Post by Brian Mackay on Feb 11, 2007 10:43:50 GMT
Begg hat-trick as Comm win 11-goal thriller
Published: 09 February, 2007
PENTLAND were taught a lesson by the veterans of Thurso Comm this week, losing 6-5 in an entertaining encounter in the first division of Caithness Amateur Sevens Football League.
Pentland were caught flat-footed in the opening minutes and Comm quickly established a two-goal advantage – first Andy Bain rounded two defenders and rifled the ball low into the net, then Jocky Begg gave the keeper no chance with a shot on the turn.
Pentland pulled one back with virtually their first glimpse of goal. Andrew Richardson crept in on the blind side to pick up a perfect pass from Darren Mackay and he made no mistake with the finish. However, Pentland were caught out by a swift counter-attack and Comm defender Kevin Warner restored his side's two-goal advantage.
Having regrouped at the interval, Pentland grabbed two goals in as many minutes courtesy of Lee Sutherland. Ewan Scott then put them ahead for the first time, sending the keeper the wrong way from just inside the box, and moments later their title dream was back on track when Michael Petrie made it 5-3.
Thurso Comm kept going forward at every opportunity and Begg, who has been scoring for fun lately, netted twice in quick succession to complete his hat-trick. In the final minute, elder statesman Donnie Falconer rose above the Pentland defence to score with a powerful header and secure all three points for the Comm.
Ashes could not build on their impressive win last week, slumping to a 6-2 defeat at the hands of Castletown.
Ashes started well and Graham Lowe diverted a powerful shot from Paul Mackay beyond his keeper into the net. Steven Morris restored the balance with a powerful shot, then Derek Shearer fired home a second for Castletown.
Morris increased their lead with what looked like a carbon copy of his first, taking the score to 3-1 at half-time. His hat-trick goal was another pile-driver from the edge of the box, and soon after that Mark Morrison made it 5-1.
Mackay reduced the deficit with a classy drive but Morris rounded off the scoring with his fourth of the night.
Strokes will be kicking themselves after their display against Shadwell, as a victory coupled with Pentland's defeat would have put them firmly back in the title race.
Sheer hard work and good football ensured that Shadwell secured all three points with a 2-1 win.
After a goalless first half, Andy Taylor took advantage of some woeful defending to put Shadwell ahead. Steven Polson got their second before Des Mackay pulled one back in the closing stages.
Halkirk kept their hopes alive by beating a somewhat weakened Lybster side 3-0. Gavin Swanson, Alex Banks and Kevin Sutherland got the goals.
Young Guns and Groats are both in the relegation zone but it was the Guns who eased their worries somewhat with a 7-2 victory.
Gavin Fairweather was back after injury and he made a big difference to the Young Guns' defence. They took the lead when John McGill cut inside a defender to blast the ball home, and he got his second moments later in similar fashion. Terry Cannop made it 3-0 before Calum Campbell pulled one back for John O'Groats with a terrific strike from distance.
After the break Chris Gunn made it 4-1 after being set up by Tony Miller, and Gunn got another to make it 5-1 before Campbell struck again for the villagers.
The Young Guns introduced 12-year-old Paul Cannop, brother of striker Terry, and he made an immediate impact – he held the ball up and, as two defenders closed in, slipped it between them into the path of Chris Gunn, who blasted it into the net from close range.
In the last minute Gunn took his tally to four on the night with a glancing header from a Shane McGinley cross.
Naver won 1-0 against JGC in a rearranged second division fixture, Keith Foubister getting the goal.
First division fixtures for Monday, February 12: Strokes v Pentland (6.30); Halkirk v Shadwell (6.30); Swifts v Lybster (7.30); Young Guns vs. Castletown (7.30); John O'Groats v Thurso Comm (8.30). Free week – Ashes.
Rearranged fixture for Thursday, February 15: Halkirk v John O'Groats.
Published: 09 February, 2007
PENTLAND were taught a lesson by the veterans of Thurso Comm this week, losing 6-5 in an entertaining encounter in the first division of Caithness Amateur Sevens Football League.
Pentland were caught flat-footed in the opening minutes and Comm quickly established a two-goal advantage – first Andy Bain rounded two defenders and rifled the ball low into the net, then Jocky Begg gave the keeper no chance with a shot on the turn.
Pentland pulled one back with virtually their first glimpse of goal. Andrew Richardson crept in on the blind side to pick up a perfect pass from Darren Mackay and he made no mistake with the finish. However, Pentland were caught out by a swift counter-attack and Comm defender Kevin Warner restored his side's two-goal advantage.
Having regrouped at the interval, Pentland grabbed two goals in as many minutes courtesy of Lee Sutherland. Ewan Scott then put them ahead for the first time, sending the keeper the wrong way from just inside the box, and moments later their title dream was back on track when Michael Petrie made it 5-3.
Thurso Comm kept going forward at every opportunity and Begg, who has been scoring for fun lately, netted twice in quick succession to complete his hat-trick. In the final minute, elder statesman Donnie Falconer rose above the Pentland defence to score with a powerful header and secure all three points for the Comm.
Ashes could not build on their impressive win last week, slumping to a 6-2 defeat at the hands of Castletown.
Ashes started well and Graham Lowe diverted a powerful shot from Paul Mackay beyond his keeper into the net. Steven Morris restored the balance with a powerful shot, then Derek Shearer fired home a second for Castletown.
Morris increased their lead with what looked like a carbon copy of his first, taking the score to 3-1 at half-time. His hat-trick goal was another pile-driver from the edge of the box, and soon after that Mark Morrison made it 5-1.
Mackay reduced the deficit with a classy drive but Morris rounded off the scoring with his fourth of the night.
Strokes will be kicking themselves after their display against Shadwell, as a victory coupled with Pentland's defeat would have put them firmly back in the title race.
Sheer hard work and good football ensured that Shadwell secured all three points with a 2-1 win.
After a goalless first half, Andy Taylor took advantage of some woeful defending to put Shadwell ahead. Steven Polson got their second before Des Mackay pulled one back in the closing stages.
Halkirk kept their hopes alive by beating a somewhat weakened Lybster side 3-0. Gavin Swanson, Alex Banks and Kevin Sutherland got the goals.
Young Guns and Groats are both in the relegation zone but it was the Guns who eased their worries somewhat with a 7-2 victory.
Gavin Fairweather was back after injury and he made a big difference to the Young Guns' defence. They took the lead when John McGill cut inside a defender to blast the ball home, and he got his second moments later in similar fashion. Terry Cannop made it 3-0 before Calum Campbell pulled one back for John O'Groats with a terrific strike from distance.
After the break Chris Gunn made it 4-1 after being set up by Tony Miller, and Gunn got another to make it 5-1 before Campbell struck again for the villagers.
The Young Guns introduced 12-year-old Paul Cannop, brother of striker Terry, and he made an immediate impact – he held the ball up and, as two defenders closed in, slipped it between them into the path of Chris Gunn, who blasted it into the net from close range.
In the last minute Gunn took his tally to four on the night with a glancing header from a Shane McGinley cross.
Naver won 1-0 against JGC in a rearranged second division fixture, Keith Foubister getting the goal.
First division fixtures for Monday, February 12: Strokes v Pentland (6.30); Halkirk v Shadwell (6.30); Swifts v Lybster (7.30); Young Guns vs. Castletown (7.30); John O'Groats v Thurso Comm (8.30). Free week – Ashes.
Rearranged fixture for Thursday, February 15: Halkirk v John O'Groats.