Post by Brian Mackay on Sept 10, 2008 10:07:26 GMT -5
Muir of Ord Rovers 4 Thurso 2 - by Iain Grant
The Vikings have still to get off the mark after three MSIS North Caley League outings.
While it leaves them anchored at the foot of the table, they can draw encouragement from their first foray south of the Ord on Saturday.
After twice coming from behind thanks to two less-than-clearcut penalties, they wrested control from the home side and went in at half-time with justified ambitions of securing at least a point.
But they faded badly after falling behind just after the hour-mark and Rovers sealed victory with a late fourth goal.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid made four changes to the side which started the previous week’s stinging 6-0 reverse to Golspie.
Andrew Bremner was moved into the centre of defence; Gavin Bremner shifted forward into his familiar central midfield beat; while James Murray was supported up front by veteran Willie Steven.
Wick teenager Andrew Cumming came in to combine with Martin Bain to provide the width in the 4-4-2 line-up.
Once again, an early goal conceded did nothing for the fragile morale.
Ian Wilson’s probing pass found Ewan Dance who survived an offside appeal to home in unimpeded on keeper Michael Gray.
Gray parried the striker’s attempt on goal but Kenny Lyall’s follow-up from six yards crossed the line despite a desperate attempt to hook it clear by Gary Coghill.
Muir continued to menace down both flanks though their rearguard throughout appeared vulnerable to counter-attacks.
Thurso almost levelled after 13 minutes when Bain’s deep cross from the left induced a full-fledged volley from Cumming which home keeper Ian Bartlett was relieved to see whistle just past his far post.
Muir were impressing as the more purposeful outfit and Gray was again tested on 16 minutes when he got down well to block a powerful strike from Lyall.
Thurso were manufacturing some good spells of possession – a crucial area where they failed miserably the previous week.
James Murray worked hard up front to create space from little usable ammunition and on 27 minutes was just crowded out after a fine run took him into the heart of the penalty box.
Several minutes later, his side – somewhat fortuitously – found themselves on terms. Bain created the danger as he attempted to pick out Steven after a piercing run down the inside left channel.
The pas was deflected skywards and as Steven shaped for a crack at goal, the ball bounced off an arm of central defender Kevin Lewis.
The ensuing spot-kick succeeded by the finest of margins as Bartlett’s right fingertips turned Willie Inrig’s attempt in off the right post.
The hoary adage about a side being most exposed in the immediate aftermath to scoring came true when Thurso fell behind within a minute of the restart.
The overlapping Martin Callum was given time and space to swing in a cross from the right which was converted by a superbly timed volley from Paul Gair.
Thurso responded well and Murray miscued after being presented with a decent chance after Bain headed on a free-kick from Gavin Bremner after 34 minutes.
Three minutes later, the visitors were awarded their second penalty of the afternoon when Murray was baulked as he shaped to shoot on the edge of the box.
Inrig this time sent Bartlett the wrong way.
The Vikings could have drawn ahead on 39 minutes had Bain shown more composure after he skipped past Callum after racing on to Murray’s assist. Bain’s angled attempt sailed high over.
Muir committed a rash of niggly fouls with ref Mark Dalton perhaps being over-indulgent in leaving it until the opening minute of the second half to make Gair his first booking for upending Murray.
The home side looked the more likely to score as the game wore on with Steven MacDonald going desperately close with a crafty chip-shot which slid inches past Gray’s left post.
Much of Muir’s threat came from the elusive Lyall with his sparkling dribbles and clever prompts.
One through-ball to MacDonald after 57 minutes deserved better than the latter’s weak shot which ran through harmlessly to Gray.
Thurso momentarily thought they were in clover after 59 minutes when Bain played Willie Steven in but the move was cut short by a marginal offside flag.
Two minutes later, Muir went ahead for a third time.
A poor kick-out from Gray should not have been fatal had Andrew Bremner and Grant Steven not dithered on who should deal with the loose ball.
Kevin MacAllister did not stand on ceremony, stealing possession before driving into the box and dispatching a shot wide of the keeper.
Thurso were seldom out of their half after this setback as the home side pressed to make the game safe.
On 65 minutes, Gray pulled off a marvellous save to keep out Wilson’s header from Lyall’s slide-rule cross.
Lewis became the second booking of the game shortly afterwards for a late challenge on Willie Steven.
Thurso’s only chance of the second period came when Gavin Bremner’ feed to Cumming ended with Willie Steven not being able to get enough power on a header to trouble Bartlett.
The killer goal came 10 minutes from time when slack marking at a corner gave Dance the unmissable chance to convert MacAllister’s corner with a powerful downward header.
Sub Michael Petrie went close with a snap-shot two minutes from time which was inches wide of the target.
The last chance came at the other end deep in stoppage time when Dance set up Lyall who marred an otherwise lively display with an ugly sclaff over. Coghill shortly before was yellow-carded for a block on Lyall.
Manager Reid was disappointed to lose but heartened by a much improved display.
He said: “I felt if we had managed to get our noses in front, we could have kicked on from there and held out for the win.
“I thought we were unlucky not to take something from the game.”
He is looking for continued improvement in tomorrow’s home match versus Balintore.
Keeper Michael Gray is unavailable with Lee Allan poised to return between the sticks.
Striker Des MacLeod is back and Lee MacDougall has signed up for another season but James Murray is doubtful with a knock he picked up on Saturday.
Michael Petrie is on holiday and will miss the next three games while fellow midfielder Murray Coghill is struggling to shake off a heavy cold.
The game might not be able to go ahead at Sir Georges Park as the pitch has still to recover from the pounding the goalmouths took from the recent Race for Life charity event. If it is not fit, the game could be switched to Castletown. It has a 1 p.m. kick-off to accommodate the visitors.
Muir of Ord -- Bartlett, Sutherland, Callum, MacMillan, Lewis (C. Mackay 77), Gair (L. Mackay 78), Wilson, MacAllister, Dance, MacDonald (Geegan 84), Lyall.
Thurso – Gray, G. Coghill, Shearer, A. Bremner, G. Steven, G. Bremner, Inrig (Petrie 69), Bain (Sinclair 79), Murray (Cook 64), W. Steven, Cumming.
Ref – Mr M. Dalton, Nairn.
The Vikings have still to get off the mark after three MSIS North Caley League outings.
While it leaves them anchored at the foot of the table, they can draw encouragement from their first foray south of the Ord on Saturday.
After twice coming from behind thanks to two less-than-clearcut penalties, they wrested control from the home side and went in at half-time with justified ambitions of securing at least a point.
But they faded badly after falling behind just after the hour-mark and Rovers sealed victory with a late fourth goal.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid made four changes to the side which started the previous week’s stinging 6-0 reverse to Golspie.
Andrew Bremner was moved into the centre of defence; Gavin Bremner shifted forward into his familiar central midfield beat; while James Murray was supported up front by veteran Willie Steven.
Wick teenager Andrew Cumming came in to combine with Martin Bain to provide the width in the 4-4-2 line-up.
Once again, an early goal conceded did nothing for the fragile morale.
Ian Wilson’s probing pass found Ewan Dance who survived an offside appeal to home in unimpeded on keeper Michael Gray.
Gray parried the striker’s attempt on goal but Kenny Lyall’s follow-up from six yards crossed the line despite a desperate attempt to hook it clear by Gary Coghill.
Muir continued to menace down both flanks though their rearguard throughout appeared vulnerable to counter-attacks.
Thurso almost levelled after 13 minutes when Bain’s deep cross from the left induced a full-fledged volley from Cumming which home keeper Ian Bartlett was relieved to see whistle just past his far post.
Muir were impressing as the more purposeful outfit and Gray was again tested on 16 minutes when he got down well to block a powerful strike from Lyall.
Thurso were manufacturing some good spells of possession – a crucial area where they failed miserably the previous week.
James Murray worked hard up front to create space from little usable ammunition and on 27 minutes was just crowded out after a fine run took him into the heart of the penalty box.
Several minutes later, his side – somewhat fortuitously – found themselves on terms. Bain created the danger as he attempted to pick out Steven after a piercing run down the inside left channel.
The pas was deflected skywards and as Steven shaped for a crack at goal, the ball bounced off an arm of central defender Kevin Lewis.
The ensuing spot-kick succeeded by the finest of margins as Bartlett’s right fingertips turned Willie Inrig’s attempt in off the right post.
The hoary adage about a side being most exposed in the immediate aftermath to scoring came true when Thurso fell behind within a minute of the restart.
The overlapping Martin Callum was given time and space to swing in a cross from the right which was converted by a superbly timed volley from Paul Gair.
Thurso responded well and Murray miscued after being presented with a decent chance after Bain headed on a free-kick from Gavin Bremner after 34 minutes.
Three minutes later, the visitors were awarded their second penalty of the afternoon when Murray was baulked as he shaped to shoot on the edge of the box.
Inrig this time sent Bartlett the wrong way.
The Vikings could have drawn ahead on 39 minutes had Bain shown more composure after he skipped past Callum after racing on to Murray’s assist. Bain’s angled attempt sailed high over.
Muir committed a rash of niggly fouls with ref Mark Dalton perhaps being over-indulgent in leaving it until the opening minute of the second half to make Gair his first booking for upending Murray.
The home side looked the more likely to score as the game wore on with Steven MacDonald going desperately close with a crafty chip-shot which slid inches past Gray’s left post.
Much of Muir’s threat came from the elusive Lyall with his sparkling dribbles and clever prompts.
One through-ball to MacDonald after 57 minutes deserved better than the latter’s weak shot which ran through harmlessly to Gray.
Thurso momentarily thought they were in clover after 59 minutes when Bain played Willie Steven in but the move was cut short by a marginal offside flag.
Two minutes later, Muir went ahead for a third time.
A poor kick-out from Gray should not have been fatal had Andrew Bremner and Grant Steven not dithered on who should deal with the loose ball.
Kevin MacAllister did not stand on ceremony, stealing possession before driving into the box and dispatching a shot wide of the keeper.
Thurso were seldom out of their half after this setback as the home side pressed to make the game safe.
On 65 minutes, Gray pulled off a marvellous save to keep out Wilson’s header from Lyall’s slide-rule cross.
Lewis became the second booking of the game shortly afterwards for a late challenge on Willie Steven.
Thurso’s only chance of the second period came when Gavin Bremner’ feed to Cumming ended with Willie Steven not being able to get enough power on a header to trouble Bartlett.
The killer goal came 10 minutes from time when slack marking at a corner gave Dance the unmissable chance to convert MacAllister’s corner with a powerful downward header.
Sub Michael Petrie went close with a snap-shot two minutes from time which was inches wide of the target.
The last chance came at the other end deep in stoppage time when Dance set up Lyall who marred an otherwise lively display with an ugly sclaff over. Coghill shortly before was yellow-carded for a block on Lyall.
Manager Reid was disappointed to lose but heartened by a much improved display.
He said: “I felt if we had managed to get our noses in front, we could have kicked on from there and held out for the win.
“I thought we were unlucky not to take something from the game.”
He is looking for continued improvement in tomorrow’s home match versus Balintore.
Keeper Michael Gray is unavailable with Lee Allan poised to return between the sticks.
Striker Des MacLeod is back and Lee MacDougall has signed up for another season but James Murray is doubtful with a knock he picked up on Saturday.
Michael Petrie is on holiday and will miss the next three games while fellow midfielder Murray Coghill is struggling to shake off a heavy cold.
The game might not be able to go ahead at Sir Georges Park as the pitch has still to recover from the pounding the goalmouths took from the recent Race for Life charity event. If it is not fit, the game could be switched to Castletown. It has a 1 p.m. kick-off to accommodate the visitors.
Muir of Ord -- Bartlett, Sutherland, Callum, MacMillan, Lewis (C. Mackay 77), Gair (L. Mackay 78), Wilson, MacAllister, Dance, MacDonald (Geegan 84), Lyall.
Thurso – Gray, G. Coghill, Shearer, A. Bremner, G. Steven, G. Bremner, Inrig (Petrie 69), Bain (Sinclair 79), Murray (Cook 64), W. Steven, Cumming.
Ref – Mr M. Dalton, Nairn.