Wednesday, November 6, 2019 www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk Caithness Courier 23 Awards mark end of Halkirk youth team’s county season at U13 level Halkirk FC’s youth team ended their 2019 county season at under-13 level with a presentation of awards to all players. During the three years they have played at this age group, they have achieved two second-placed finishes in the county league and reached the play-off final for first place once. The players have all now moved up to the U15 age group for the 2020 season. The coaches, Stuart Munro and Lewis Gallacher, selected the following players for individual awards for the 2019 season: Joint player of the year – Euan Kennedy and Ethan Kevill. Joint young player of the year – Josh Coghill and Kyle Bain. Joint most improved – Rory Taylor and Kyran Alexander. Joint endeavour award – Aaron Halkirk’s under-13 squad. Back row: Lewis Gallacher (coach), Ethan Kevill, Aaron Mackay, Euan Mackay and Luke Wilson. Kennedy, Luke Wilson, Kyran Alexander, Jamie Sutherland, Charlie Sutherland, Mackenzie Beaton, n Left: The player of the year Stuart Munro (coach). Front: Rory Taylor, Brodie Beaton, Kian Mackay, Josh Coghill, Kyle Bain, John award went jointly to Ethan Kevill Macintosh. (left) and Euan Kennedy. Mental Wick aim to build health initiative for pupils on Inverurie result PUPILS in the north are set to benefit from a new mental health Football spot in the Highland League by their 4-1 victory over initiative being run as By Matt Leslie table, above Keith on goal Clachnacuddin on Saturday part of the active schools difference. in a Highland League Cup programme. WICK Academy will However, the Strathy Jags preliminary round tie. A total of 210 schools be looking to build on are a tougher proposition Wick boss Tom McKenna in the Highlands will have Saturday’s 1-0 victory at than they used to be. They said: “Strathspey will have access to active school Inverurie when they take on sit in 12th place after three their tails up following their co-ordinators that will Strathspey Thistle tonight at wins and a draw from their good win against Clach. be trained to manage Harmsworth Park. opening 12 league fixtures. “However, we are com- mental health, as well A victory for the Scorries And the Grantown side ing off a very good win at as physical health, as would lift them into ninth will have been buoyed Inverurie. Hopefully we can part of a new partnership show some consistency and between SAMH put on a similar display to (Scottish Association get a result to push us higher for Mental Health) and up the table.” sportscotland. Strathspey’s impressive Launched by result against Clach allowed SAMH’s long-standing them to advance into the ambassador, multiple first round proper of the Olympic gold winner cup. Liam Taylor, James Sir Chris Hoy, the new McShane, Craig Macmillan initiative will offer and James Fraser were mental health training on target for Thistle, with to 400 active schools Clach’s Michael Finnis net- co-ordinators across ting a consolation. Scotland. The foul weather deci- The partnership with mated much of the league sportscotland aims to programme with the match- help the next generation es at Brora, Fort William, of young people protect Locos’ Jamie Michie hacks down Sam Mackay from behind. Fraserburgh and Turriff all their mental health falling by the wayside. through physical activity One that did go ahead and sport. was at Forres where the The 400-strong group Can-Cans welcomed Lossie- of active schools mouth to Mosset Park – and co-ordinators will benefit those who attended got their from a mental health money’s worth in a nine- training programme that goal thriller. teaches practical ways of Mechanics edged out monitoring and managing their visitors 5-4 with Stuart mental health through Soane leading the way with Inverurie’s Mark Souter protests his innocence as referee Liam Duncan shows him the red card. Pictures: Mel Roger their work in schools his hat trick. James Ross across the country. and Lee Fraser were also on were pivotal as Forres pulled Highland League fixtures Highland-based active target as Forres came back off a remarkable recovery. for tonight: Clachnacuddin schools manager Mags from being 4-1 down in the Events at Princess Royal v Brora Rangers; Formartine Duncan said: “With this first half. Park were not quite as ex- United v Inverurie Locos; training provided by Lossie had found the net citing but that was of no Huntly v Turriff United; SAMH we will hopefully via Liam Archibald, Ross concern to Keith after a Nairn County v Forres make a difference to the Elliott (2) and Brodie Allen brace from Cammy Keith Mechanics; Rothes v Buckie lives of young people of but red cards given out to gave them a 2-0 win against Thistle; Wick Academy v Scotland.” Inverurie’s Neil McLean grabs Jack Henry by the neck. Archibald and Kevin Flett Deveronvale. Strathspey Thistle. Halkirk Wednesday, November 6, 2019 SPORT youth 45 Courier Sportsdesk email: [email protected] winners www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk Page 23 9 771354 964201 Academy keep their cool as Locos see red Football By Matt Leslie WICK Academy manager Tom McKenna praised his side for keeping their cool as Inverurie went off the rails in Saturday’s bad-tempered clash at Harlaw Park. Gary Manson’s penalty in 59 minutes was enough for the Scorries to secure a 1-0 win and end their recent los- ing streak as they moved up one place in the Highland League table to 10th. But the scoreline does not tell the whole story. Seven players were booked by ref- eree Liam Duncan, while three from Inverurie saw red – one of them twice and another after the match had finished. Mark Souter was dis- missed for his foul on Jack Halliday that led to Manson’s penalty, while Jamie Michie received one red for a foul on Sam Mackay with another coming his way for dissent. Locos striker Neil Gauld made sure he didn’t miss Wick’s Gary Manson (left) powers the ball past Inverurie keeper Andy Reid from the penalty spot to secure a 1-0 win for Academy. Picture: Mel Roger out when he was red-carded following an incident after could have been a lot of played very well. McKenna’s counterpart in he has said something out of and the governing body had the final whistle. conflict out there but the “They worked hard and the Inverurie dugout had a lack of discipline.” missed an opportunity to Academy picked up three lads kept their discipline controlled the game well different point of view. Low felt that over the crack down on indiscipline bookings but McKenna was and conducted themselves when we had the ball. The Manager Andy Low said: course of the game Academy on the pitch. Locos won that thankful his squad didn’t professionally. game could have gone ei- “Regarding the Souter send- deserved to win. game 3-2 after Academy had cross the line on what proved “I heard our win has been ther way but we deserved ing-off, I felt a yellow should It was the second time this been two goals up. to be a feisty afternoon. described as ‘scrappy’. I this victory.” have been enough if they got season an Inverurie v Wick Saturday’s result brought “I thought the lads were don’t think it was scrappy Of the drama that un- a penalty. match at Harlaw Park had an end to a poor run for the exceptional,” he said. “There at all – I thought the lads folded on the pitch itself, “There is only so much I been shrouded in contro- Scorries during which they McKenna had no issue with can say on the Michie pun- versy. When the teams met lost to Huntly, Rothes, Nairn the calls made by referee ishment. It’s a stonewall in September in a Scottish County and Brora Rangers. There could have been a lot Duncan. He added: “First of penalty for a two-footed Cup first-round tie, a head- It was the first time this of conflict out there but the all it was a definite penalty. studs-up challenge [from butt by Eric Watson on season Academy had kept a Jack [Halliday] was taken Mackay] and the reaction Davie Allan earned a two- clean sheet on their travels. lads kept their discipline out. With the red card that from my player is out of frus- match ban for the Inverurie The only other clean sheet ‘‘ and conducted themselves involved Sam, that was ful- tration and anger. defender. so far was in the 2-0 home ly merited. He went right “I cannot comment on Speaking at the time, victory over Turriff United in professionally. through him. Sam could the second red he’s collect- McKenna said he felt the early September. Tom McKenna have broken his ankle.” ed but I’ll be disappointed if SFA had been too lenient n More football – page 23 John O’ Groats Crafts Ltd Sheila Fleet will be presenting her new Arctic Stream along with all her invites you to other stunning designs. She would be delighted to meet customers and offer any help and advice required. FRIDAY 8th NOVEMBER 2019 1pm until 6pm at the Groatie Buckie Gift Shop, SATURDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2019 10am until 7pm John O’Groats SUNDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2019 11am until 6pm Arctic Stream 01955 611533 / 741 / 373 Sheila Fleet will be showing the new Inspired by the shapes and colours Email: [email protected] Arctic Stream on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.