Post by Brian Mackay on Oct 28, 2008 19:39:24 GMT -5
Thurso 4 Tain Thistle 1 - report from Iain Grant
A whirlwind start helped the Vikings secure a decisive win over the MSIS North Caledonian League newcomers.
Playing with a near gale-force wind at their backs they raced to a three goal lead in the opening 18 minutes through Michael Petrie, Lee MacDougall and Martin Cumming.
But they could not add to the advantage before half-time and with the wind, if anything, strengthening after the break, a victory was by no means in the bag.
Tain struggled throughout to penetrate though their shoot-on-sight policy from distance in the second period caused some worrying moments for the home side.
Martin Sinclair’s well-taken fourth goal on 55 minutes settled the outcome though no-one could begrudge Tain’s late success – a lusty 25 yarder from Michael Brand.
Thurso went into the game with teenagers Stuart Sinclair and Grant Steven providing a new-look defensive bulwark while Martin Bain returned to the squad after a month out with an ankle injury.
Thistle, who went into their first campaign with only a handful of players with NCL experience, are starting to find their feet after a difficult opening.
They must have feared they would be at the end of a hiding on Saturday after the early goal rush.
Petrie opened Thurso’s account after glancing a header past keeper Barry Nimmons from Cumming’s cross.
Four minutes later, good work by Martin Sinclair on the left ended with his switch pass finding MacDougall on the edge of the 18 yard box. He stepped past an opponent before manufacturing a left-foot drive into the far corner of the net.
Tain rode their luck a couple of times before conceding a third when Cumming’s cross-cum-shot was deflected into the net.
The Vikings could not keep up the momentum as Thistle slowly worked their way into the game.
While the rain mercifully stayed off, the wind disrupted passing on the deck while anything above head-height became a lottery.
Gavin Bremner thought he had added to Thurso’s lead on 36 minutes but his firm header into the net was ruled out for offside.
Thistle drew some encouragement from a busy start to the second half but that was deflated by Martin Sinclair’s goal on 55 minutes.
An astute, first-time pass from Bremner gave MacDougall space and time wide on the right and his dinked through-ball invited Sinclair to slot the ball past the advancing Nimmons.
Tain had to wait until 61 minutes for their first serious attempt on goal when Darren Christie’s free-kick slid just wide.
Play was stopped shortly afterwards for treatment to home skipper Willie Inrig who was left groggy after being struck full on the face by a fierce, close-up volley.
Tain tried their luck again from distance with Thurso keeper Asa Sinclair unable to hold Scott Innes’s firmly struck, wind-assisted 40 yard free-kick.
The keeper palmed the ball wide but still in play and he was happy to see Tain sub Darren Goller unable to find the target with his follow-up.
The visitors showed an unsavoury side in the latter stages with both Inrig and Sean Stewart being forced off after being the victims of over-the-top tackles. Aaron Christie’s foul on Stewart was marked by a booking.
Tain’s Gordon Oman went close to getting a goal back on 75 minutes when his 25 yard drive scudded past Asa Sinclair and came back off the outside of the right post.
Bain made an energetic contribution after coming off the bench with some decent forays down the right flank.
One of his deliveries on 82 minutes broke off a defender to Petrie who would have got his second of the afternoon but for a fine reaction stop by Nimmons to send the ball behind.
Tain got one back five minutes form full-time when Brand’s rocket-shot left Asa Sinclair clutching air as it found the top left-hand corner of the net.
The game ended with a totally avoidable double booking.
Thurso sub Tony Miller was cautioned for kicking the ball away after he was adjudged offside and Bremner for his subsequent show of dissent.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid was happy enough with a win achieved in very testing conditions and one which lifts them two places in the league.
“We came out of the traps really well when I though we used our wide men really well,” he said. “We took our foot off the gas a bit after going three up but they never really bothered us. “The second half was a bit scrappy and it was really important for us to get the first goal after the break.”
The manager was pleased with how Stuart Sinclair and Steven combined at the back and was happy to see Cumming back in action. “Given the conditions they had to deal with. I was more than happy with the win. “It’s another step forward for us.”
Thurso have a free day tomorrow
Thurso – A. Sinclair, Stewart (Steven Sinclair 76), Shearer, Steven, Stuart Sinclair, Inrig (Miller 70), Petrie, Bremner, M. Sinclair, Cumming (Bain 66), MacDougall.
Tain – Nimmons, Cowie (Thain 76), A. Christie, Oman, Innes, Duff (Durrand 14), D. Christie, Farquhar, Brand, Mailley, Burry (Goller 40). Subs (unused) – Morrison and Bannatyne.
Ref – Mr B. Gunn.
A whirlwind start helped the Vikings secure a decisive win over the MSIS North Caledonian League newcomers.
Playing with a near gale-force wind at their backs they raced to a three goal lead in the opening 18 minutes through Michael Petrie, Lee MacDougall and Martin Cumming.
But they could not add to the advantage before half-time and with the wind, if anything, strengthening after the break, a victory was by no means in the bag.
Tain struggled throughout to penetrate though their shoot-on-sight policy from distance in the second period caused some worrying moments for the home side.
Martin Sinclair’s well-taken fourth goal on 55 minutes settled the outcome though no-one could begrudge Tain’s late success – a lusty 25 yarder from Michael Brand.
Thurso went into the game with teenagers Stuart Sinclair and Grant Steven providing a new-look defensive bulwark while Martin Bain returned to the squad after a month out with an ankle injury.
Thistle, who went into their first campaign with only a handful of players with NCL experience, are starting to find their feet after a difficult opening.
They must have feared they would be at the end of a hiding on Saturday after the early goal rush.
Petrie opened Thurso’s account after glancing a header past keeper Barry Nimmons from Cumming’s cross.
Four minutes later, good work by Martin Sinclair on the left ended with his switch pass finding MacDougall on the edge of the 18 yard box. He stepped past an opponent before manufacturing a left-foot drive into the far corner of the net.
Tain rode their luck a couple of times before conceding a third when Cumming’s cross-cum-shot was deflected into the net.
The Vikings could not keep up the momentum as Thistle slowly worked their way into the game.
While the rain mercifully stayed off, the wind disrupted passing on the deck while anything above head-height became a lottery.
Gavin Bremner thought he had added to Thurso’s lead on 36 minutes but his firm header into the net was ruled out for offside.
Thistle drew some encouragement from a busy start to the second half but that was deflated by Martin Sinclair’s goal on 55 minutes.
An astute, first-time pass from Bremner gave MacDougall space and time wide on the right and his dinked through-ball invited Sinclair to slot the ball past the advancing Nimmons.
Tain had to wait until 61 minutes for their first serious attempt on goal when Darren Christie’s free-kick slid just wide.
Play was stopped shortly afterwards for treatment to home skipper Willie Inrig who was left groggy after being struck full on the face by a fierce, close-up volley.
Tain tried their luck again from distance with Thurso keeper Asa Sinclair unable to hold Scott Innes’s firmly struck, wind-assisted 40 yard free-kick.
The keeper palmed the ball wide but still in play and he was happy to see Tain sub Darren Goller unable to find the target with his follow-up.
The visitors showed an unsavoury side in the latter stages with both Inrig and Sean Stewart being forced off after being the victims of over-the-top tackles. Aaron Christie’s foul on Stewart was marked by a booking.
Tain’s Gordon Oman went close to getting a goal back on 75 minutes when his 25 yard drive scudded past Asa Sinclair and came back off the outside of the right post.
Bain made an energetic contribution after coming off the bench with some decent forays down the right flank.
One of his deliveries on 82 minutes broke off a defender to Petrie who would have got his second of the afternoon but for a fine reaction stop by Nimmons to send the ball behind.
Tain got one back five minutes form full-time when Brand’s rocket-shot left Asa Sinclair clutching air as it found the top left-hand corner of the net.
The game ended with a totally avoidable double booking.
Thurso sub Tony Miller was cautioned for kicking the ball away after he was adjudged offside and Bremner for his subsequent show of dissent.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid was happy enough with a win achieved in very testing conditions and one which lifts them two places in the league.
“We came out of the traps really well when I though we used our wide men really well,” he said. “We took our foot off the gas a bit after going three up but they never really bothered us. “The second half was a bit scrappy and it was really important for us to get the first goal after the break.”
The manager was pleased with how Stuart Sinclair and Steven combined at the back and was happy to see Cumming back in action. “Given the conditions they had to deal with. I was more than happy with the win. “It’s another step forward for us.”
Thurso have a free day tomorrow
Thurso – A. Sinclair, Stewart (Steven Sinclair 76), Shearer, Steven, Stuart Sinclair, Inrig (Miller 70), Petrie, Bremner, M. Sinclair, Cumming (Bain 66), MacDougall.
Tain – Nimmons, Cowie (Thain 76), A. Christie, Oman, Innes, Duff (Durrand 14), D. Christie, Farquhar, Brand, Mailley, Burry (Goller 40). Subs (unused) – Morrison and Bannatyne.
Ref – Mr B. Gunn.