Post by Brian Mackay on Nov 5, 2005 8:02:06 GMT -5
Bunillidh Thistle 2 Thurso 5 - report by Iain Grant
It is proving another difficult season for Bunillidh who on Saturday plunged to their eighth straight defeat in North Caley action.
They flattered to deceive in this MSIS league encounter at Helmsdale with goals either side of half-time briefly raising hopes of an upset.
But the Vikings returned with a victory which could have been a lot more decisive had they shown more of a killer streak in front of goal.
Bunillidh's goals also came at a time when the visitors were in the throes of major reshuffles in the wake of game-ending injuries sustained by defenders Kevin
Miller and Kevin Warner.
Miller twisted his ankle in the act of bagging his second goal of the game which put Thurso 3-0 up after 34 minutes.
Gavin Chessor and Mark Makhouli had both gone close before Miller rose to net Gavin Bremner's 23rd minute free-kick to put his side in front.
Thurso's second came six minutes later when the two Makhoulis exchanged passes with Mark teeing up Phil to net from the edge of the box.
Miller again gave his forwards an object lesson in finishing when a long-distance sortie saw him play a 1-2 before volleying home.
It proved his last act of the day with his wrenched ankle forcing his replacement by striker Alan Murray.
Warner meanwhile was hobbling on with a knock which was to end his involvement.
Bunillidh took full advantage of the subsequent dislocation in the Thurso ranks when Robert MacDonald found himself in space to reduce the deficit four minutes from the break.
The three goal gap was restored on 44 minutes when Shaun Forbes was left unattended at the back post to net Bremner's corner.
Bunillidh were given further encouragement four minutes after the turnaround when Ross Newton got on the end of a long ball to grab his side's second.
The home side were soon under the cosh again and it was surprise it took the visitors until 15 minutes from the end to score again.
It proved a debut goal for young sub Scott Mackay Steven who latched on to a return pass from Mark Makhouli to round keeper Sammy Jackson and tap into the empty net.
Mackay Steven was put clear again five minutes later but this time he was foiled by the keeper.
Thurso manager Colin Chessor said it was a pretty scrappy, stop-start game which his side should have won more convincingly.
He said: "It was disappointing to lose the two goals though we conceded both when we were having to deal with the injuries.
"We could have converted more chances but it was fairly comfortable and we came back up the road with the three points which we needed to move up the table."
Thurso have a free day tomorrow before two crucial home games versus Golspie and Balintore.
Chessor is hoping both Warner and Miller will have recovered in time to face Golspie.
Thurso - Asa Sinclair, Warner (Adamson 55), Miller (A.Murray 34), G.Coghill, Forbes, Cook, G.Bremner, Bain (Mackay Steven), M. Makhouli, G.Chessor, P. Makhouli.
Ref -- Mr W. Sinclair.
Dornoch are proving the surprise package in this year's league campaign.
They have put behind them struggles in recent campaigns to put themselves firmly in the title race.
On Saturday, they maintained their 100% home record with a 3-2 win versus Alness to leapfrog Balintore into second place.
Invergordon stay top but will be disappointed to concede a late goal in their 1-1 home draw with Bonar Bridge.
MSIS NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE
Pl W D L F A Pts
INVERGORDON 9 5 3 1 21 10 18
DORNOCH 7 5 0 2 20 9 15
BALINTORE 6 4 2 0 12 3 14
THURSO 8 4 2 2 22 16 14
GOLSPIE 8 3 3 2 18 15 12
HALKIRK UTD 7 3 0 4 11 12 9
BONAR BRIDGE 7 2 1 4 12 18 7
ALNESS UTD 7 1 1 5 9 17 4
BUNILLIDH THIS 7 0 0 7 7 32 0
It is proving another difficult season for Bunillidh who on Saturday plunged to their eighth straight defeat in North Caley action.
They flattered to deceive in this MSIS league encounter at Helmsdale with goals either side of half-time briefly raising hopes of an upset.
But the Vikings returned with a victory which could have been a lot more decisive had they shown more of a killer streak in front of goal.
Bunillidh's goals also came at a time when the visitors were in the throes of major reshuffles in the wake of game-ending injuries sustained by defenders Kevin
Miller and Kevin Warner.
Miller twisted his ankle in the act of bagging his second goal of the game which put Thurso 3-0 up after 34 minutes.
Gavin Chessor and Mark Makhouli had both gone close before Miller rose to net Gavin Bremner's 23rd minute free-kick to put his side in front.
Thurso's second came six minutes later when the two Makhoulis exchanged passes with Mark teeing up Phil to net from the edge of the box.
Miller again gave his forwards an object lesson in finishing when a long-distance sortie saw him play a 1-2 before volleying home.
It proved his last act of the day with his wrenched ankle forcing his replacement by striker Alan Murray.
Warner meanwhile was hobbling on with a knock which was to end his involvement.
Bunillidh took full advantage of the subsequent dislocation in the Thurso ranks when Robert MacDonald found himself in space to reduce the deficit four minutes from the break.
The three goal gap was restored on 44 minutes when Shaun Forbes was left unattended at the back post to net Bremner's corner.
Bunillidh were given further encouragement four minutes after the turnaround when Ross Newton got on the end of a long ball to grab his side's second.
The home side were soon under the cosh again and it was surprise it took the visitors until 15 minutes from the end to score again.
It proved a debut goal for young sub Scott Mackay Steven who latched on to a return pass from Mark Makhouli to round keeper Sammy Jackson and tap into the empty net.
Mackay Steven was put clear again five minutes later but this time he was foiled by the keeper.
Thurso manager Colin Chessor said it was a pretty scrappy, stop-start game which his side should have won more convincingly.
He said: "It was disappointing to lose the two goals though we conceded both when we were having to deal with the injuries.
"We could have converted more chances but it was fairly comfortable and we came back up the road with the three points which we needed to move up the table."
Thurso have a free day tomorrow before two crucial home games versus Golspie and Balintore.
Chessor is hoping both Warner and Miller will have recovered in time to face Golspie.
Thurso - Asa Sinclair, Warner (Adamson 55), Miller (A.Murray 34), G.Coghill, Forbes, Cook, G.Bremner, Bain (Mackay Steven), M. Makhouli, G.Chessor, P. Makhouli.
Ref -- Mr W. Sinclair.
Dornoch are proving the surprise package in this year's league campaign.
They have put behind them struggles in recent campaigns to put themselves firmly in the title race.
On Saturday, they maintained their 100% home record with a 3-2 win versus Alness to leapfrog Balintore into second place.
Invergordon stay top but will be disappointed to concede a late goal in their 1-1 home draw with Bonar Bridge.
MSIS NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE
Pl W D L F A Pts
INVERGORDON 9 5 3 1 21 10 18
DORNOCH 7 5 0 2 20 9 15
BALINTORE 6 4 2 0 12 3 14
THURSO 8 4 2 2 22 16 14
GOLSPIE 8 3 3 2 18 15 12
HALKIRK UTD 7 3 0 4 11 12 9
BONAR BRIDGE 7 2 1 4 12 18 7
ALNESS UTD 7 1 1 5 9 17 4
BUNILLIDH THIS 7 0 0 7 7 32 0