Caithness United U13s complete season with victory at Rothes
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Caithness United under-13s rounded off their Moray Firth Youth League campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory at an unseasonably warm and sunny Rothes on Saturday.
The bumpy surface didn’t suit the passing football style of the Caithness boys, but the defence – led by the impressive Lewis Swan – limited the home side to shots from range.
A change of formation in the second period appeared to provide Caithness with more space in midfield and additional options in the final third. Lucas Reid became more influential, giving the Rothes defence a torrid time driving forward with the ball at his feet, and his height was also proving difficult for the Speysiders to cope with.
Owen Bain, Euan Kennedy and Matthew Robertson all had attempts on goal but the Rothes defence was standing firm and their keeper Archie Bain pulled off a string of excellent stops.
Finally the breakthrough came for Caithness when Lucas Reid slotted home from close range. Rothes hit back with a 20-yard dipping shot that was tipped over the bar by the retreating Tom Armitage in goal for Caithness.
Within the first few minutes of the final period Matthew Mackay and Lucas Reid both came close to extending the lead. However, the two-goal cushion was not forthcoming until 10 minutes from the end when Rory Taylor blasted a volley high into the net.
The match continued to be played mainly in the Rothes half, aided by some excellent break-up play in the middle of the park by the dependable Sam Shearer.
United added a third when Kieran Macgregor pounced on a rebound from an Owen Bain strike and calmly side-footed it into the corner of the net.
The final whistle closed out out a superb season for the Caithness youngsters.
Coach Alan Kennedy was very satisfied with the team’s performance saying: “It took us a while to adapt to the tricky surface, but credit to the lads for putting in a super shift in those hot conditions. Their attitude was excellent.
“They persevered with the passing style, and it eventually paid off by turning over a very dogged Rothes side.
“Lucas was on a different level. He was immense, as he has been for us since the turn of the year, and was well worthy of being awarded the man of the match.”
