Post by Brian Mackay on Sept 17, 2009 2:25:02 GMT -5
Thurso 5 V Invergordon 0 - report by Iain Grant
Thurso’s last two North Caley League campaigns have been hamstrung by a glut of points lost in their opening run of fixtures.
They have reversed that trend with wins in their first three fixtures, making them the only team so far not to have tasted defeat. It is early days and two of the victories have been prised at home versus sides unlikely to be challenging for honours.
Vikings manager Stevie Reid has however reason to be pleased with their early success which has been secured without his squad playing to their potential. On Saturday, a late goal spate was needed to kill off an industrious Invergordon side, which has been hit by a number of close-season defections.
A Mark Nichol strike had given the Vikings early encouragement but the feel-good mood gradually ebbed away as a succession of chances were squandered. As long as the visitors were just one behind, they battled for possession in all areas of the park and injected enough menace into occasional counter-attacks to nourish hopes of an equaliser. Invergordon’s challenge was only effectively extinguished by Wayne Monkman’s headed finish on 78 minutes.
Nichol went on to have a crazy spell, missing from the penalty spot before registering an eight minute hat-trick. On a dour afternoon day on a surface made slick by a persistent drizzle, the Vikings quickly demonstrated their commitment to attacking down the wide channels.
Wingers Nigel MacKenzie and Lee MacDougall combined on an early attack which resulted in Nichol sending a header narrowly past.
The Vikings grabbed the lead on 10 minutes when Nigel MacKenzie’s free-kick was touched on by his brother Jamie for Nichol to sweep home at the far post.
Driving play from Martin Sutherland and a favourable deflection set up MacDougall with an inviting sight of goal on 17 minutes.
His shot eluded keeper Alan Bokas but pinged back off the inside of the right post. Jamie MacKenzie thought he had made it 2-0 six minutes later after he combined with MacDougall to run through and fire past Bokas. The effort was ruled out for offside.
Thurso continued to cut out chances with Nichol’s rising effort parried to safety by Bokas. Michael Petrie then set up Nichol for a shot which would have counted but for the merest nick off defender Nicky Denoon.
Invergordon were seldom seen on attack though home keeper Asa Sinclair needed to show sharp reflexes to hold a shot from Paul Gordon on 31 minutes. The visitors enjoyed a strong finish to the half with Robert McCormack’s shot coming off the head of defender Andrew Bremner to squirt just behind Sinclair’s right post.
A flat start after the break by Thurso was enlivened by the introductions of Monkman and striker Stuart MacKenzie. The Orcadian forced a good stop from Bokas on 63 minutes before Jamie Mackenzie had a netbound shot diverted by a brave block from Neil Stevens. In between, former Ross County youth striker Mark Lamont threatened with a fine run and shot which discomfited Sinclair.
Monkman had already demonstrated his aerial threat several times before he rose to meet Nichol’s hanging cross with a firm header which went in at the junction of the bar and the right upright. That triggered a collapse in the visitors’ effort as Thurso sensed blood.
Nichol hit the outside the left post from the penalty spot after he himself had been hauled down in the box by Bob MacCaskill. Three minutes later, he made quick amends after he seized on an assist from Nigel MacKenzie to net from close range. Nichol passed up a similar opportunity before he cashed in on good work from Stuart MacKenzie to register his hat-trick. In injury-time, the diminutive Castletown frontman was again the provider with Nichol’s powerful, curve-ball finish giving Bokas no chance.
Vikings manager Stevie Reid was happy with the general display while admitting to fretting as his side entered the final period just one goal to the good. He said: “After the first 20 minutes or so when the sides were sussing each other out, I thought we went on to dominate the game.
“After getting the opener, we had quite a few chances but we got a bit excited and did not show enough patience. “When we finally got the second goal, it was all over.”
Thurso tomorrow entertain Tain Thistle is the quarter-final of the Lindsays of Golspie North Caledonian Cup. Brothers Stuart and Martin Sinclair are again expected to miss out though Sean Munro is back from suspension and Stuart Mackenzie is set for another run-out.
Keeper Asa Sinclair has work commitments with Michael Gray expected to be back between the sticks for the game which kicks off at 2.30 p.m.
Thurso – Sinclair, Sutherland, Stewart (Begg 85), Steven, Bremner, MacGregor (Monkman 52), N. MacKenzie, Petrie (S. MacKenzie 60), Nichol, J. MacKenzie, MacDougall. Sub (unused) – Tait.
Invergordon – Bokas, Graham, Stirling, Muir, Denoon, Stevens MacCaskill, MacCormack (Morrison 65), Lammont, Gordon, Rosie. Subs (unused) – Ross and Sinclair.
Ref – Mr G. Elder.
Thurso’s last two North Caley League campaigns have been hamstrung by a glut of points lost in their opening run of fixtures.
They have reversed that trend with wins in their first three fixtures, making them the only team so far not to have tasted defeat. It is early days and two of the victories have been prised at home versus sides unlikely to be challenging for honours.
Vikings manager Stevie Reid has however reason to be pleased with their early success which has been secured without his squad playing to their potential. On Saturday, a late goal spate was needed to kill off an industrious Invergordon side, which has been hit by a number of close-season defections.
A Mark Nichol strike had given the Vikings early encouragement but the feel-good mood gradually ebbed away as a succession of chances were squandered. As long as the visitors were just one behind, they battled for possession in all areas of the park and injected enough menace into occasional counter-attacks to nourish hopes of an equaliser. Invergordon’s challenge was only effectively extinguished by Wayne Monkman’s headed finish on 78 minutes.
Nichol went on to have a crazy spell, missing from the penalty spot before registering an eight minute hat-trick. On a dour afternoon day on a surface made slick by a persistent drizzle, the Vikings quickly demonstrated their commitment to attacking down the wide channels.
Wingers Nigel MacKenzie and Lee MacDougall combined on an early attack which resulted in Nichol sending a header narrowly past.
The Vikings grabbed the lead on 10 minutes when Nigel MacKenzie’s free-kick was touched on by his brother Jamie for Nichol to sweep home at the far post.
Driving play from Martin Sutherland and a favourable deflection set up MacDougall with an inviting sight of goal on 17 minutes.
His shot eluded keeper Alan Bokas but pinged back off the inside of the right post. Jamie MacKenzie thought he had made it 2-0 six minutes later after he combined with MacDougall to run through and fire past Bokas. The effort was ruled out for offside.
Thurso continued to cut out chances with Nichol’s rising effort parried to safety by Bokas. Michael Petrie then set up Nichol for a shot which would have counted but for the merest nick off defender Nicky Denoon.
Invergordon were seldom seen on attack though home keeper Asa Sinclair needed to show sharp reflexes to hold a shot from Paul Gordon on 31 minutes. The visitors enjoyed a strong finish to the half with Robert McCormack’s shot coming off the head of defender Andrew Bremner to squirt just behind Sinclair’s right post.
A flat start after the break by Thurso was enlivened by the introductions of Monkman and striker Stuart MacKenzie. The Orcadian forced a good stop from Bokas on 63 minutes before Jamie Mackenzie had a netbound shot diverted by a brave block from Neil Stevens. In between, former Ross County youth striker Mark Lamont threatened with a fine run and shot which discomfited Sinclair.
Monkman had already demonstrated his aerial threat several times before he rose to meet Nichol’s hanging cross with a firm header which went in at the junction of the bar and the right upright. That triggered a collapse in the visitors’ effort as Thurso sensed blood.
Nichol hit the outside the left post from the penalty spot after he himself had been hauled down in the box by Bob MacCaskill. Three minutes later, he made quick amends after he seized on an assist from Nigel MacKenzie to net from close range. Nichol passed up a similar opportunity before he cashed in on good work from Stuart MacKenzie to register his hat-trick. In injury-time, the diminutive Castletown frontman was again the provider with Nichol’s powerful, curve-ball finish giving Bokas no chance.
Vikings manager Stevie Reid was happy with the general display while admitting to fretting as his side entered the final period just one goal to the good. He said: “After the first 20 minutes or so when the sides were sussing each other out, I thought we went on to dominate the game.
“After getting the opener, we had quite a few chances but we got a bit excited and did not show enough patience. “When we finally got the second goal, it was all over.”
Thurso tomorrow entertain Tain Thistle is the quarter-final of the Lindsays of Golspie North Caledonian Cup. Brothers Stuart and Martin Sinclair are again expected to miss out though Sean Munro is back from suspension and Stuart Mackenzie is set for another run-out.
Keeper Asa Sinclair has work commitments with Michael Gray expected to be back between the sticks for the game which kicks off at 2.30 p.m.
Thurso – Sinclair, Sutherland, Stewart (Begg 85), Steven, Bremner, MacGregor (Monkman 52), N. MacKenzie, Petrie (S. MacKenzie 60), Nichol, J. MacKenzie, MacDougall. Sub (unused) – Tait.
Invergordon – Bokas, Graham, Stirling, Muir, Denoon, Stevens MacCaskill, MacCormack (Morrison 65), Lammont, Gordon, Rosie. Subs (unused) – Ross and Sinclair.
Ref – Mr G. Elder.