Post by Brian Mackay on Sept 2, 2009 15:43:35 GMT -5
Thurso 4 V Fort William 1 - report by Iain Grant
The Vikings on Saturday were hard-put to get the better of a spirited young Lochaber side. The visitors took full advantage of playing with a raging wind behind them to deservedly take a 32nd minute lead.
Thurso, who had survived several close calls beforehand, equalised before the interval with just about their first coherent attack. While the home side thereafter had a stranglehold on possession and territory, it took them until 18 minutes from time to go in front.
The dismissal of Fort’s goalscorer Sean MacDonald shortly afterwards for a two-footed lunge on Mark Nichol heralded his side’s freefall. Thurso sealed the PSG North Caley League contest with two further goals from a glut of late opportunities.
Fort’s largely teenage squad provides hope for the club’s embattled Highland League side. Judging by Saturday, the exuberance, skill and nous on show could result in quick promotion for a number of them.
They certainly showed no fear early on with a brisk opening nurturing a growing confidence in their ability to get a result. On six minutes, MacDonald’s long-range free-kick picked out the blindside run of Lewis Corbett who shot just wide.
The home side went closer when Martin Sutherland’s prompt to Mark Nichol ending with the latter’s angled shot eluding the grasp of Ryan Hunter but brushing past the outside of the keeper’s left post. Thurso looked out of sorts with passes regularly going astray and intentions misread.
On 18 minutes, central defender Grant Steven’s loose pass across the edge of the penalty box gave Iain MacLellan a clear view of goal only for him to drag his shot wide. A minute later, the youngster was the beneficiary of a miskick by home keeper Asa Sinclair who was grateful to be able to field MacLellan’s weak attempt on goal.
Soon after, Gary MacGregor made it a hat-trick of free gifts when he conceded possession to give John Sweeney an unobstructed run-in. His final shot was well enough struck and demanded an acrobatic leap and full-length tip-over from Asa Sinclair.
Fort’s MacDonald had already tested Sinclair with an inswinging free-kick before he put the visitors in front with an opportunist long-range lob.
The goal piqued Thurso and applied a spell of pressure during which Lee MacDougall was unable to convert two half-chances before the 39th minute equaliser.
The quality of the sweeping move which led up to the goal was quite out of keeping with anything that had gone before.
Nichol’s measured pass sent Nigel MacKenzie racing down the wide right channel and his low centre was turned in by Martin Sinclair at the near post. The hosts looked more comfortable in the 3-5-2 line-up which they adopted for the second half.
While they took control of the midfield, it was Fort who came closest to taking the lead on 55 minutes when David Forbes found himself unmarked near the penalty spot.
The Vikings were again grateful to Asa Sinclair for his reaction block of Forbes’s fiercely struck shot. It was to mark the end of the visitors’ goal threat as they retrenched in defence to try and hold out for a point.
MacDougall struck wildly over from prime position and Andrew Bremner went close with a header before Nichol put Thurso ahead.
MacDougall’s corner from the right was not properly cleared and the striker pivoted before rifling a shot into the roof of the net.
Thurso now looked to kill off their opponents with Michael Petrie and MacDougall cutting out an opening for Nichol who was foiled by a smother save from Hunter.
MacDonald’s red-carding further hit the Fort side whose energy reserves were already running low.
Five minutes from time, Mackenzie’s free-kick was touched on by sub James McLean for Bremner to net with a back-post shot.
Two minutes later, McLean got himself on the scoresheet with a raking drive from just outside the box which went in off the right upright.
Vikings manager Stevie Reid made no bones about the slump in standards from the opening day win in Muir of Ord.
He said: “Fair play to Fort William who adjusted better to the conditions and certainly outplayed us in the first half.
“Once we switched things round a bit, we started to gain control and I thought the second half was a big improvement.”
Tomorrow, Thurso are away to Bonar Bridge. Jamie MacKenzie is still on holiday while the Sinclair brothers, Martin and Stuart, are also away.
The game was held up just after the hour-mark following a leg injury sustained by assistant ref Michael McPhee. The Wick official could not continue and was replaced by retired whistler Malcolm Clasper.
Thurso – A. Sinclair, Munro (S. Sinclair h/t), Sutherland, Steven, Bremner (M. Begg 88), MacGregor, N. MacKenzie, Petrie, Nichol, M. Sinclair (McLean 84), MacDougall. Subs (unused) – Stewart and R. Begg.
Fort William – Hunter, Love (Craig MacCormack 60), Foggo, MacLennan, Lawrie, Corbett (Calum MacCormack h/t), MacNeil, Forbes, MacDonald, Sweeney, MacLellan (Wright h/t).
Ref – Mr G. John.
The Vikings on Saturday were hard-put to get the better of a spirited young Lochaber side. The visitors took full advantage of playing with a raging wind behind them to deservedly take a 32nd minute lead.
Thurso, who had survived several close calls beforehand, equalised before the interval with just about their first coherent attack. While the home side thereafter had a stranglehold on possession and territory, it took them until 18 minutes from time to go in front.
The dismissal of Fort’s goalscorer Sean MacDonald shortly afterwards for a two-footed lunge on Mark Nichol heralded his side’s freefall. Thurso sealed the PSG North Caley League contest with two further goals from a glut of late opportunities.
Fort’s largely teenage squad provides hope for the club’s embattled Highland League side. Judging by Saturday, the exuberance, skill and nous on show could result in quick promotion for a number of them.
They certainly showed no fear early on with a brisk opening nurturing a growing confidence in their ability to get a result. On six minutes, MacDonald’s long-range free-kick picked out the blindside run of Lewis Corbett who shot just wide.
The home side went closer when Martin Sutherland’s prompt to Mark Nichol ending with the latter’s angled shot eluding the grasp of Ryan Hunter but brushing past the outside of the keeper’s left post. Thurso looked out of sorts with passes regularly going astray and intentions misread.
On 18 minutes, central defender Grant Steven’s loose pass across the edge of the penalty box gave Iain MacLellan a clear view of goal only for him to drag his shot wide. A minute later, the youngster was the beneficiary of a miskick by home keeper Asa Sinclair who was grateful to be able to field MacLellan’s weak attempt on goal.
Soon after, Gary MacGregor made it a hat-trick of free gifts when he conceded possession to give John Sweeney an unobstructed run-in. His final shot was well enough struck and demanded an acrobatic leap and full-length tip-over from Asa Sinclair.
Fort’s MacDonald had already tested Sinclair with an inswinging free-kick before he put the visitors in front with an opportunist long-range lob.
The goal piqued Thurso and applied a spell of pressure during which Lee MacDougall was unable to convert two half-chances before the 39th minute equaliser.
The quality of the sweeping move which led up to the goal was quite out of keeping with anything that had gone before.
Nichol’s measured pass sent Nigel MacKenzie racing down the wide right channel and his low centre was turned in by Martin Sinclair at the near post. The hosts looked more comfortable in the 3-5-2 line-up which they adopted for the second half.
While they took control of the midfield, it was Fort who came closest to taking the lead on 55 minutes when David Forbes found himself unmarked near the penalty spot.
The Vikings were again grateful to Asa Sinclair for his reaction block of Forbes’s fiercely struck shot. It was to mark the end of the visitors’ goal threat as they retrenched in defence to try and hold out for a point.
MacDougall struck wildly over from prime position and Andrew Bremner went close with a header before Nichol put Thurso ahead.
MacDougall’s corner from the right was not properly cleared and the striker pivoted before rifling a shot into the roof of the net.
Thurso now looked to kill off their opponents with Michael Petrie and MacDougall cutting out an opening for Nichol who was foiled by a smother save from Hunter.
MacDonald’s red-carding further hit the Fort side whose energy reserves were already running low.
Five minutes from time, Mackenzie’s free-kick was touched on by sub James McLean for Bremner to net with a back-post shot.
Two minutes later, McLean got himself on the scoresheet with a raking drive from just outside the box which went in off the right upright.
Vikings manager Stevie Reid made no bones about the slump in standards from the opening day win in Muir of Ord.
He said: “Fair play to Fort William who adjusted better to the conditions and certainly outplayed us in the first half.
“Once we switched things round a bit, we started to gain control and I thought the second half was a big improvement.”
Tomorrow, Thurso are away to Bonar Bridge. Jamie MacKenzie is still on holiday while the Sinclair brothers, Martin and Stuart, are also away.
The game was held up just after the hour-mark following a leg injury sustained by assistant ref Michael McPhee. The Wick official could not continue and was replaced by retired whistler Malcolm Clasper.
Thurso – A. Sinclair, Munro (S. Sinclair h/t), Sutherland, Steven, Bremner (M. Begg 88), MacGregor, N. MacKenzie, Petrie, Nichol, M. Sinclair (McLean 84), MacDougall. Subs (unused) – Stewart and R. Begg.
Fort William – Hunter, Love (Craig MacCormack 60), Foggo, MacLennan, Lawrie, Corbett (Calum MacCormack h/t), MacNeil, Forbes, MacDonald, Sweeney, MacLellan (Wright h/t).
Ref – Mr G. John.