HIGHLAND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: NWS HYL U18S 0 VS 6 CLACHNACUDDIN
In short, an actual game of two halves today on the Portree Astro. First half, there was almost nothing to choose between the two sides. North-West were disciplined, solid, and kept our shape much better as a team. One lapse on the stroke of half-time cost us, Clach breaking and scoring when we'd had a free kick deep in their half.
Second half, fitness and physicality told. An older squad, Clach upped their tempo at the same time as we started to tire and get ragged. The more we got stretched and mentally fatigued, the more spaces opened up to our opponents. The game went away from us in the space of 15 minutes and four goals.
Thank you today to Simon Wallwork and John Masson for coaching support, to our ref Heckie Cormack, to everyone who came out to support the lads, to Karen Allan, Scott Milne and everyone at the Fingal Centre, and to our match sponsors, Skyeskyns, and our club sponsors, Muirhall Energy.
To our squad, heads up. Just our fourth game at this level still, this was 90 minutes against a strong, experienced HYL squad and for 50 minutes we were bang in the contest. Bridging the gap will come from training together, and playing more together against such opposition.
NWS squad today: Lachlan Micski; Aaron Mackenzie; Tom Rokahr; Magnus Kroonstuiver; Sam MacLelland; Charlie Latton; Jamie Ross; Fraser Allan; Eoghann Campbell; Ross Macleod; Ruari Preston; Sam Fenlon; Fred Wallwork; Charlie Rees; Cailean Dunkel; Neil Lawson
S&LJFA U15S LEAGUE: LOCHALSH U15S 2 VS 4 NWS U15S
Bouncing back from the blip against Broadford last time out, the U15s came out on top in an always tough away fixture against Lochalsh.
As a group, they did the unglamorous stuff without the ball very well throughout. Kept a tight, narrow shape and stayed disciplined. With it, they stretched the big Kyleakin pitch to its fullest, were quick with their passing, tireless in their running.
In the first half, chances came and went, but patience was rewarded with two goals late on. The first from a clinically delivered set-piece. The second with a slick passing move sending Jake Bold free for a smart finish.
Second half, Lochalsh struck first with a well-placed shot from the edge of our box, but North-West re-established a two-goal margin from another on-the-money corner. Back Lochalsh came once more, the one occasion we switched off, sloppy marking at a free-kick. We kept the ball moving well for the remaining nine minutes, young Peter Martin and Eoghainn Graham outstanding all night down our right flank. Time, too, for a fourth goal: a 25-yard rocket from Charlie Rees to seal the points.
NWS squad last night: Toby Wallwork; Hector Macgregor; Peter Martin; Fergus Mackenzie; Somhairle Matheson; Evan Masson; Cailean Dunkel; Gordon Mackenzie; Charlie Rees; Eoghainn Graham; Robaidh Anslow; Finlay Crawford; Somhairle Burrows; Ryan Dunkel; Jake Bold
NWS goalscorers:
Gordon Mackenzie ⚽️
Jake Bold ⚽️
Own goal ⚽️
Charlie Rees ⚽️
HIGHLAND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: NWS HYL U18S 1 VS 3 KEITH U18S
Our first home game in the Highland Youth Development League may have ended in defeat, but even with a number of players missing from the squad, this was a much improved team performance from last week and gives us plenty to build on going forwards.
We started the game brightly, had the better of the opening 20 minutes. The difference at this level, though, are the fine margins. During that purple patch, we created, but couldn't take a couple of presentable chances. One lapse of concentration and we found ourselves a goal down to a clinical Keith finish.
The second-half began as an almost mirror image of the first: North-West on top for 15 minutes, before we got caught by a Keith counter attack, a penalty resulting. 0-2 and tougher still, the fact an additional red card reduced us to ten men.
We can, however, take the greatest heart from the final third of the contest. A man down, we played with spirit, determination and togetherness. Keith added a third from another break away, but we twice went close to pulling a goal back ourselves, and before Shihab Iqbal grabbed us a well-merited consolation with a fantastic finish from distance.
Big thanks today to: our match sponsor, Angus MacIntosh Joinery, and our club sponsor Muirhall Energy. To the coaches and players from Keith FC. To our match referee, Angus Campbell. To everyone who came out to support the boys. And to Simon Wallwork and Jason Bold for their usual invaluable coaching support.
NWS squad today: Daniel Warby; Aaron Mackenzie; Eoghann Campbell; Magnus Kroonstuiver; Sam MacLelland; Fraser Allan; Tom Rokahr; Ross Macleod; Shihab Iqbal; Ruari Preston; Sam Fenlon; Louis Canning; Neil Lawson; Charlie Rees; Jake Bold
NWS goal:
Shihab Iqbal ⚽️
NWS HYL U18S 3 VS 2 INVERNESS ATHLETIC
by Paul Rees - 17:18 on 26 November 2023
Our first points on the Highland Youth Development League board today were well deserved. For this afternoon's performance, but also for the overall commitment and togetherness the lads have shown all along so far this season.
The collective will to win this afternoon was outstanding. That, and how well the lads have taken on board and are putting into practise what we're trying to do: in the first instance, to be more solid, to make ourselves harder to beat.
Without the ball today, from goalkeeper to centre forward, we kept our shape, competed for every ball, and covered for each other all over the pitch.
With the ball, we posed a threat all through. We led 1-0 at half-time via a Ross Macleod penalty; 3-0 after 60 minutes and with the addition of two excellent strikes from Ruari Preston, our man of the match.
The last quarter was a tough watch. Credit to Inverness Athletic for keeping going and forcing the issue, but to us, too, for getting over the line.
Lots of thank yous: to Karen Allan, Scott Milne and all the Fingal and Mears staff for hosting us; to Heckie Cormack for reffing; to everyone who came out and supported the lads; to Fiona Macdonald, our documenter supreme; to our match sponsor, The Old Inn, Carbost, and our club sponsor, Muirhall Energy; to Katie Murray, John Masson and Evan Masson for tidying up after us; and to Jason Bold for going above and beyond the call to get our walking wounded Alasdair Stewart to hospital - and all our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Ali, our piper-in-chief.
Up next, Alness Utd, back on the Astro next Sunday, 3rd December and for a 1pm kick-off.
NWS squad today: Lachlan Micski; Fraser Allan; Tom Rokahr; Charlie Latton; Seonaidh-alex Macleod; Archie Millar; Alasdair Stewart; Ross Macleod; Donnie Morrison; Ruari Preston; Shihab Iqbal; Eoghann Campbell; Aaron Mackenzie; Charlie Rees; Sam Fenlon; Sam MacLelland
NWS goals:
Ross Macleod ⚽️
Ruari Preston ⚽️⚽️
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