Post by Brian Mackay on Sept 29, 2010 9:30:20 GMT -5
Thurso 2 V Invergordon 0 - report by Iain Grant
Goals near the end of both halves of Saturday’s tussle allowed the Vikings to post their first PSG North Caley League home victory of the season.
Invergordon arrived at Sir Georges Park seeking to preserve their record as the only unbeaten side in league and cup action.
The Easter Ross men have a more solid and combative look to them than recent seasons and have already collected the notable scalps of Golspie and Halkirk United.
On Saturday, they had their best spell in the third quarter when they had their hosts rattled and were unlucky not to equalise when a shot cracked back off Michael Gray’s crossbar.
Thurso were quickly into their stride and visiting keeper Steven Campbell and his defence were hard-pushed to keep their goal intact.
Campbell did well on 10 minutes to read the flight of a Mark Nichol downward volley and turn it behind.
The Vikings, who fielded new signings Stewart Ross and Ross Allan, forced a succession of corners which should have produced a breakthrough.
Centre-back Grant Steven was particularly culpable in heading over unchallenged when presented with an unguarded net.
Jamie MacKenzie and Kyle Ross were at the heart of most attacks with frontman Nichol prominent with some fine link-up play.
The prolific Nichol continued his current goal drought as he watched a 27th minute drive ping back off a post, with Campbell a bystander.
The opening goal arrived a minute later, courtesy of a foraging run from James Murray.
He darted in from the left flank, veering past a couple of defenders before planting a firm shot between Campbell and the right upright.
The visitors had shown precious little attacking ambition in the first half but that dramatically changed after the turnaround.
They were to dominate possession for the first 20 minutes with the experienced Stevie Murray causing problems with his movement and clever prompts.
The pressure did not translate into goal-scoring chances with the snap-shot which rattled the woodwork the only real threat.
Thurso gradually worked their way back into the game and should have got a second on 65 minutes when Murray was hauled down in the penalty box.
Nichol wasted a golden opportunity to nail his 150th strike for the club when he hit a post with the spot-kick.
He was later replaced by youngster Chris Wann who took on a wide right role, with Kyle Ross promoted to partner Sandy Sutherland up front.
The Vikings had to wait until eight minutes from time for the killer second goal.
Allan’s corner was met by a side-volley from Kyle Ross from the edge of the six yard box.
His effort came back off the bar with Sutherland first to react as he headed into the back of the net.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid said: “I thought we started well and played at a good tempo from the off.
“We pressed well and had a couple of really good chances before we scored. “We were well on top until they upped the pace at the start of the second half.
“They had a lot of the ball but apart from hitting the bar, they never really bothered us in the final third.”
The manager was impressed with a secure defensive display and was more than happy with the performances of his new signings.
Thurso – Gray, Petrie, S. Ross, Steven, K. Ross, MacKenzie, Allan, Murray (Wann 70), Nichol (MacGregor 70), Sutherland, MacDougall. Sub (unused) – Bremner and Mackintosh
Goals near the end of both halves of Saturday’s tussle allowed the Vikings to post their first PSG North Caley League home victory of the season.
Invergordon arrived at Sir Georges Park seeking to preserve their record as the only unbeaten side in league and cup action.
The Easter Ross men have a more solid and combative look to them than recent seasons and have already collected the notable scalps of Golspie and Halkirk United.
On Saturday, they had their best spell in the third quarter when they had their hosts rattled and were unlucky not to equalise when a shot cracked back off Michael Gray’s crossbar.
Thurso were quickly into their stride and visiting keeper Steven Campbell and his defence were hard-pushed to keep their goal intact.
Campbell did well on 10 minutes to read the flight of a Mark Nichol downward volley and turn it behind.
The Vikings, who fielded new signings Stewart Ross and Ross Allan, forced a succession of corners which should have produced a breakthrough.
Centre-back Grant Steven was particularly culpable in heading over unchallenged when presented with an unguarded net.
Jamie MacKenzie and Kyle Ross were at the heart of most attacks with frontman Nichol prominent with some fine link-up play.
The prolific Nichol continued his current goal drought as he watched a 27th minute drive ping back off a post, with Campbell a bystander.
The opening goal arrived a minute later, courtesy of a foraging run from James Murray.
He darted in from the left flank, veering past a couple of defenders before planting a firm shot between Campbell and the right upright.
The visitors had shown precious little attacking ambition in the first half but that dramatically changed after the turnaround.
They were to dominate possession for the first 20 minutes with the experienced Stevie Murray causing problems with his movement and clever prompts.
The pressure did not translate into goal-scoring chances with the snap-shot which rattled the woodwork the only real threat.
Thurso gradually worked their way back into the game and should have got a second on 65 minutes when Murray was hauled down in the penalty box.
Nichol wasted a golden opportunity to nail his 150th strike for the club when he hit a post with the spot-kick.
He was later replaced by youngster Chris Wann who took on a wide right role, with Kyle Ross promoted to partner Sandy Sutherland up front.
The Vikings had to wait until eight minutes from time for the killer second goal.
Allan’s corner was met by a side-volley from Kyle Ross from the edge of the six yard box.
His effort came back off the bar with Sutherland first to react as he headed into the back of the net.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid said: “I thought we started well and played at a good tempo from the off.
“We pressed well and had a couple of really good chances before we scored. “We were well on top until they upped the pace at the start of the second half.
“They had a lot of the ball but apart from hitting the bar, they never really bothered us in the final third.”
The manager was impressed with a secure defensive display and was more than happy with the performances of his new signings.
Thurso – Gray, Petrie, S. Ross, Steven, K. Ross, MacKenzie, Allan, Murray (Wann 70), Nichol (MacGregor 70), Sutherland, MacDougall. Sub (unused) – Bremner and Mackintosh