Post by Brian Mackay on Feb 16, 2007 15:52:39 GMT -5
Bremner seals SWL Cup triumph for Vikings By Iain Grant
Published: 16 February, 2007
THE Vikings were thingy-a-hoop on Saturday after securing the SWL Cup with this hard-earned victory at a windswept Dudgeon Park, Brora.
Golspie had high hopes of succeeding neighbours Dornoch, shock winners of the trophy last season. But a stylish strike from Mark Nichol followed by a Gavin Bremner thunderbolt from distance in the closing quarter settled the contest in favour of the Caithness outfit.
Thurso built excellent foundations after battling against the elements to turn round at 2-2. Jamie MacKenzie's well-taken brace was countered by goals from Shaun Kerr and Gordon Morrison.
Both sides creditably contrived to make a decent game of what could easily have degenerated into a farce. The raging wind sweeping diagonally downfield made a lottery of any ball propelled above head height.
Thurso keeper Asa Sinclair learned by experience as his early clearances hoofed into the air crazily flew back towards him. Players taking set-pieces regularly had trouble with the ball being blown off its spot.
Thurso, cheered on by a busload of supporters, were just about full strength, with ex-Wick Academy wide man Martin MacGregor added to the squad. Their opponents missed the skilful Robbie Duncanson – now with Clach – and the suspended John Seaton but included new signings David Chapman and Gordon Morrison.
The early signs for Thurso were encouraging with Golspie keeper Alan Bokas racing out to make a first-minute block from Jamie MacKenzie as he latched on to Kevin Miller's long-range feed.
Three minutes later, a Bremner corner from the right was half-cleared to MacKenzie whose low drive eluded a packed box to settle in the left corner of the net.
Suitably stung, Golspie were almost level within four minutes when Dan MacPhail skipped inside before seeing his 20-yard effort beat Sinclair only to strike the outside of the right post.
Sinclair then did well to gather another MacPhail effort but was powerless to prevent Kerr's 17th-minute equaliser. Morrison's cross from the right caught the Thurso rearguard ball-watching and the unmarked former Clach man took full advantage with a simple finish.
The glut of early chances continued from the kick-off when Nichol was thwarted by a smart save from Bokas.
The very next move had Thurso back in front, with Nichol working his way free down the left and having his centre converted by Jamie MacKenzie's first-time strike.
Golspie's unsettling start was not improved by central defender Colin MacLeod's booking for a challenge on Nichol.
With Thurso's midfield increasingly on the back foot, the Sutherland side called most of the shots for the remainder of the half. This spell fully tested the mettle of the Vikings' defence, with little respite in the conditions.
A marvellous last-ditch intervention was required from Graeme Reid to prevent the unattended Kerr reaching MacPhail's driven cross into the Thurso penalty box after 25 minutes.
Two minutes later, it was all square again when Morrison was given time to turn on the penalty spot before giving Sinclair no chance with an accurate finish.
For all the subsequent pressure before the interval, there were only two real scares for the Vikings. Sinclair did well to keep out an effort from Kerr and then a mix-up between Sinclair and Phil Makhouli let in Chapman just outside the edge of the penalty box. The former Alness striker botched what was a clear opportunity to chip the keeper.
In between these attempts, the industrious Lee MacDougall had seen an inviting cross find no takers.
Having faced the storm, Thurso may have expected to take a firm grip of proceedings after the turnaround. It was not to be, with neither side having a compelling claim to supremacy in the third quarter.
A scrappy opening saw bookings for Miller, for a late challenge, and Golspie's Scott Wilson, for dissent.
The first opening came after 57 minutes when Jamie MacKenzie's feed ended with Des MacLeod's stinging volley just clearing the bar.
A minute later, Kerr's pace and trickery down the right led to a dangerous delivery which required a full-stretch header from the backtracking Miller.
MacDougall's follow-up from his own free kick on the hour mark almost caught out Bokas, who untidily scrambled it past his left post.
There was a major alert for the Vikings on 67 minutes when Kerr's near-post run made him first to reach Morrison's outswinging corner. He met it firmly but put just too much elevation on it, with the ball flashing a few inches over.
A minute later, Willie Inrig raced in to try and connect with Miller's looping cross. But just as its wind-created erratic flight deceived the defenders, it also defied Inrig's best efforts to get his effort net-bound.
Thurso were now in the ascendancy. This was marked by a decent long-ranger from MacDougall and a super diagonal assist by Nigel MacKenzie which required a brave block from Bokas to thwart MacLeod.
The pressure was dramatically interrupted on 69 minutes when slack defence left Chapman with a clear run-in. Sinclair narrowed the angle well and managed to parry Chapman's shot, with Reid on hand to complete the clearance.
Two minutes later, the Thurso support were on their a feet to acclaim Nichol's crucial strike. A neat lay-off from MacLeod saw Nichol sidestep a tackler before planting a firm 15-yard shot between the diving Bokas and his right-hand post.
It was Nichol's fifth goal in successive games and his 21st of the campaign.
Within a minute, Thurso had another glorious chance when Jamie MacKenzie broke clear. He opted to set up his brother Nigel, who dallied before shooting, enabling Bokas to get a hand to turn the ball past the post.
Thurso extended their lead with Bremner's 80th-minute contribution.
After breaking up a Golspie attack, he strode forward from just past the halfway line. With defenders backing off and no obvious pass on, Bremner let fly from 30 yards, with the ball blurring over Bokas to lodge in the postage-stamp corner of the net.
It was a goal worthy of any cup final and one which probably settled the Thurso skipper's selection as man of the match.
The contest was by no means over as Golspie summoned a furious late onslaught. After Jamie MacKenzie came desperately close to getting his hat-trick, Colin MacLeod and Darren Pullen had headed efforts scrambled off the line.
The final whistle confirmed Thurso's first cup triumph since their Port Services Cup victory in October 2004.
Manager Ross Sutherland was naturally delighted to land a trophy in his first season in charge.
He said: "The previous week against Invergordon, we missed chance after chance but we could have no complaints about the first 20 minutes on Saturday when we took two from two.
"It was tough going in the first half playing against the wind but I thought our guys defended really well.
"I thought we also settled better in playing with the conditions, whereas they tended to over-hit a lot of their final balls."
Acknowledging a couple of let-offs midway through the second half, he believed his side overall deserved to win.
Thurso: Sinclair, Makhouli, Miller, Reid, Bremner, Inrig, N. MacKenzie, J. MacKenzie, Nichol (MacGregor 86), MacLeod (Bain 73), MacDougall (Mackay Steven 83). Sub not used: Sutherland.
Golspie: Bokas, Gray, Pullen, Campbell, MacLeod, Sinclair, Morrison (McAllister 85), MacPhail (Doull 85), Kerr, Wilson (Sutherland 74), Chapman. Sub not used: Mackay.
Referee: G. Dearie.
n Thurso return to North Caledonian League action tomorrow with a home match versus Bunillidh Thistle. A win would put them level at the top with Golspie, though with a game more played.
Thurso boss Ross Sutherland acknowledges Golspie remain favourites to take the title but he wants to keep the pressure on them. All of the SWL Cup-winning squad are available, though Sutherland plans to make a few changes to the starting line-up.
Tomorrow's game at Sir George's Park is the only scheduled league fixture. It kicks off at 3pm.
Golspie travel to play Balintore in the last four of the Jock Mackay Memorial Cup, with Inverness City entertaining Alness United in the other semi.
Halkirk United had no game on Saturday after their scheduled league clash versus Balintore fell victim to a frostbound Recreation Park. United have no fixture tomorrow.
The only other match to go ahead last Saturday saw Bunillidh snatch a draw at home to Alness United with a last-minute strike from Robert MacDonald. Alness had led through a first half counter from Evan Murray
Published: 16 February, 2007
THE Vikings were thingy-a-hoop on Saturday after securing the SWL Cup with this hard-earned victory at a windswept Dudgeon Park, Brora.
Golspie had high hopes of succeeding neighbours Dornoch, shock winners of the trophy last season. But a stylish strike from Mark Nichol followed by a Gavin Bremner thunderbolt from distance in the closing quarter settled the contest in favour of the Caithness outfit.
Thurso built excellent foundations after battling against the elements to turn round at 2-2. Jamie MacKenzie's well-taken brace was countered by goals from Shaun Kerr and Gordon Morrison.
Both sides creditably contrived to make a decent game of what could easily have degenerated into a farce. The raging wind sweeping diagonally downfield made a lottery of any ball propelled above head height.
Thurso keeper Asa Sinclair learned by experience as his early clearances hoofed into the air crazily flew back towards him. Players taking set-pieces regularly had trouble with the ball being blown off its spot.
Thurso, cheered on by a busload of supporters, were just about full strength, with ex-Wick Academy wide man Martin MacGregor added to the squad. Their opponents missed the skilful Robbie Duncanson – now with Clach – and the suspended John Seaton but included new signings David Chapman and Gordon Morrison.
The early signs for Thurso were encouraging with Golspie keeper Alan Bokas racing out to make a first-minute block from Jamie MacKenzie as he latched on to Kevin Miller's long-range feed.
Three minutes later, a Bremner corner from the right was half-cleared to MacKenzie whose low drive eluded a packed box to settle in the left corner of the net.
Suitably stung, Golspie were almost level within four minutes when Dan MacPhail skipped inside before seeing his 20-yard effort beat Sinclair only to strike the outside of the right post.
Sinclair then did well to gather another MacPhail effort but was powerless to prevent Kerr's 17th-minute equaliser. Morrison's cross from the right caught the Thurso rearguard ball-watching and the unmarked former Clach man took full advantage with a simple finish.
The glut of early chances continued from the kick-off when Nichol was thwarted by a smart save from Bokas.
The very next move had Thurso back in front, with Nichol working his way free down the left and having his centre converted by Jamie MacKenzie's first-time strike.
Golspie's unsettling start was not improved by central defender Colin MacLeod's booking for a challenge on Nichol.
With Thurso's midfield increasingly on the back foot, the Sutherland side called most of the shots for the remainder of the half. This spell fully tested the mettle of the Vikings' defence, with little respite in the conditions.
A marvellous last-ditch intervention was required from Graeme Reid to prevent the unattended Kerr reaching MacPhail's driven cross into the Thurso penalty box after 25 minutes.
Two minutes later, it was all square again when Morrison was given time to turn on the penalty spot before giving Sinclair no chance with an accurate finish.
For all the subsequent pressure before the interval, there were only two real scares for the Vikings. Sinclair did well to keep out an effort from Kerr and then a mix-up between Sinclair and Phil Makhouli let in Chapman just outside the edge of the penalty box. The former Alness striker botched what was a clear opportunity to chip the keeper.
In between these attempts, the industrious Lee MacDougall had seen an inviting cross find no takers.
Having faced the storm, Thurso may have expected to take a firm grip of proceedings after the turnaround. It was not to be, with neither side having a compelling claim to supremacy in the third quarter.
A scrappy opening saw bookings for Miller, for a late challenge, and Golspie's Scott Wilson, for dissent.
The first opening came after 57 minutes when Jamie MacKenzie's feed ended with Des MacLeod's stinging volley just clearing the bar.
A minute later, Kerr's pace and trickery down the right led to a dangerous delivery which required a full-stretch header from the backtracking Miller.
MacDougall's follow-up from his own free kick on the hour mark almost caught out Bokas, who untidily scrambled it past his left post.
There was a major alert for the Vikings on 67 minutes when Kerr's near-post run made him first to reach Morrison's outswinging corner. He met it firmly but put just too much elevation on it, with the ball flashing a few inches over.
A minute later, Willie Inrig raced in to try and connect with Miller's looping cross. But just as its wind-created erratic flight deceived the defenders, it also defied Inrig's best efforts to get his effort net-bound.
Thurso were now in the ascendancy. This was marked by a decent long-ranger from MacDougall and a super diagonal assist by Nigel MacKenzie which required a brave block from Bokas to thwart MacLeod.
The pressure was dramatically interrupted on 69 minutes when slack defence left Chapman with a clear run-in. Sinclair narrowed the angle well and managed to parry Chapman's shot, with Reid on hand to complete the clearance.
Two minutes later, the Thurso support were on their a feet to acclaim Nichol's crucial strike. A neat lay-off from MacLeod saw Nichol sidestep a tackler before planting a firm 15-yard shot between the diving Bokas and his right-hand post.
It was Nichol's fifth goal in successive games and his 21st of the campaign.
Within a minute, Thurso had another glorious chance when Jamie MacKenzie broke clear. He opted to set up his brother Nigel, who dallied before shooting, enabling Bokas to get a hand to turn the ball past the post.
Thurso extended their lead with Bremner's 80th-minute contribution.
After breaking up a Golspie attack, he strode forward from just past the halfway line. With defenders backing off and no obvious pass on, Bremner let fly from 30 yards, with the ball blurring over Bokas to lodge in the postage-stamp corner of the net.
It was a goal worthy of any cup final and one which probably settled the Thurso skipper's selection as man of the match.
The contest was by no means over as Golspie summoned a furious late onslaught. After Jamie MacKenzie came desperately close to getting his hat-trick, Colin MacLeod and Darren Pullen had headed efforts scrambled off the line.
The final whistle confirmed Thurso's first cup triumph since their Port Services Cup victory in October 2004.
Manager Ross Sutherland was naturally delighted to land a trophy in his first season in charge.
He said: "The previous week against Invergordon, we missed chance after chance but we could have no complaints about the first 20 minutes on Saturday when we took two from two.
"It was tough going in the first half playing against the wind but I thought our guys defended really well.
"I thought we also settled better in playing with the conditions, whereas they tended to over-hit a lot of their final balls."
Acknowledging a couple of let-offs midway through the second half, he believed his side overall deserved to win.
Thurso: Sinclair, Makhouli, Miller, Reid, Bremner, Inrig, N. MacKenzie, J. MacKenzie, Nichol (MacGregor 86), MacLeod (Bain 73), MacDougall (Mackay Steven 83). Sub not used: Sutherland.
Golspie: Bokas, Gray, Pullen, Campbell, MacLeod, Sinclair, Morrison (McAllister 85), MacPhail (Doull 85), Kerr, Wilson (Sutherland 74), Chapman. Sub not used: Mackay.
Referee: G. Dearie.
n Thurso return to North Caledonian League action tomorrow with a home match versus Bunillidh Thistle. A win would put them level at the top with Golspie, though with a game more played.
Thurso boss Ross Sutherland acknowledges Golspie remain favourites to take the title but he wants to keep the pressure on them. All of the SWL Cup-winning squad are available, though Sutherland plans to make a few changes to the starting line-up.
Tomorrow's game at Sir George's Park is the only scheduled league fixture. It kicks off at 3pm.
Golspie travel to play Balintore in the last four of the Jock Mackay Memorial Cup, with Inverness City entertaining Alness United in the other semi.
Halkirk United had no game on Saturday after their scheduled league clash versus Balintore fell victim to a frostbound Recreation Park. United have no fixture tomorrow.
The only other match to go ahead last Saturday saw Bunillidh snatch a draw at home to Alness United with a last-minute strike from Robert MacDonald. Alness had led through a first half counter from Evan Murray