Post by Brian Mackay on Jul 21, 2009 13:03:41 GMT -5
Thurso 2 Brora Rangers 0 - report by Iain Grant
North Caley League side Thurso caused an upset on Saturday when they defeated Brora Rangers 2-0 in a friendly.
First half goals from Jamie MacKenzie and Lee MacDougall proved decisive in the match at Sir Georges Park, Thurso.
Played as part of the Vikings’ belated 10TH anniversary celebrations, it proved a useful workout for both sides before their respective league campaigns.
The home side capped a sparky opening when they went ahead on 17 minutes.
Nigel MacKenzie created the danger with an incisive probe and feed to Martin Sinclair. His touch-on invited Jamie MacKenzie to shoot and his 25 yarder flew high and wide of keeper Michael MacCallum.
Brora enjoyed a purple patch in the second quarter when they were very unlucky not to draw level.
Wick-based Greg Shearer had a netbound effort blocked before having a run-in thwarted by a smother save from Michael Gray.
Jamie Mackay also went close with two close-in efforts while Mark McKernie’s deflected shot from a corner was cleared off the line by MacDougall.
Thurso went two up on 42 minutes when MacCallum’s parry of a Nichol shot from the edge of the box was turned in by MacDougall.
MacCallum was fully stretched to prevent first Nichol and then Martin Sinclair widening the deficit before the interval.
MacKay should have scored only to miss the target when sent free on goal shortly after the resumption.
Jamie MacKenzie then marred an impressive display when he volleyed wide of an open goal from an inch-perfect MacDougall free-kick.
An increasingly scrappy affair was livened up by an eyecatching display of skill along the touchline by Thurso’s 14-year-old sub Ryan Begg.
He was one of three brothers on the pitch with Mark playing for Thurso and Scott for Brora.
Brora’s new signing John Mackay forced a smart double save from Gray late on.
The keeper also foiled Andrew Neill and Jason Gunn as the fitter-looking visitors finished the game on top.
After the match, Vikings manager Stevie Reid presented the individual trophies from last season.
MacDougall was the players’ player-of-the-year while Andy Cumming who was playing for Brora on Saturday -- picked up the young player-of-the-year trophy. The top scorer award went to Martin Sinclair.
An under-nine penalty shoot-out competition held at half-time was won by Jamie Ross, of Pentland Boys Club.
Thurso – Gray, Munro, Bell , S. Sinclair, Steven, Petrie, N, MacKenzie, J. MacKenzie, Nichol. M. Sinclair, MacDougall. Subs (all used) – Stewart, M. Begg, R. Begg, McLean and Murray.
Brora – M. MacCallum, S. MacCallum, John Mackay, McKernie, MacAngus, Murray, Neill, Begg, Jamie Mackay, MacDonald, Shearer. Subs (all used) – McCormack, Heaeth, Gunn, Cameron and Cumming.
Ref – Mr B. Gunn, Thurso.
North Caley League side Thurso caused an upset on Saturday when they defeated Brora Rangers 2-0 in a friendly.
First half goals from Jamie MacKenzie and Lee MacDougall proved decisive in the match at Sir Georges Park, Thurso.
Played as part of the Vikings’ belated 10TH anniversary celebrations, it proved a useful workout for both sides before their respective league campaigns.
The home side capped a sparky opening when they went ahead on 17 minutes.
Nigel MacKenzie created the danger with an incisive probe and feed to Martin Sinclair. His touch-on invited Jamie MacKenzie to shoot and his 25 yarder flew high and wide of keeper Michael MacCallum.
Brora enjoyed a purple patch in the second quarter when they were very unlucky not to draw level.
Wick-based Greg Shearer had a netbound effort blocked before having a run-in thwarted by a smother save from Michael Gray.
Jamie Mackay also went close with two close-in efforts while Mark McKernie’s deflected shot from a corner was cleared off the line by MacDougall.
Thurso went two up on 42 minutes when MacCallum’s parry of a Nichol shot from the edge of the box was turned in by MacDougall.
MacCallum was fully stretched to prevent first Nichol and then Martin Sinclair widening the deficit before the interval.
MacKay should have scored only to miss the target when sent free on goal shortly after the resumption.
Jamie MacKenzie then marred an impressive display when he volleyed wide of an open goal from an inch-perfect MacDougall free-kick.
An increasingly scrappy affair was livened up by an eyecatching display of skill along the touchline by Thurso’s 14-year-old sub Ryan Begg.
He was one of three brothers on the pitch with Mark playing for Thurso and Scott for Brora.
Brora’s new signing John Mackay forced a smart double save from Gray late on.
The keeper also foiled Andrew Neill and Jason Gunn as the fitter-looking visitors finished the game on top.
After the match, Vikings manager Stevie Reid presented the individual trophies from last season.
MacDougall was the players’ player-of-the-year while Andy Cumming who was playing for Brora on Saturday -- picked up the young player-of-the-year trophy. The top scorer award went to Martin Sinclair.
An under-nine penalty shoot-out competition held at half-time was won by Jamie Ross, of Pentland Boys Club.
Thurso – Gray, Munro, Bell , S. Sinclair, Steven, Petrie, N, MacKenzie, J. MacKenzie, Nichol. M. Sinclair, MacDougall. Subs (all used) – Stewart, M. Begg, R. Begg, McLean and Murray.
Brora – M. MacCallum, S. MacCallum, John Mackay, McKernie, MacAngus, Murray, Neill, Begg, Jamie Mackay, MacDonald, Shearer. Subs (all used) – McCormack, Heaeth, Gunn, Cameron and Cumming.
Ref – Mr B. Gunn, Thurso.