Caithness Amateur Sevens Football League - Week 9

Submitted by Ian Nicol

14th November 2001

Week 9 of the RMC sponsored sevens and as the League hits the half way mark the headlines are:

It's tight at the top as Pentlands lose out to Workshops

First of all a big thank you to six volunteers from Ashes FC who picked up new nets from the council and put them up before tonight's matches, ably assisted by 10 year old Lauren Nicol

First up this evening were Co-op and Ashes.
In a tight first half both defences were giving away little. Ashes had the majority of chances but were kept out by some fine goalkeeping by Ronnie Campbell (snr) . Co-op's Steve Grey in the other end contrived to miss an empty net from ten yards out after rounding the keeper. In the second half Co-op took the lead when Kenneth MacCalpine's cross come shot deceived everyone and ended up in the net. Daniel MacKay equalised from close in after a fiercely struck corner bounced about in the box. Chris Dunnett gave Ashes the lead and when he made it three it looked all over. Co-op tried manfully to the end but Mike MacLeod wrapped things up for Ashes with a crisply hit fourth.

Top of the tree Pentland were next up against Workshops and went ahead early doors when Darren MacKay scored. Both sides had first half chances in an evenly contested match. Workshops levelled things early in the second half through Jamie MacKay. The next goal was going to be all important and it fell to Workshops and Niall Murray. Pentland tried manfully to draw level and were indeed unfortunate when MacKay hit the post and Anson Roberson sliding in just missed the rebound.

Top Joes and Acks fought out a thrilling ding dong first half. Fist up Acks took the lead through Graeme Moar. Kevin Burne then equalised for Joes. Acks pulled ahead again through Des MacLeod only for Burne to draw level for Joes to keep honours even at half time. In the second half Acks hit Joes for five to leave them reeling. Goals by Des MacLeod, 2 by Malcolm Morrison and another 2 by Graeme Moar to complete his hat trick see last seasons champions move ominously to three points of the lead. David Keith had the last laugh for Joes though with a cracking shot which went in of the crossbar.

Groats knew a comfortable win would see them go top on goal difference but a young Thistle side made things difficult for them. Thistle indeed drew first blood when Michael McPhee pounced early doors. Groats goal machine Sean Henstridge then got into his stride and hit a sweet first half hat trick. In the second half Jamie McGill pulled one back for Thistle after good leading up work by Peter MacGreggor. Thistle's joy was short lived though as Henstridge struck again. There were chances for both sides but the game finished with a result that sees Groats go top on goal difference. There was one booking in this match, Thistle's Terry Cannop for deliberate hand ball.

Crazy Gang started the last match against Castletown with only six players. A hastily arranged trialist brought them up to seven but with no subs it was always going to be difficult against a young Castletown side full of running and no little skill. A Stuart Mackenzie classic first half hat trick finished the game as a contest. In the second half Crazy Gang tired dramatically and Mackenzie with his fourth and Sean Moodie made it five to put the icing on the cake just before full time.

The league is now half way through the season and with five teams within three points it is all to play for.

There will be a league meeting of all clubs to be held in the St Clair Hotel in Thurso on Friday 23rd November at 19.30 and not Thursday 29th as was previously mentioned to teams. All teams should send a representative.

This weeks scores

Ashes 4 Co-op 1
Top Joes 3 Acks 7
Pentland 1 Workshops 2
JOG 4 Thistle 2
Crazy Gang 0 Castletown 5

Top Scorers

Chriss Dunnett (Ashes) 13
Sean Henstridge (JOG) 12
Stuart Mckenzie (Castletown) 11
Dougie Mackay (Workshops) 10
Des Macleod (Acks) 10

Next weeks fixtures

6 o'clock kick off
Thistle v Co-op

7 o'clock kick off
Ashes v Top Joes
Acks v Pentland

8 o'clock kick off
Workshops v Crazy Gang
Castletown v John O'Groats