Post by Brian Mackay on Sept 1, 2010 7:34:12 GMT -5
Halkirk United 2 V Thurso 0 - report by Iain Grant
The Anglers reeled in three points after coming out on top of their PCT North Caley pipe-opener against their county rivals on Saturday.
First half strikes from Gregg Shearer and Liam Bremner proved decisive as Thurso drew a blank at the start of their title defence.
Neither manager came away particularly satisfied with their teams’ displays and both Ian MacDonald and Stevie Reid will be looking for a step-up in their respective outings tomorrow.
The Vikings fielded new signings, keeper Neal Clark, midfielder Kyle Ross and striker James Murray, while Bremner had his first run-out for the home outfit.
Both sides made canny openings with Thurso defender Grant Steven required to make a vital penalty box interception to prevent Luke Sawyer latching on to Shearer’s probing pass.
On 12 minutes, Martin Sutherland’s driven cross into the Halkirk goalmouth bobbled into the path of Murray whose half-volley went harmlessly over.
Eight minutes later, Jamie MacKenzie passed up a similar half-chance when his connection from Michael Petrie’s hanging cross was comfortably collected by keeper Graeme Williamson.
Williamson then had to reach high so as not to be embarrassed by a speculative effort from just over the halfway line by Andrew Bremner.
The opener on 27 minutes stemmed from a muscular run down the inside-left channel by Lee Elder.
His cross was hacked by Steven towards Shearer who steered a first-time, low shot past Clark.
Thurso were almost level four minutes later when Ross’s deflected corner from the left required Colin Sinclair to clear from under his cross bar.
The Anglers then went desperately close on 33 minutes when Sawyer and Shearer set up Colin Sinclair for a shot from the edge of the box which cannoned back off the right post.
The defence failed to clear the danger and Liam Bremner took full advantage to score with a 25 yard over-the-shoulder shot which looped over Clark.
Bremner failed to take a glorious opportunity for his second six minutes from the break when he was sent romping in on goal b y Gavin Henderson.
The Staxigoe man bore down on Clark but his would-be finish crept past the far post.
From almost going three down, the visitors could have been just one behind at the interval had MacKenzie not skied a chance created for him on the left corner of the penalty box.
Thurso were on top for the first 15 minutes after the interval without creating any clear openings.
The first opportunity of the half fell to Sawyer who found space to head just the wrong side of the post from Henderson’s free-kick.
Ross came closest to a Thurso breakthrough when his powerfully-struck 30 yarder on 66 minutes produced a spectacular fingertip save from Shaun Henderson.
Late pressure saw MacKenzie almost convert a Lee MacDougall corner before Mark Nichol’s 10 yard drive was deflected widee.
The last chance in stoppage time fell to young Halkirk sub Lee Mackay whose effort flashed just past.
United manager MacDonald was happy to collect the three points but was less than impressed with the standard of fare on offer.
“It wasn’t the best of games to watch,” he said.
“I think both teams were still in summer football mode and the number of stoppages in the game when advantage could have been played didn’t help.
“It will take us a few weeks before we get fully into our stride.”
Acknowledging his side got the rub of the green in the run-up to both goals, he said that did not detract from two clinical finishes.
Thurso manager Reid said: “I thought we had about 75% of the game and, on another day, we might have come out on top had we taken our chances.
“But fair play to Halkirk for capitalising on defensive mistakes which led to the goals.”
Reid added: “For having a few new faces, I thought we played reasonably well.
“You never want to get beaten but if we lost having played absolutely rubbish, it would feel a lot worse.”
Halkirk – Williamson, C. Sinclair (M. Bremner 60), Florence, MacDonald, A. Sinclair, Henderson, Murray, Sawyer, Elder (L. Mackay 84), L. Bremner, Shearer. Subs (unused) – Davidson, Nicolson and M. Mackay
Thurso – Clark, Sutherland, Petrie (Begg 40), Steven, Bremner, MacGregor (Mackintosh 85), Ross, MacKenzie, Nichol, Murray, MacDougall.
Subs (unused) – Stewart, MacNab and Trueman.
Ref – Mr G. John.
The Anglers reeled in three points after coming out on top of their PCT North Caley pipe-opener against their county rivals on Saturday.
First half strikes from Gregg Shearer and Liam Bremner proved decisive as Thurso drew a blank at the start of their title defence.
Neither manager came away particularly satisfied with their teams’ displays and both Ian MacDonald and Stevie Reid will be looking for a step-up in their respective outings tomorrow.
The Vikings fielded new signings, keeper Neal Clark, midfielder Kyle Ross and striker James Murray, while Bremner had his first run-out for the home outfit.
Both sides made canny openings with Thurso defender Grant Steven required to make a vital penalty box interception to prevent Luke Sawyer latching on to Shearer’s probing pass.
On 12 minutes, Martin Sutherland’s driven cross into the Halkirk goalmouth bobbled into the path of Murray whose half-volley went harmlessly over.
Eight minutes later, Jamie MacKenzie passed up a similar half-chance when his connection from Michael Petrie’s hanging cross was comfortably collected by keeper Graeme Williamson.
Williamson then had to reach high so as not to be embarrassed by a speculative effort from just over the halfway line by Andrew Bremner.
The opener on 27 minutes stemmed from a muscular run down the inside-left channel by Lee Elder.
His cross was hacked by Steven towards Shearer who steered a first-time, low shot past Clark.
Thurso were almost level four minutes later when Ross’s deflected corner from the left required Colin Sinclair to clear from under his cross bar.
The Anglers then went desperately close on 33 minutes when Sawyer and Shearer set up Colin Sinclair for a shot from the edge of the box which cannoned back off the right post.
The defence failed to clear the danger and Liam Bremner took full advantage to score with a 25 yard over-the-shoulder shot which looped over Clark.
Bremner failed to take a glorious opportunity for his second six minutes from the break when he was sent romping in on goal b y Gavin Henderson.
The Staxigoe man bore down on Clark but his would-be finish crept past the far post.
From almost going three down, the visitors could have been just one behind at the interval had MacKenzie not skied a chance created for him on the left corner of the penalty box.
Thurso were on top for the first 15 minutes after the interval without creating any clear openings.
The first opportunity of the half fell to Sawyer who found space to head just the wrong side of the post from Henderson’s free-kick.
Ross came closest to a Thurso breakthrough when his powerfully-struck 30 yarder on 66 minutes produced a spectacular fingertip save from Shaun Henderson.
Late pressure saw MacKenzie almost convert a Lee MacDougall corner before Mark Nichol’s 10 yard drive was deflected widee.
The last chance in stoppage time fell to young Halkirk sub Lee Mackay whose effort flashed just past.
United manager MacDonald was happy to collect the three points but was less than impressed with the standard of fare on offer.
“It wasn’t the best of games to watch,” he said.
“I think both teams were still in summer football mode and the number of stoppages in the game when advantage could have been played didn’t help.
“It will take us a few weeks before we get fully into our stride.”
Acknowledging his side got the rub of the green in the run-up to both goals, he said that did not detract from two clinical finishes.
Thurso manager Reid said: “I thought we had about 75% of the game and, on another day, we might have come out on top had we taken our chances.
“But fair play to Halkirk for capitalising on defensive mistakes which led to the goals.”
Reid added: “For having a few new faces, I thought we played reasonably well.
“You never want to get beaten but if we lost having played absolutely rubbish, it would feel a lot worse.”
Halkirk – Williamson, C. Sinclair (M. Bremner 60), Florence, MacDonald, A. Sinclair, Henderson, Murray, Sawyer, Elder (L. Mackay 84), L. Bremner, Shearer. Subs (unused) – Davidson, Nicolson and M. Mackay
Thurso – Clark, Sutherland, Petrie (Begg 40), Steven, Bremner, MacGregor (Mackintosh 85), Ross, MacKenzie, Nichol, Murray, MacDougall.
Subs (unused) – Stewart, MacNab and Trueman.
Ref – Mr G. John.