Post by Brian Mackay on Dec 16, 2008 13:09:07 GMT -5
Thurso 0 Golspie Sutherland 1 - report by Iain Grant
Golspie had a less-than-smooth passage before prevailing in Saturday’s SWL Cup quarter-final.
A first half penalty converted by John Mackay proved crucial as the Sutherland men progressed to a last four clash away to Alness United.
They had travelled mindful of their previous trip to Sir Georges Park when they went down 3-2 in the Port Services Cup.
The Vikings enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and an equal share of the chances on Saturday but were again left to rue their shortcomings in the finishing department.
Visiting keeper Angus Hutchinson was kept busy early on as Thurso’s pressure yielded four corners in the opening 10 minutes.
During this period, Hutchinson was pressed into emergency action to divert two well-struck efforts from Jamie MacKenzie.
Golspie proceeded to wrest the advantage for the next 15 minutes with Thurso keeper Asa Sinclair dashing out to deny recalled veteran Robbie MacDougall converting a glorious through-ball from Ken Whyte.
The game had settled into an even contest when the home side looked set to steal ahead on the half-hour mark.
Golspie defender Alan MacBean was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty box by Martin Bain whose resultant shot eluded Hutchinson only for Michael Dunnett to get back to effect a goal-line clearance.
Ref Graham John was the centre of attention two minutes later after Adam Sutherland floored MacKenzie with a two-footed scything tackle.
As the Thurso player got to his feet to remonstrate with the young full-back, the latter appeared to slap MacKenzie.
Mr John saw fit to merely caution Sutherland, a decision which did not go down well with the home support.
The incident raised the temperature of an already-charged tussle with MacKenzie soon after figuring in an angry spat with MacBean.
Golspie regularly menaced on the counter-attack and it was from one such foray that they won the penalty.
Stuart Sinclair barged into MacDougall as they challenged for a cross. Mackay took responsibility and slotted the ball low between Sinclair and the keeper’s left post.
Within three minutes, Golspie almost doubled their lead when Whyte’s shot crashed off the frame of the crossbar with Asa Sinclair beaten.
The early action of the second half included a stinging shot from Thurso’s Martin Sinclair, which flew just over, and a half-chance for MacDougall which he pulled wide.
On 57 minutes, clever play by Bain sent Martin Sinclair haring in on goal. He stepped Hutchinson only for the golden chance to disappear as a stumble forced the striker wide.
Golspie’s Colin MacLean then made a telling intervention to prevent Lee MacDougall from connecting with a teasing cross by Bain.
The visitors were still posing a goal threat with Asa Sinclair pulling off a fine stop from MacDougall and then recovering well to re-gather after spilling Tommy Campbell’s inswinging corner.
Greg Shearer made a promising debut, almost setting up Bain before seeing a flick just failing to clear the outrushing Hutchinson.
Thurso pressed hard in the closing stages with MacKenzie almost getting on the end of MacDougall’s assist on 74 minutes.
Four minutes from time, MacKenzie looked set to level after latching on to Andrew Cumming’s feed.
He slipped his marker before facing Hutchinson and dispatching a shot
which while well-enough struck was close enough for the keeper to hack clear with his feet.
The final opportunity fell to the visitors with Asa Sinclair doing well to block Shane Sutherland as the winger was set free on goal.
The early petulance fizzled out with Campbell the only other booking in the match.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid said: “I think we played better than we did when we beat Muir of Ord the previous week.
“I couldn’t fault us for effort or our fitness levels. We competed well and it was our finishing which has again let us down.”
MacDougall cannot make tomorrow’s MSIS North Caley League trip to Balintore.
Midfielder Willie Inrig is struggling with a groin injury he picked up on Saturday but Gavin Bremner is set to return to the squad.
Thurso – A. Sinclair, Cumming, Shearer, Steven, S. Sinclair, Inrig (Petrie 55), Bain, MacKenzie, M. Sinclair (Shearer 73), Forbes, MacDougall. Subs (unused) – Gray and Stewart.
Golspie -- Hutchison, A. Sutherland R. Thomson, MacLean (Taylor 83), MacBean, Mackay, Dunnett, Campbell. MacDougall, Whyte, S. Sutherland.
Ref – Mr G. John, Wick.
A David Manson goal was decisive as Alness United won 1-0 in Helmsdale against Bunillidh Thistle.
Muir of Ord Rovers now entertain Halkirk United after a 2-1 home success over Invergordon.
David Niven and Martin Callum struck either side of Chris Cooper’s counter for the visitors.
In Saturday’s only league match, two own goals helped Balintore consolidate fourth place with a 5-2 away win over Tain Thistle.
Golspie had a less-than-smooth passage before prevailing in Saturday’s SWL Cup quarter-final.
A first half penalty converted by John Mackay proved crucial as the Sutherland men progressed to a last four clash away to Alness United.
They had travelled mindful of their previous trip to Sir Georges Park when they went down 3-2 in the Port Services Cup.
The Vikings enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and an equal share of the chances on Saturday but were again left to rue their shortcomings in the finishing department.
Visiting keeper Angus Hutchinson was kept busy early on as Thurso’s pressure yielded four corners in the opening 10 minutes.
During this period, Hutchinson was pressed into emergency action to divert two well-struck efforts from Jamie MacKenzie.
Golspie proceeded to wrest the advantage for the next 15 minutes with Thurso keeper Asa Sinclair dashing out to deny recalled veteran Robbie MacDougall converting a glorious through-ball from Ken Whyte.
The game had settled into an even contest when the home side looked set to steal ahead on the half-hour mark.
Golspie defender Alan MacBean was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty box by Martin Bain whose resultant shot eluded Hutchinson only for Michael Dunnett to get back to effect a goal-line clearance.
Ref Graham John was the centre of attention two minutes later after Adam Sutherland floored MacKenzie with a two-footed scything tackle.
As the Thurso player got to his feet to remonstrate with the young full-back, the latter appeared to slap MacKenzie.
Mr John saw fit to merely caution Sutherland, a decision which did not go down well with the home support.
The incident raised the temperature of an already-charged tussle with MacKenzie soon after figuring in an angry spat with MacBean.
Golspie regularly menaced on the counter-attack and it was from one such foray that they won the penalty.
Stuart Sinclair barged into MacDougall as they challenged for a cross. Mackay took responsibility and slotted the ball low between Sinclair and the keeper’s left post.
Within three minutes, Golspie almost doubled their lead when Whyte’s shot crashed off the frame of the crossbar with Asa Sinclair beaten.
The early action of the second half included a stinging shot from Thurso’s Martin Sinclair, which flew just over, and a half-chance for MacDougall which he pulled wide.
On 57 minutes, clever play by Bain sent Martin Sinclair haring in on goal. He stepped Hutchinson only for the golden chance to disappear as a stumble forced the striker wide.
Golspie’s Colin MacLean then made a telling intervention to prevent Lee MacDougall from connecting with a teasing cross by Bain.
The visitors were still posing a goal threat with Asa Sinclair pulling off a fine stop from MacDougall and then recovering well to re-gather after spilling Tommy Campbell’s inswinging corner.
Greg Shearer made a promising debut, almost setting up Bain before seeing a flick just failing to clear the outrushing Hutchinson.
Thurso pressed hard in the closing stages with MacKenzie almost getting on the end of MacDougall’s assist on 74 minutes.
Four minutes from time, MacKenzie looked set to level after latching on to Andrew Cumming’s feed.
He slipped his marker before facing Hutchinson and dispatching a shot
which while well-enough struck was close enough for the keeper to hack clear with his feet.
The final opportunity fell to the visitors with Asa Sinclair doing well to block Shane Sutherland as the winger was set free on goal.
The early petulance fizzled out with Campbell the only other booking in the match.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid said: “I think we played better than we did when we beat Muir of Ord the previous week.
“I couldn’t fault us for effort or our fitness levels. We competed well and it was our finishing which has again let us down.”
MacDougall cannot make tomorrow’s MSIS North Caley League trip to Balintore.
Midfielder Willie Inrig is struggling with a groin injury he picked up on Saturday but Gavin Bremner is set to return to the squad.
Thurso – A. Sinclair, Cumming, Shearer, Steven, S. Sinclair, Inrig (Petrie 55), Bain, MacKenzie, M. Sinclair (Shearer 73), Forbes, MacDougall. Subs (unused) – Gray and Stewart.
Golspie -- Hutchison, A. Sutherland R. Thomson, MacLean (Taylor 83), MacBean, Mackay, Dunnett, Campbell. MacDougall, Whyte, S. Sutherland.
Ref – Mr G. John, Wick.
A David Manson goal was decisive as Alness United won 1-0 in Helmsdale against Bunillidh Thistle.
Muir of Ord Rovers now entertain Halkirk United after a 2-1 home success over Invergordon.
David Niven and Martin Callum struck either side of Chris Cooper’s counter for the visitors.
In Saturday’s only league match, two own goals helped Balintore consolidate fourth place with a 5-2 away win over Tain Thistle.