Post by Brian Mackay on Dec 29, 2006 12:10:07 GMT
Steven turns on style for Comm as Castletown slip up
Published: 22 December, 2006
WILLIE Steven struck twice for Comm as they earned a 4-3 victory over Swifts this week in the first division of Caithness Amateur Sevens Football League.
The playing surface was affected by the drop in temperature late in the day but, despite the fairly demanding underfoot conditions, the teams served up a cracking contest.
Swifts opened the scoring when John Holmes displayed fine individual skill and awareness to back-heel the ball through the legs of the Comm keeper from two yards. The equaliser came when Andy Bain burst through the midfield and delivered an inch-perfect pass to Steven, who netted from close range.
When Donnie Falconer momentarily lost his footing on the slippery surface deep in his own half, Colin MacDonald was on hand to side-foot the loose ball into the net to put Swifts back in front at 2-1.
The Comm old boys worked away, though, and Bain fired in a left-foot shot from six yards to take the score to 2-2. With half-time approaching, Peter MacGregor created space in front of goal with some fancy footwork and put Comm 3-2 up.
Both teams continued to play attractive football after the break, with Swifts getting back on level terms with a swerving shot from Derek Campbell after a classy three-pass move. But Steven secured the points for Comm with a shot on the turn from 10 yards.
Castletown suffered another heavy loss, this time going down 5-0 to Shadwell.
James Mill's goal after 20 minutes gave Shadwell a 1-0 lead at half-time and they then moved up a gear to dominate the rest of the match.
Stevie Bain got two quick-fire strikes, one of which took a slight deflection, and there were further goals from Alan Sutherland and Sid Potter as Castletown's title aspirations suffered a major blow.
Basement boys Ashes fought out a 2-2 draw with third-placed Halkirk as the conditions underfoot continued to deteriorate.
Halkirk opened the scoring midway through the first half with a powerful drive from Graham Swanson but Ashes equalised when Mark Hutcheon fired in a dipping shot from all of 35 yards that outfoxed the Halkirk keeper. Hutcheon assured his team-mates that it was no fluke, although the gleam in his eye and the wry smile suggested otherwise.
Swanson restored Halkirk's advantage just before the break but they had to settle for a share of the points when the rejuvenated veteran Willie Miller struck for Ashes.
League leaders Pentland consolidated their position with a 3-0 win over John O'Groats. Two-nil up at half-time, courtesy of Andrew Richardson and Lee Sutherland, Pentland seemed to be coasting – but Groats competed well in the second period and created numerous chances only to be denied by some superb saves from keeper Lee Allan.
Pentland added a third goal when Michael Petrie grabbed his ninth of the season with five minutes remaining. Overall, the leaders deserved to win but the 3-0 scoreline was flattering to say the least.
The match between Young Guns and Strokes was abandoned just before half-time on the grounds of player safety. Spare a thought for Young Guns, who had grabbed the lead just before the enforced stoppage.
The next round of first division matches is scheduled for January 8.
First division fixtures for matchday 16 – Monday, January 8: Swifts v Ashes (6.30); Castletown v Pentland (6.30); Strokes v John O'Groats (7.30); Halkirk v Young Guns (7.30); Lybster v Thurso Comm (8.30). Free week – Shadwell.
Published: 22 December, 2006
WILLIE Steven struck twice for Comm as they earned a 4-3 victory over Swifts this week in the first division of Caithness Amateur Sevens Football League.
The playing surface was affected by the drop in temperature late in the day but, despite the fairly demanding underfoot conditions, the teams served up a cracking contest.
Swifts opened the scoring when John Holmes displayed fine individual skill and awareness to back-heel the ball through the legs of the Comm keeper from two yards. The equaliser came when Andy Bain burst through the midfield and delivered an inch-perfect pass to Steven, who netted from close range.
When Donnie Falconer momentarily lost his footing on the slippery surface deep in his own half, Colin MacDonald was on hand to side-foot the loose ball into the net to put Swifts back in front at 2-1.
The Comm old boys worked away, though, and Bain fired in a left-foot shot from six yards to take the score to 2-2. With half-time approaching, Peter MacGregor created space in front of goal with some fancy footwork and put Comm 3-2 up.
Both teams continued to play attractive football after the break, with Swifts getting back on level terms with a swerving shot from Derek Campbell after a classy three-pass move. But Steven secured the points for Comm with a shot on the turn from 10 yards.
Castletown suffered another heavy loss, this time going down 5-0 to Shadwell.
James Mill's goal after 20 minutes gave Shadwell a 1-0 lead at half-time and they then moved up a gear to dominate the rest of the match.
Stevie Bain got two quick-fire strikes, one of which took a slight deflection, and there were further goals from Alan Sutherland and Sid Potter as Castletown's title aspirations suffered a major blow.
Basement boys Ashes fought out a 2-2 draw with third-placed Halkirk as the conditions underfoot continued to deteriorate.
Halkirk opened the scoring midway through the first half with a powerful drive from Graham Swanson but Ashes equalised when Mark Hutcheon fired in a dipping shot from all of 35 yards that outfoxed the Halkirk keeper. Hutcheon assured his team-mates that it was no fluke, although the gleam in his eye and the wry smile suggested otherwise.
Swanson restored Halkirk's advantage just before the break but they had to settle for a share of the points when the rejuvenated veteran Willie Miller struck for Ashes.
League leaders Pentland consolidated their position with a 3-0 win over John O'Groats. Two-nil up at half-time, courtesy of Andrew Richardson and Lee Sutherland, Pentland seemed to be coasting – but Groats competed well in the second period and created numerous chances only to be denied by some superb saves from keeper Lee Allan.
Pentland added a third goal when Michael Petrie grabbed his ninth of the season with five minutes remaining. Overall, the leaders deserved to win but the 3-0 scoreline was flattering to say the least.
The match between Young Guns and Strokes was abandoned just before half-time on the grounds of player safety. Spare a thought for Young Guns, who had grabbed the lead just before the enforced stoppage.
The next round of first division matches is scheduled for January 8.
First division fixtures for matchday 16 – Monday, January 8: Swifts v Ashes (6.30); Castletown v Pentland (6.30); Strokes v John O'Groats (7.30); Halkirk v Young Guns (7.30); Lybster v Thurso Comm (8.30). Free week – Shadwell.