Post by Brian Mackay on Apr 8, 2005 16:40:04 GMT -5
Cup final frustration for Thurso after loss of early goals - by Iain Grant
TWO early strikes proved decisive as Alness on Saturday added the SWL Cup to the MSIS North Caledonian League title. Their victory over the Vikings in the final at Dudgeon Park, Brora, extends their impressive unbeaten sequence to 12 matches.
After netting twice within the first quarter of an hour, the Easter Ross outfit shut up shop and baited their opponents to try and force their way back into contention. In doing so, they were content to cede possession and territory for long spells.
Thurso were not short of endeavour but their energy was not matched by the inspiration needed to unlock a disciplined and resolute rearguard.
In Brian Davidson, Kevin Keith and man-of-the-match Paul Houston, Alness also had the personnel to launch fast counter-attacks, while wily veteran striker Ross Jack was also a regular threat.
In their 26 league and cup games this season, the Vikings have failed to score just twice - in their last two outings against Alness.
Apart from the goals, scoring opportunities for both sides were in short supply. Thurso's three openings fell to top scorer Alan Murray, with his failure to convert what should have been a routine header midway through the first half perhaps the most crucial.
The game was to be decided on the strength of Alness hitting the jackpot with their first two attacks of the game.
There seemed no imminent danger when Brian Ross sent Kevin Keith surging down the left wing after three minutes.
Keith, from near the corner flag, swept over a firm, low centre which flashed past a couple of defenders to find Brendan McGarvey lurking with intent at the far post. With keeper Michael Gray also wrong-footed by the pace of the cross, McGarvey had the easiest of tasks to net from a couple of yards out.
Another piece of defensive slackness allowed Alness to double their advantage on 14 minutes.
A mistimed clearance by Ross Sutherland gave Houston the chance to make space for himself on the edge of the 18-yard box before trying his luck.
It was not the cleanest strike but the ball arrowed into the net between the unsighted Michael Gray and his lefthand post.
An outbreak of tetchiness led to bookings in quick succession for Davidson and Thurso's Lee MacDougall.
MacDougall was a degree or two off from connecting with a boomer of a free kick on 18 minutes.
A free kick by Gavin Bremner after 27 minutes gave Murray an unopposed view of goal but he snatched a header wide of the target.
Two minutes later, a Bremner corner had Alness keeper Ally MacLeod in a tangle. His ineffectual punched clearance fell to MacDougall, whose shot was blocked before Bremner blazed the follow-up high over the bar.
A further bout of ill-temper after the resumption led to bookings for Houston and Murray.
A deflected free kick from MacDougall after 52 minutes hit the woodwork and Murray was then unlucky to see a close-in effort sneak past.
After 62 minutes, Thurso were indebted to Michael Gray when the keeper flung himself to his left to reach a dipping free kick from Jack.
Eight minutes later, Jamie MacKenzie added to the bookings for deliberate handball.
Murray looked to have put in MacKenzie after 84 minutes but his cross produced a crucial interception from the backtracking Colin Doull.
Alness continued to threaten on the break and had a decent chance to make it 3-0 with four minutes left, McGarvey opting to shoot early after finding himself clean through. His chip-shot beat Gray but screwed past the far post.
In the final minute Murray's connection from a cushioned header by sub Martyn Cook flew high over the bar.
Thurso assistant manager Richard Hughes reflected on an extremely frustrating afternoon.
"It was obviously a blow to lose the two goals early on, " he said. "It was then a case of them sitting in and us chasing the game.
"Had we managed to convert one of the couple of chances we created in the first half, it would have changed the complexion of the game."
Alness boss Tommy Regan said:
"The early two goals gave us a real boost. We then defended well and stood up well to the pressure they put us under. Had Thurso been able to score first, it would have been a quite different game."
Thurso: M. Gray, B. Gray, Baker, Moar, Forbes, Makhouli (Cook 79), Bremner, Sutherland (Bain 75), MacDougall, MacKenzie, Murray. Sub not used: Warner.
Referee: W. Sinclair.
Thurso have no game tomorrow. With their league campaign completed, their remaining interest is in the last knockout tournament of the season - the Football Times Cup.
They are due to play the winners of the quarter-final between Golspie and Bunillidh Thistle at the Dammies a week tomorrow.
Alness entertain Balintore in the first semi this Saturday.
TWO early strikes proved decisive as Alness on Saturday added the SWL Cup to the MSIS North Caledonian League title. Their victory over the Vikings in the final at Dudgeon Park, Brora, extends their impressive unbeaten sequence to 12 matches.
After netting twice within the first quarter of an hour, the Easter Ross outfit shut up shop and baited their opponents to try and force their way back into contention. In doing so, they were content to cede possession and territory for long spells.
Thurso were not short of endeavour but their energy was not matched by the inspiration needed to unlock a disciplined and resolute rearguard.
In Brian Davidson, Kevin Keith and man-of-the-match Paul Houston, Alness also had the personnel to launch fast counter-attacks, while wily veteran striker Ross Jack was also a regular threat.
In their 26 league and cup games this season, the Vikings have failed to score just twice - in their last two outings against Alness.
Apart from the goals, scoring opportunities for both sides were in short supply. Thurso's three openings fell to top scorer Alan Murray, with his failure to convert what should have been a routine header midway through the first half perhaps the most crucial.
The game was to be decided on the strength of Alness hitting the jackpot with their first two attacks of the game.
There seemed no imminent danger when Brian Ross sent Kevin Keith surging down the left wing after three minutes.
Keith, from near the corner flag, swept over a firm, low centre which flashed past a couple of defenders to find Brendan McGarvey lurking with intent at the far post. With keeper Michael Gray also wrong-footed by the pace of the cross, McGarvey had the easiest of tasks to net from a couple of yards out.
Another piece of defensive slackness allowed Alness to double their advantage on 14 minutes.
A mistimed clearance by Ross Sutherland gave Houston the chance to make space for himself on the edge of the 18-yard box before trying his luck.
It was not the cleanest strike but the ball arrowed into the net between the unsighted Michael Gray and his lefthand post.
An outbreak of tetchiness led to bookings in quick succession for Davidson and Thurso's Lee MacDougall.
MacDougall was a degree or two off from connecting with a boomer of a free kick on 18 minutes.
A free kick by Gavin Bremner after 27 minutes gave Murray an unopposed view of goal but he snatched a header wide of the target.
Two minutes later, a Bremner corner had Alness keeper Ally MacLeod in a tangle. His ineffectual punched clearance fell to MacDougall, whose shot was blocked before Bremner blazed the follow-up high over the bar.
A further bout of ill-temper after the resumption led to bookings for Houston and Murray.
A deflected free kick from MacDougall after 52 minutes hit the woodwork and Murray was then unlucky to see a close-in effort sneak past.
After 62 minutes, Thurso were indebted to Michael Gray when the keeper flung himself to his left to reach a dipping free kick from Jack.
Eight minutes later, Jamie MacKenzie added to the bookings for deliberate handball.
Murray looked to have put in MacKenzie after 84 minutes but his cross produced a crucial interception from the backtracking Colin Doull.
Alness continued to threaten on the break and had a decent chance to make it 3-0 with four minutes left, McGarvey opting to shoot early after finding himself clean through. His chip-shot beat Gray but screwed past the far post.
In the final minute Murray's connection from a cushioned header by sub Martyn Cook flew high over the bar.
Thurso assistant manager Richard Hughes reflected on an extremely frustrating afternoon.
"It was obviously a blow to lose the two goals early on, " he said. "It was then a case of them sitting in and us chasing the game.
"Had we managed to convert one of the couple of chances we created in the first half, it would have changed the complexion of the game."
Alness boss Tommy Regan said:
"The early two goals gave us a real boost. We then defended well and stood up well to the pressure they put us under. Had Thurso been able to score first, it would have been a quite different game."
Thurso: M. Gray, B. Gray, Baker, Moar, Forbes, Makhouli (Cook 79), Bremner, Sutherland (Bain 75), MacDougall, MacKenzie, Murray. Sub not used: Warner.
Referee: W. Sinclair.
Thurso have no game tomorrow. With their league campaign completed, their remaining interest is in the last knockout tournament of the season - the Football Times Cup.
They are due to play the winners of the quarter-final between Golspie and Bunillidh Thistle at the Dammies a week tomorrow.
Alness entertain Balintore in the first semi this Saturday.