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Wick Groats v Castletown (26-05-09)

After last weeks disappointing result against Swifts, Groats were keen to get back on the winning trail, but in their way stood a difficult game against Castletown. The visitors had already been beaten twice this season and therefore saw this as an ideal chance to put themselves back in the title race by beating one of the early front runners. Where, tonights game saw the start of an extremely important 7 days for the home side, which could potentially shape Groats season, with Castletown in the league, followed by two games in close succession against Pentland United in the Highland Amateur second round, and league respectively.

Groats started well monopolising most of the early possession, with Gary and Kyle winning the important midfield battle, and Beezer an ever threatening option down the left. For all their possession though, they never really tested the goalie; who was helpless when Groats finally did hit the target.

1^st Goal - Beezer and Bones combined on the left before slipping the ball inside to Gary; the midfield anchor man found himself in unfamiliar territory, but showed extreme composure and deadly accuracy as he faked to shoot with his right, cut back on his left and thumped the ball into the far corner.

This goal should have settled Groats, but they seemed to relax with their lead and let Castletown get a foot hold in the game. Some possession and pressure from the visitors came and the equaliser looked ominous.

1^st goal - The goal came from a very scrappy corner, Groats failed to win the first ball, and then were unlucky to see that ball land at Gavin Henderson's feet; probably the one person you wouldn't want it to fall to inside the box. Although it wasn't one of Gavin's finest hits it deflected of a Groats player and through Graeme who could do little through crowded bodies.

The home side reacted well to being pegged back and stepped it up before half time feeling a bit hard done by as some decisions had gone against them prior to the goal and Castletown had levelled with one of their few efforts on goal.

2^nd Goal - Luckily enough this effort and battling character paid off just before the break. A free kick deep on the right was whipped into the channel in between the goalie and the defence, and although Jimmy and Stewart tried to get a touch, they were happy enough to see the ball slide into the back corner un-aided. A Groats lead at half time probably a fair reflection on the first half.

Half Time -Wick Groats 2 - Castletown 1

The second half turned out to be a strange affair, with plenty of effort from both sides but no real quality possession, or sustained pressure. Groats went close a couple of times through a great move between Kyle, Jimmy and Bones which was well saved by the goalie; and a number of dangerous raids down the right by Greg, but unfortunately that final ball was proving elusive.

Groats knew that the one goal cushion was never enough, and with Castletown changing tactics and moving Fracker up top there was always a danger on the counter attack as the game stretched.

3rd Goal - Thankfully the third did come and it was no suprise when it came from the right, Bones again involved in the thick of the action. Some more tireless running in behind the defence allowed Greg to slide the ball through, Bones hit the by line and cut the ball back to Beezer who arrived on cue to bag his brace; coolly slotting the ball into the bottom left.

The game continued in the same fashion, with both teams battling, but it petered out with Groats third; and the home side picked up an battling victory, but important three points to set them up for their Pentalnd United double header.

Full Time -Wick Groats 3 - Castletown 1