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 ⚽️
HIGHLAND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: KEITH U18S 2 VS 1 NWS HYL U18S
by Paul Rees - 07:29 on 20 November 2023
Our furthest away trip of the Highland Youth League season proved to be our most developed team performance to date. Picking up where we'd left off last week against Balloan Thistle, we were more compact and solid, more settled in all areas.
Keith are a good footballing side and the contest that unfolded was one of few chances, neither side able to get in behind the other's defence in the opening 40 minutes. When a goal did come, Keith broke the deadlock with a well-placed volley from outside the box, the ball having broken loose from a corner. Five minutes after the restart our opponents doubled their lead, a powerful header from another corner.
Earlier in the season, we might have capitulated at this point. On this occasion, the lads doubled down. We were rewarded with a goal of our own on 75 minutes. Another one resulting from a set piece, Archie Millar thumping in Ross Macleod's arcing cross from a free-kick.
We pressed for an equaliser, but credit to Keith for how well they managed the game out, restricting us to a couple of half chances but nothing more.
Nevertheless, the lads can take great heart and encouragement from their own collective performance. We're working towards becoming more competitive and difficult to play against at this level. We were that - and more - yesterday.
Big thank yous to Tracey Rokahr and Jess Rokahr and Martin Allen, our hardy band of away supporters; to our club sponsors Muirhall Energy; and to Simon Wallwork and Henrik Micski for riding shotgun and for their help with the team on the day.
Next up a home game on the Astro against Inverness Athletic, a 1pm KO this Sunday coming, 26th November.
NWS squad yesterday: Lachlan Micski; Fraser Allan; Tom Rokahr; Seonaidh-alex Macleod; Charlie Latton; Jamie Ross; Archie Millar; Ruari Preston; Shihab Iqbal; Ross Macleod; Sam Fenlon; Aaron Mackenzie; Donnie Morrison
NWS goal:
Archie Millar ⚽️
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