Caithness Amateur Sevens Football League - Week 8
Submitted by Ian Nicol
7th November 2001
Week 8 of the RMC sponsored league and the headlines are Groats put the wind up Workshops as they hit seven in gale force conditions Pentland go top as Ashes are held by Castletown.
First up this evening were Top Joes and Crazy Gang. Joes with the wind advantage took the game to The Gang and David Keith fired them into the lead early on. Keith added a second soon after as the Gang struggled to come to terms with the wind. Andrew Taylor was unlucky on a few occasions as The Gang tried to get back into the game. He made no mistake just before half time powering home a 15 yard drive. In the second half Joes kept The Gang out with some fine goalkeeping and resolute defending and with just 10 minutes left you had the feeling they might just nick the points when the roof caved in. Stuart McKechnie fired home an equaliser and shortly after Lee Elder put Crazy Gang into the lead. All the action was at the Joes goalmouth and Taylor scored a fourth to make the game safe. McKechnie then added a fifth before David Keith added a touch of respectability with his and Top Joes third.
Acks and Thistle served up a cracker in the second match and Thistle can count themselves unlucky to leave with nothing. This game ebbed and flowed with both teams using the swirling wind to their advantage. Alan Tait for Thistle was unlucky as he broke free and rounded the keeper only for the wind to take the ball off his foot as he dragged the ball wide. Terry Cannop also brought out the best from goalkeeper Moar as he failed to put the finishing touch on a sweeping move. Acks created a few half chances but goalkeeper MacCalpine was equal to the task. Acks got the winner in the last minute when Steve Reid netted from close in to give them the three points.
John O'Groats hit workshops for "seven at seven" in the other seven o'clock kick off this evening! They opened the scoring through a wonder strike by Stuart Sinclair as he waltzed through the defence to fire home the opener. Groats hit another two before halftime through Sean Henstridge and Greg Muir to leave Workshops reeling. In the second half Groats piled on the pressure and 2 goals in 10 second killed the match. First Stuart Sinclair scored his second and as Workshops were in disarray Willy Ross made it five. Jamie MacKay pulled one back for workshops and when Steve MacKay made it two there where thoughts of a fight back. Sean Henstridge put paid to that by hitting another two to complete his hat trick.
Ashes and Castletown had the first goalless match of this seasons fixtures but with two booking and numerous chances it was anything but dull. Ashes had the best of the early chance with Chris Dunnett testing the goalkeeper, a task he was equal to. Manson in goals for Ashes also had to look smart as Castletown's busy midfield made inroads on his goal. In the end it was honours even with both sides getting a yellow card, Derek Manson for Ashes and Stuart McKenzie for Castletown.
Pentland and Co-op also had a goalless first half as conditions deteriorated at Naver. Chances were few and far between as both sides struggled with the wind. Anson Robertson opened the scoring for Pentland early in the second half. Steve Grey then hit the equaliser as Co-op searched for their first points this season. John McLean then put Pentland back into the lead and when he made it three shortly after it was all over. Pentland then played the passing football that they do so well and it was no surprise when Ally Fraser made it four. Co-op fought on 'till the end and were unlucky not to get a second goal their play warranted. This result sees Pentland go top of the league over John O'Groats and Ashes.
This weeks results
Crazy Gang 5 Top Joes 3
Acks 1 Thistle 0
John O'Groats 7 Workshops 2
Ashes 0 Castletown 0
Co-op 1 Pentland 4
Next weeks fixtures
6 o'clock kick off
Co-op v Ashes
7 o'clock kick off
Top Joes v Acks
Pentland v Workshops
8 o'clock kick off
JOG v Thistle
Crazy Gang v Castletown
Top Scorers
Chris Dunnett (Ashes) 11
Dougie MacKay (Workshops) 10
Sean Henstridge (JOG) 8
Des McLeod (Acks) 8
David Keith (Top Joes) 8 (including 1 with Ashes)
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