Caithness Amateur Sevens Football League - Week 11

Submitted by Ian Nicol

28th November 2001

Week 11 of the RMC sponsored league and the headlines are: Workshops hit five to keep the pressure on at the This week saw the introduction of a new law to the sevens game when all slide tackles were banned. Sinners would be yellow carded.
First up this evening were Crazy Gang and Co-op. In near winter conditions both teams opted for a safety first approach and chances were few and far between as the first half ended goalless. The only chance of note was when Steven Grey of Co-op had a net bound shot cleared of the line. The first goal was to prove decisive and it was Charlie Elder who got it for The Gang. When Andrew Taylor made it 2 it looked all over but Co-op as usual never gave up and Steven Grey pulled one back. Rick Cammish then restored The Gang's 2 goal lead and Taylor made it 4-1 to finish the scoring.

The next set of matches were in serious doubt as a near blizzard descended on Naver. Only after consultation between the referees, league and club officials and an easing up of the weather were the games allowed to be played.

It's a testament to the skill of the players of Workshops and Thistle who served up a 9 goal thriller in the second match in awful conditions. Workshops opened the scoring after only 15 seconds through Dougie MacKay. Thistle soon equalised with Eddie McGrory netting and went ahead after Michael McPhee finished of a neat move. Workshops drew level before half time when Neil Ferns scored. In the second half it was nip and tuck as the goals rained in. Paul Marshal for Workshops and Jamie McGill for Thistle made it 3-3 Dougie MacKay then put Workshops ahead and when Neil Ferns made it 5 it looked all over. Again Thistle pulled a goal back through Eddie McGrory but it was to late for a brave young Thistle side.

Acks with the strong wind advantage took the game to Castletown and indeed opened the scoring through Colin MacDonald. Acks piled on the pressure and James Mackay put them further ahead just before half time. In the second half it was Castletown's turn to enjoy the wind. Acks however defended well and restricted the village team to 1 goal when Stuart Mackenzie scored. Castletown had a chance to draw level but the game finished with Acks claming the points.

Top Joes with the wind in their faces shocked title chasing Groats when David Keith opened the scoring after only 5 minutes. This rocked Groats and it took them a while to find their form. They equalised when Jim Souter hit a spectacular goal. In the second half both sides played it tight and a draw looked on the cards when Willie Ross stepped up for Groats and smacked home the winner.

The last match was a top of the table clash between Pentland and Ashes. Ashes opened the scoring midway through the first half after clever work by Chris Dunnett down the right gave Mike Macleod an opening which he gleefully accepted. Pentland took the game to Ashes in the second half to get an equaliser but found Spargo and Lannon in the Ashes defence in top form. In pressing forward they left gaps at the back and Chris Dunnett was there to fire home Ashes second after clever leading up work. Ashes Aly MacKay was to be the first player to fall foul of the new law when he was booked late on.

Teams are reminded that no player will be allowed to play without wearing shin pads. This law will be strictly enforced.

Results
Crazy Gang 4 Co-op 1
Acks 2 Castletown 1
Workshops 5 Thistle 4
JOG 2 Top Joes 1
Ashes 2 Pentland 0

Top Scorers
Chris Dunnett (Ashes) 16
Dougie MacKay (Workshops) 15
Stuart MacKenzie (Castletown) 15
Sean Henstridge (JOG) 12

Next weeks fixtures

6 o'clock kick off
Workshops v Top Joes

7 o'clock kick off
Acks v Co-op
Castletown v Pentland

8 o'clock kick off
Ashes v John O'Groats
Thistle v Crazy Gang