Post by Brian Mackay on Oct 7, 2005 9:44:24 GMT -5
Thurso 6 Bonar Bridge 1 - report by Iain Grant
The Vikings recovered from the shock of falling behind within the first minute to chalk up a convincing win over North Caley League strugglers Bonar.
Coming after a similar margin of victory over Bunillidh, who look like vying with thir Sutherland rivals for the bottom spot, the result sustain Thurso's recovery
from a sticky start to the campaign
But manager Colin Chessor has too much savvy to get carried away with two relatively undemanding wins and realises his side must cut the mustard against the fancied outfits if they are to feature in the hunt for silverware.
The quest starts tomorrow when they entertain high-flying Balintore with a place in the final of the PCT Cup at stake.
Thurso were caught cold on Saturday when Bonar striker Andrew Maitland broke free of the defence to steady himself before firing past teanage keeper Asa Sinclair.
It proved an unexpected boost for Bonar's threadbare squad which was augmented by morning call-ups for Thurso-based pair Graham Robertson and Colin MacDonald, who played the last 30 minutes.
The lead lasted for all of six minutes when Gavin Bremner's free-kick eluded both the wall and the grasp of Robbie Taylor.
A couple of minutes later, the home side forged in front after Martin Bain's fine surge down the right endd with his assist being converetd from close range by Lee
MacDougall.
After the league's top scorer of last year Alan Murray bagged a third after 14 minutes, Bonar looked set to implode.
But undaunted, the visitors proceeded to enjoy a busy spell which forced Sinclair to make a brave, point-blank save from Maitland and then to turn away a venomous
free-kick.
MacDougall went close with a free-kick before the winger was cautioned X for a 34th minute .
Shortly before the interval, both sides found themselves short-handed after, first Thurso's Gary Coghill, then Bonar's Billy Sutherland were red-carded for rash challenges.
If nothing else, the created more space for the ball-players in which to work.
Thurso sent 4-1 up when Gavin Chessor finished off a classy move with a crafty lob over Taylor six minutes into the second half.
After MacDougall scored his second shortly afterwards, the visitors again looked in danger of being steam-rollered.
They creditably and perhaps deserved the breaks that came their way when Chessor's 62nd minute 'goal' was disallowed and close-in efforts from MacDougall
and Bain finished just wide of the target.
X Ten minutes from time, their luck ran out when was taken down for a penalty, which was duly slotted home to provide a debut goal for teenage sub John
MacLeod.
MacDougall fired over the bar with the last chance of the game.
Bonar's cause was perhaps undone before the first whistle after they were hit by five Friday evening call-offs.
"It's galling that we could just scramble a bare squad together from a pool of 26 signed players", lamented manager Alan Ross.
Ross, who himself missed the game through work commitments, added: "Thurso is a tough place to come at the best of times, never mind when your'e missing key players."
Thurso manager Cloin Chessor
Robertson and MacDonald coming of the bench,
Thurso -- Sinclair, Sutherland, Fearns (Forbes 67) , P. Makhouli, M. Makhouli, Bain, Bremner, Coghill, Murray, Chessor (MacLeod 69), MacDougall.
Bonar -- Taylor, Smith, Farquhar, Maclean, MacNab, C. Mackay, Gilmour,
MacLeod, Sutherland, Burry, Maitland. Subs -- T. Mackay, MacDonald,
Robertson.
Ref -- Mr W. Sinclair, Canisbay.
viking 3
NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE
Pl W D L F A Pts
BALINTORE 5 4 1 0 11 2 13
DORNOCH 5 4 0 1 16 5 12
INVERGORDON 5 4 0 1 15 5 12
THURSO 5 2 1 2 13 11 7
GOLSPIE 5 2 1 1 10 11 7
HALKIRK 5 2 0 3 8 9 6
THURSO 5 2 1 2 13 11 7
ALNESS 5 1 1 3 6 12 4
BONAR BRIDGE 4 0 0 4 4 14 0
BUNILLIDH T 3 0 0 3 2 16 0
The Vikings recovered from the shock of falling behind within the first minute to chalk up a convincing win over North Caley League strugglers Bonar.
Coming after a similar margin of victory over Bunillidh, who look like vying with thir Sutherland rivals for the bottom spot, the result sustain Thurso's recovery
from a sticky start to the campaign
But manager Colin Chessor has too much savvy to get carried away with two relatively undemanding wins and realises his side must cut the mustard against the fancied outfits if they are to feature in the hunt for silverware.
The quest starts tomorrow when they entertain high-flying Balintore with a place in the final of the PCT Cup at stake.
Thurso were caught cold on Saturday when Bonar striker Andrew Maitland broke free of the defence to steady himself before firing past teanage keeper Asa Sinclair.
It proved an unexpected boost for Bonar's threadbare squad which was augmented by morning call-ups for Thurso-based pair Graham Robertson and Colin MacDonald, who played the last 30 minutes.
The lead lasted for all of six minutes when Gavin Bremner's free-kick eluded both the wall and the grasp of Robbie Taylor.
A couple of minutes later, the home side forged in front after Martin Bain's fine surge down the right endd with his assist being converetd from close range by Lee
MacDougall.
After the league's top scorer of last year Alan Murray bagged a third after 14 minutes, Bonar looked set to implode.
But undaunted, the visitors proceeded to enjoy a busy spell which forced Sinclair to make a brave, point-blank save from Maitland and then to turn away a venomous
free-kick.
MacDougall went close with a free-kick before the winger was cautioned X for a 34th minute .
Shortly before the interval, both sides found themselves short-handed after, first Thurso's Gary Coghill, then Bonar's Billy Sutherland were red-carded for rash challenges.
If nothing else, the created more space for the ball-players in which to work.
Thurso sent 4-1 up when Gavin Chessor finished off a classy move with a crafty lob over Taylor six minutes into the second half.
After MacDougall scored his second shortly afterwards, the visitors again looked in danger of being steam-rollered.
They creditably and perhaps deserved the breaks that came their way when Chessor's 62nd minute 'goal' was disallowed and close-in efforts from MacDougall
and Bain finished just wide of the target.
X Ten minutes from time, their luck ran out when was taken down for a penalty, which was duly slotted home to provide a debut goal for teenage sub John
MacLeod.
MacDougall fired over the bar with the last chance of the game.
Bonar's cause was perhaps undone before the first whistle after they were hit by five Friday evening call-offs.
"It's galling that we could just scramble a bare squad together from a pool of 26 signed players", lamented manager Alan Ross.
Ross, who himself missed the game through work commitments, added: "Thurso is a tough place to come at the best of times, never mind when your'e missing key players."
Thurso manager Cloin Chessor
Robertson and MacDonald coming of the bench,
Thurso -- Sinclair, Sutherland, Fearns (Forbes 67) , P. Makhouli, M. Makhouli, Bain, Bremner, Coghill, Murray, Chessor (MacLeod 69), MacDougall.
Bonar -- Taylor, Smith, Farquhar, Maclean, MacNab, C. Mackay, Gilmour,
MacLeod, Sutherland, Burry, Maitland. Subs -- T. Mackay, MacDonald,
Robertson.
Ref -- Mr W. Sinclair, Canisbay.
viking 3
NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE
Pl W D L F A Pts
BALINTORE 5 4 1 0 11 2 13
DORNOCH 5 4 0 1 16 5 12
INVERGORDON 5 4 0 1 15 5 12
THURSO 5 2 1 2 13 11 7
GOLSPIE 5 2 1 1 10 11 7
HALKIRK 5 2 0 3 8 9 6
THURSO 5 2 1 2 13 11 7
ALNESS 5 1 1 3 6 12 4
BONAR BRIDGE 4 0 0 4 4 14 0
BUNILLIDH T 3 0 0 3 2 16 0