Post by Brian Mackay on Mar 2, 2011 9:20:35 GMT -5
Thurso 3 Invergordon 0 - report by Iain Grant
Mark Nichol continued his hot streak in front of goal as the Vikings extended their unbeaten record in cup competitions this season.
The striker’s smartly taken hat-trick took his tally to 12 in Thurso’s five outings in 2011 and 19 for the season.
Invergordon were very much at the races in a competitive first half but the two goals they conceded shortly after the interval ended their hopes of advancing in this Jock Mackay Memorial Cup.
Thurso now entertain Alness United in their bid to reach a third successive final.
Nichol had a chance to open his account on 14 minutes but he was unable to finesse a free-kick on the edge of the box around the defensive cordon.
The hard-working Invergordon afforded their hosts few chances until falling behind on the half-hour mark.
Centre-back Shaun Forbes carved out the opportunity with a sweeping pass which picked out Nichol’s run in behind the defence and his left-foot finish beat keeper Stevie Campbell and went in off the inside of the far post.
Three minutes later, Nichol turned provider when he played in Michael Petrie who was unable to convert the inviting opportunity.
Invergordon responded with a sharp counter which ended with Robert MacAskill firing narrowly past.
They should have gone two behind on 38 minutes when Ross Allan’s pace took him clean through, only for him to screw his shot wide of target.
Jordan Mitchell’s persistent, strident appeal that Allan was offside earned him the first caution of the afternoon.
Thurso’s strong start to the second half was capped by a second goal three minutes after the resumption.
After forcing a corner, Nichol rose unopposed at the far post to net Lee MacDougall’s delivery.
vik 2
The Vikings kept a stranglehold on the play and Chris Wann’s strong surge down the right created another opening for Nichol whose effort was turned behind by Campbell.
Thurso’s third on 57 minutes stemmed from keeper Michel Gray’s long clearance to Allan who beat two players before setting up Nichol for a tap-in.
The Vikings were very much in the groove and Martin Sutherland’s surge on 72 minutes invited a shot from MacDougall, which Campbell was happy to see clear his crossbar.
Invergordon never gave up and 20 minutes from time, MacCormack released Steven Murray who forced Gray into his first serious action of the afternoon.
Thurso’s young sub Ryan Begg shot narrowly over from distance before the last chance fell to MacCormack whose effort flew inches wide of the far post, with Gray beaten.
Gary MacGregor, who marked his first start of the year with a
typically industrious display, was among the other bookings along with Nichol and Invergordon’s Billy Horn.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid believed his side sluggish start can be partly explained by an enforced rejig of their formation following defender John Smith’s late call-off.
“We reverted to a 4-2-2 which the boys took a bit of getting used to,” he said.
“We started a bit lethargic and Invergordon were also pretty stuffy
“It took the first goal for us to get a real grip on the game and the second just after the interval was crucial.
“I thought the really pleased thing was that we finished the game with a really young side on the park.”
Thurso – Gray, Stewart, Wann (Harrold 62), Sutherland, Forbes, Steven, Petrie (Begg 70), MacGregor, Nichol, Allan (Mackintosh 72), MacDougall.
Invergordon -- Campbell, Horn, Graham (D. MacCormack 80), Stone, MacPherson, MacAskill (Colquhon 56), R. MacCormack, Mitchell, Murray, Rutherford, Murray. Subs (unused) – Sinclair
Ref – Mr G. Elder.
Mark Nichol continued his hot streak in front of goal as the Vikings extended their unbeaten record in cup competitions this season.
The striker’s smartly taken hat-trick took his tally to 12 in Thurso’s five outings in 2011 and 19 for the season.
Invergordon were very much at the races in a competitive first half but the two goals they conceded shortly after the interval ended their hopes of advancing in this Jock Mackay Memorial Cup.
Thurso now entertain Alness United in their bid to reach a third successive final.
Nichol had a chance to open his account on 14 minutes but he was unable to finesse a free-kick on the edge of the box around the defensive cordon.
The hard-working Invergordon afforded their hosts few chances until falling behind on the half-hour mark.
Centre-back Shaun Forbes carved out the opportunity with a sweeping pass which picked out Nichol’s run in behind the defence and his left-foot finish beat keeper Stevie Campbell and went in off the inside of the far post.
Three minutes later, Nichol turned provider when he played in Michael Petrie who was unable to convert the inviting opportunity.
Invergordon responded with a sharp counter which ended with Robert MacAskill firing narrowly past.
They should have gone two behind on 38 minutes when Ross Allan’s pace took him clean through, only for him to screw his shot wide of target.
Jordan Mitchell’s persistent, strident appeal that Allan was offside earned him the first caution of the afternoon.
Thurso’s strong start to the second half was capped by a second goal three minutes after the resumption.
After forcing a corner, Nichol rose unopposed at the far post to net Lee MacDougall’s delivery.
vik 2
The Vikings kept a stranglehold on the play and Chris Wann’s strong surge down the right created another opening for Nichol whose effort was turned behind by Campbell.
Thurso’s third on 57 minutes stemmed from keeper Michel Gray’s long clearance to Allan who beat two players before setting up Nichol for a tap-in.
The Vikings were very much in the groove and Martin Sutherland’s surge on 72 minutes invited a shot from MacDougall, which Campbell was happy to see clear his crossbar.
Invergordon never gave up and 20 minutes from time, MacCormack released Steven Murray who forced Gray into his first serious action of the afternoon.
Thurso’s young sub Ryan Begg shot narrowly over from distance before the last chance fell to MacCormack whose effort flew inches wide of the far post, with Gray beaten.
Gary MacGregor, who marked his first start of the year with a
typically industrious display, was among the other bookings along with Nichol and Invergordon’s Billy Horn.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid believed his side sluggish start can be partly explained by an enforced rejig of their formation following defender John Smith’s late call-off.
“We reverted to a 4-2-2 which the boys took a bit of getting used to,” he said.
“We started a bit lethargic and Invergordon were also pretty stuffy
“It took the first goal for us to get a real grip on the game and the second just after the interval was crucial.
“I thought the really pleased thing was that we finished the game with a really young side on the park.”
Thurso – Gray, Stewart, Wann (Harrold 62), Sutherland, Forbes, Steven, Petrie (Begg 70), MacGregor, Nichol, Allan (Mackintosh 72), MacDougall.
Invergordon -- Campbell, Horn, Graham (D. MacCormack 80), Stone, MacPherson, MacAskill (Colquhon 56), R. MacCormack, Mitchell, Murray, Rutherford, Murray. Subs (unused) – Sinclair
Ref – Mr G. Elder.