sweeper, with Mackay Steven on the right of midfield, and the latter was replaced by Thurso's David Allan in the second half.
A fourth Caithness youngster, Stevie Cunningham from Lybster, also plays for County's U17s but he was not involved in Sunday's crunch match at Jubilee Park.
The tournament was split into two sections, with County and Elgin each having a 100 per cent record ahead of their weekend showdown.
County had beaten Stirling Albion (5-1 away), Alloa Athletic (2-1 at home), Stenhousemuir (4-0 away), Raith Rovers (3-2 at home), Arbroath (6-3 away), Falkirk (1-0 at home) and Cowdenbeath (6-3 away), and their significantly better goal difference meant a draw against Elgin would be sufficient for them to qualify for the final.
The visitors got an early goal but were reduced to 10 men just before half-time when their striker was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The tough-tackling Moray boys protected their lead until 10 minutes from the end when Alan Grant netted a well-taken goal to make it 1-1.
There was still time Elgin to be reduced to nine when one of their players was shown a straight red for a two-footed lunge.
Some of the Elgin supporters ran onto the pitch to challenge the referee at this point, and on full-time some players and spectators had to be dragged away as they confronted the match official amid angry scenes.
Peter Budge and his boys deserve credit for keeping their cool and continuing to play football right to the end, and they fully deserved to advance to the final.
A date and venue for the final has still to be confirmed.
.There was also a strong Caithness influence in Ross County's match against Falkirk at U13 level in the SFL youth development league.
Mark Begg, Matthew Clyne, both Thurso, Ally Gunn from Castletown and Derek Rosie of Staxigoe all featured in the starting line-up.
The Falkirk side are one of the best in the league and their size and physical presence was the main difference between the teams.
The first of the three 30-minute periods finished goalless. The second period saw County come more into the game with the wind behind them but they were unable to make the breakthrough, and a defensive mix-up let Falkirk in to open the scoring.
In the third period Falkirk's superior strength came to the fore and they went on to record a 3-1 victory. County's goal came direct from a corner.
The Caithness boys showed up well and looked very much at home playing at this level.
.County's U5s played earlier in the day, losing out to Stirling Albion. The Dingwall side featured Gary Mackay Steven, from Thurso, who has just been selected for Scotland at U15 level.
18/05/2005