Post by Brian Mackay on Oct 8, 2008 5:41:01 GMT -5
Thurso 3 V Golspie 2 - report by Iain Grant
The Vikings came from behind to secure their first win in seven starts to knock Golspie out of the Port Services Cup.
A late winner from Wayne Monkman at the same time inflicted the visitors’ first reverse in the North Caley season.
The result was a remarkable turnaround from the sides’ meeting of just over a month before when Thurso were drubbed 6-0 in a league match in Castletown.
Passage through to the last four of the cup on the strength of a spirited and convincing performance provided a much-needed pick-me-up for the home camp.
They did not deserve to fall behind to the first of Ken Whyte’s brace for Golspie on 34 minutes. A Willie Inrig penalty – his fourth of the season – restored parity at the break.
Martin Sinclair, who formed a lively strike partnership with Monkman, shot Thurso in front midway through the second period only for Whyte to level within a minute of the restart.
A woeful defensive lapse let Monkman in bag what proved the clincher on 74 minutes.
The Kirkwall-based player’s energy and ingenuity helped restore a cutting edge to the Vikings’ play which has been notably absent in previous run-outs.
The midfield was bolstered by Michael Petrie’s re-appearance while keeper Asa Sinclair marked his return to his home team club with a top-notch display.
Thurso were quickly on the offensive and slack play by Golspie defender Alan MacBean presented Petrie with an early half-chance on the edge of the penalty box.
He was unable to lift the ball past keeper Neil Mackay who made a comfortable clutch.
Monkman and Andrew Bremner went on to have decent goalbound attempts blocked as Thurso forced a clutch of corners.
Golspie’s first real chance came on 13 minutes when Ross Thompson’s well-flighted cross deserved better than Donald Sutherland’s snatched header which did not trouble keeper Sinclair
Thurso were having the better of the exchanges and Lee MacDougall was next to have a crack at goal when Petrie’s cross was headed into his path.
His venomous drive eluded Neil Mackay before zipping past the outside of the keeper’s left upright.
Martin Sinclair was then inches away from connecting with Monkman’s tantalising cross. Sutherland and Michael Dunnett were at the heart of Golspie’s best plays with their greatest menace being posed by long-range counters.
On 23 minutes, Sutherland’s neat footwork on a run down the right ended with a cross which required a lunging interception from home defender Shaun Stewart to prevent either Aaron Smith or Whyte converting.
Asa Sinclair showed bravery and skill in rising to paw to safety the resultant inswinging corner while under immense pressure.
Stewart was prominent at the other end on 32 minutes when his deflected cross almost gave Monkman a clear run on goal.
The opener stemmed from a bit of wing trickery from Smith who wriggled past Shaun Forbes down the right bye-line before picking out the run of Whyte who slotted home from six yards.
Buoyed by the goal, Golspie threatened to take control but their confidence was knocked when they conceded the equaliser.
A surging infield run from Martin Sinclair off the right touchline was cut short by Stuart Thomson’s scything challenge.
Ref Willie Sinclair checked with assistant John Munro about where the foul was committed before pointing to the spot.
Inrig duly side-footed the ball to his right as Neil Mackay flung himself the other way.
Golspie almost reclaimed the lead in injury time when Sutherland made a beeline for goal and had a powerful low shot clawed to safety by Asa Sinclair.
After the break, the keeper and his defence coped well with early concerted pressure exerted through a stream of high and low deliveries sent into the goalmouth from either flank.
This spell featured a crucial tackle made by Andrew Bremner to prevent Whyte from getting a clear run on goal.
Thurso regained their earlier upper hand in the midfield battle and on 52 minutes failed to exploit a glorious opportunity.
Monkman released Martin Sinclair in the final third when Thurso had a clear three-on-two advantage. The John O’Groats youngster fatallly dallied, giving the visitors the time they needed to get players back to defuse the danger.
On the hour-mark, an opportunist effort from Whyte from a tight angle demanded sharp reflexes from Asa Sinclair.
Golspie’s frustration at failing to dominate as they did on their previous trip north was reflected in bookings for Whyte and MacBean for dissent.
Their mood took a further dip on 67 minutes when Sinclair anticipated Monkman’s back head-flick to dash into the box and coolly slip the ball wide of Neil Mackay.
Golspie’s response was immediate as hesitancy in the visiting rearguard was ruthlessly exploited as MacBean’s cross was swept in by Whyte.
The ubiquitous Whyte almost celebrated a hat-trick a minute later when his swerving, angled shot from Tommy Campbell’s assist flew inches wide of the left upright.
The game was now in the balance as both sides pushed forward in search of a winner.
On 70 minutes, Lee MacDougall broke free from his marker and vainly sought to play in Monkman when a dig at goal could well have paid dividends.
Two minutes later, Campbell did the spadework for Whyte who volleyed wide from close in.
Thurso’s winner had Golspie’s Thomson covering his face his shame as the big central defender got caught in possession in his penalty box.
The ball could not have fallen more kindly for Monkman and the Ocadian held his nerve to hook the ball past Neil Mackay from eight yards.
Golspie responded with a lively spell when John Mackay produced another fine stop from Asa Sinclair and Whyte and Sutherland both went close.
Their effort fizzled out with injury-time dominated by indiscipline which resulted in cautions for Thomson, for dissent, and Smith, for a late challenge.
Thurso sub James Murray was also yellow-carded for a foul on MacBean with the latter completing the crime count when he was dismissed after a reckless challenge on Martin Sinclair earned him a second booking.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid was delighted with the manner of his first win in charge of the side.
“I thought it was a really good performance,” he said. “There were lots of positives we can take from it.”
“We started the game well and could have been a couple up before they scored.
“Everyone played a part though Martin and Wayne, in particular, caused them problems all day – they couldn’t really handle them.”
Tomorrow, Thurso will be gunning for their first MSIS North Caley League win when they entertain Invergordon.
Murray Coghill misses out as he is on Tartan Army duty at Hampden while Forbes is back for a stint offshore.
Midfielder Gavin Bremer returns for the match, which has a 1 p.m. kick-off.
Thurso – A. Sinclair, Stewart, Shearer, Forbes (Tait 84), Bremner, Inrig, Coghill, Petrie, Monkman, M. Sinclair, MacDougall (Murray 86). Sub (unused) – Miller.
Golspie – N. Mackay, MacBean, Thompson, MacLean, Thomson, J. Mackay, Smith, Campbell, Whyte, Sutherland (Lockhart 86), Dunnett. Subs (unused) – Davidson and Murray.
Ref – Mr W. Sinclair, Canisbay.
The Vikings came from behind to secure their first win in seven starts to knock Golspie out of the Port Services Cup.
A late winner from Wayne Monkman at the same time inflicted the visitors’ first reverse in the North Caley season.
The result was a remarkable turnaround from the sides’ meeting of just over a month before when Thurso were drubbed 6-0 in a league match in Castletown.
Passage through to the last four of the cup on the strength of a spirited and convincing performance provided a much-needed pick-me-up for the home camp.
They did not deserve to fall behind to the first of Ken Whyte’s brace for Golspie on 34 minutes. A Willie Inrig penalty – his fourth of the season – restored parity at the break.
Martin Sinclair, who formed a lively strike partnership with Monkman, shot Thurso in front midway through the second period only for Whyte to level within a minute of the restart.
A woeful defensive lapse let Monkman in bag what proved the clincher on 74 minutes.
The Kirkwall-based player’s energy and ingenuity helped restore a cutting edge to the Vikings’ play which has been notably absent in previous run-outs.
The midfield was bolstered by Michael Petrie’s re-appearance while keeper Asa Sinclair marked his return to his home team club with a top-notch display.
Thurso were quickly on the offensive and slack play by Golspie defender Alan MacBean presented Petrie with an early half-chance on the edge of the penalty box.
He was unable to lift the ball past keeper Neil Mackay who made a comfortable clutch.
Monkman and Andrew Bremner went on to have decent goalbound attempts blocked as Thurso forced a clutch of corners.
Golspie’s first real chance came on 13 minutes when Ross Thompson’s well-flighted cross deserved better than Donald Sutherland’s snatched header which did not trouble keeper Sinclair
Thurso were having the better of the exchanges and Lee MacDougall was next to have a crack at goal when Petrie’s cross was headed into his path.
His venomous drive eluded Neil Mackay before zipping past the outside of the keeper’s left upright.
Martin Sinclair was then inches away from connecting with Monkman’s tantalising cross. Sutherland and Michael Dunnett were at the heart of Golspie’s best plays with their greatest menace being posed by long-range counters.
On 23 minutes, Sutherland’s neat footwork on a run down the right ended with a cross which required a lunging interception from home defender Shaun Stewart to prevent either Aaron Smith or Whyte converting.
Asa Sinclair showed bravery and skill in rising to paw to safety the resultant inswinging corner while under immense pressure.
Stewart was prominent at the other end on 32 minutes when his deflected cross almost gave Monkman a clear run on goal.
The opener stemmed from a bit of wing trickery from Smith who wriggled past Shaun Forbes down the right bye-line before picking out the run of Whyte who slotted home from six yards.
Buoyed by the goal, Golspie threatened to take control but their confidence was knocked when they conceded the equaliser.
A surging infield run from Martin Sinclair off the right touchline was cut short by Stuart Thomson’s scything challenge.
Ref Willie Sinclair checked with assistant John Munro about where the foul was committed before pointing to the spot.
Inrig duly side-footed the ball to his right as Neil Mackay flung himself the other way.
Golspie almost reclaimed the lead in injury time when Sutherland made a beeline for goal and had a powerful low shot clawed to safety by Asa Sinclair.
After the break, the keeper and his defence coped well with early concerted pressure exerted through a stream of high and low deliveries sent into the goalmouth from either flank.
This spell featured a crucial tackle made by Andrew Bremner to prevent Whyte from getting a clear run on goal.
Thurso regained their earlier upper hand in the midfield battle and on 52 minutes failed to exploit a glorious opportunity.
Monkman released Martin Sinclair in the final third when Thurso had a clear three-on-two advantage. The John O’Groats youngster fatallly dallied, giving the visitors the time they needed to get players back to defuse the danger.
On the hour-mark, an opportunist effort from Whyte from a tight angle demanded sharp reflexes from Asa Sinclair.
Golspie’s frustration at failing to dominate as they did on their previous trip north was reflected in bookings for Whyte and MacBean for dissent.
Their mood took a further dip on 67 minutes when Sinclair anticipated Monkman’s back head-flick to dash into the box and coolly slip the ball wide of Neil Mackay.
Golspie’s response was immediate as hesitancy in the visiting rearguard was ruthlessly exploited as MacBean’s cross was swept in by Whyte.
The ubiquitous Whyte almost celebrated a hat-trick a minute later when his swerving, angled shot from Tommy Campbell’s assist flew inches wide of the left upright.
The game was now in the balance as both sides pushed forward in search of a winner.
On 70 minutes, Lee MacDougall broke free from his marker and vainly sought to play in Monkman when a dig at goal could well have paid dividends.
Two minutes later, Campbell did the spadework for Whyte who volleyed wide from close in.
Thurso’s winner had Golspie’s Thomson covering his face his shame as the big central defender got caught in possession in his penalty box.
The ball could not have fallen more kindly for Monkman and the Ocadian held his nerve to hook the ball past Neil Mackay from eight yards.
Golspie responded with a lively spell when John Mackay produced another fine stop from Asa Sinclair and Whyte and Sutherland both went close.
Their effort fizzled out with injury-time dominated by indiscipline which resulted in cautions for Thomson, for dissent, and Smith, for a late challenge.
Thurso sub James Murray was also yellow-carded for a foul on MacBean with the latter completing the crime count when he was dismissed after a reckless challenge on Martin Sinclair earned him a second booking.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid was delighted with the manner of his first win in charge of the side.
“I thought it was a really good performance,” he said. “There were lots of positives we can take from it.”
“We started the game well and could have been a couple up before they scored.
“Everyone played a part though Martin and Wayne, in particular, caused them problems all day – they couldn’t really handle them.”
Tomorrow, Thurso will be gunning for their first MSIS North Caley League win when they entertain Invergordon.
Murray Coghill misses out as he is on Tartan Army duty at Hampden while Forbes is back for a stint offshore.
Midfielder Gavin Bremer returns for the match, which has a 1 p.m. kick-off.
Thurso – A. Sinclair, Stewart, Shearer, Forbes (Tait 84), Bremner, Inrig, Coghill, Petrie, Monkman, M. Sinclair, MacDougall (Murray 86). Sub (unused) – Miller.
Golspie – N. Mackay, MacBean, Thompson, MacLean, Thomson, J. Mackay, Smith, Campbell, Whyte, Sutherland (Lockhart 86), Dunnett. Subs (unused) – Davidson and Murray.
Ref – Mr W. Sinclair, Canisbay.