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James Murray is reaping the rewards of the work he has put in to improve his fitness by playing a key role in Pentland United’s unbeaten start to the summer season.
The 33-year-old striker has been prolific in front of goal and his midweek double against High Ormlie Hotspur, along with an assist, kept the Stabbies on top of Caithness AFA Division One.
Co-manager Michael Gray was full of praise for Murray after Tuesday night’s 3-2 win at Ormlie.
“James Murray has put a big effort into his fitness over the winter,” Gray said. “He’s leaner and he is up to 15 goals already this season, which is a great return.
“To score two goals and an assist in a game like that, fair credit to him. It was a tense affair against one of the title challengers.
“By his own admission, he probably needed to do a little bit more. He’s probably coming to the stage of his life where he knows that if he doesn’t look after himself it’s going to curtail his career.
“He’s done a lot of work, he’s looking a lot leaner and he is taking his chances.
“He has been around for a good while now. He has always been an enormously talented player and he has played in the Highland League with Brora and Wick.
“He’s having a good season and he was mentioning he has now overtaken last year’s total already. He is doing really well so we are pleased for him.”
Murray opened the scoring after he latched onto a flick from Sam Mackay. The striker then set up the second, breaking down the right and crossing for Sean Campbell to finish.
High Ormlie Hotspur, who came away with a 3-3 draw when the teams met at Ham Park earlier this month, got themselves level with two goals early in the second half.
Mark Munro netted from a cutback by Kieran MacGregor, then Aaron McNicol headed in the equaliser.
However, Murray fired in the winner with about 15 minutes to go.
“We were 2-0 up and then the break probably didn’t come at a great time for us,” Gray said. “It allowed them to reset and come at us at the start of the second half.
“After going to 2-2 I thought we quickly re-established ourselves back in the game and created some really good chances before we actually got the winner.”
Campbell is another man in form for the Stabbies.
“His attitude is second to none,” Gray said. “Technically he’s a very good player, he reads the game very well.
“He is like a pocket dynamo. He works his socks off for the team, he gets into great positions and obviously is scoring goals as well. That’s a good partnership in the attacking third for us.”
Pentland United are top of the table with 16 points from six matches. Second-placed Wick Groats, the reigning champions, have the same points tally but have played one game more.
High Ormlie are third with 11 points from six fixtures.
Gray said: “I think I said at the start of the season it’s going to be really competitive. If you look at all the games, there have been single-goal victories here and there and that’s a great sign.
“There are no easy games now. Teams are getting stronger, their squads are getting deeper, and they are able to field pretty good sides.
“From our own point of view, we’ve had a good start to the season but we’re not even at halfway in the league. We’ve got a really tough game now on Friday night against Staxigoe who have got one of the most talented squads in the county.
“It’s what the county needs, competitive football all the time, right through from the top to the bottom of the two divisions.
“It’s far better that people are tested and it brings out the best in them.
“I’ve been really impressed with the standard. Every game has been competitive. I think it’s good for the spectators and it’s good for the players.”