Post by Brian Mackay on Nov 25, 2009 11:30:40 GMT -5
Golspie Sutherland 2 Thurso 1 - report from Iain Grant
The barnstorming form shown by the Vikings in the PSG North Caley League has failed to carry in to knock-out competitions.
The unbeaten league leaders on Saturday suffered their second successive elimination in their opening match, albeit both to fancied teams.
Golspie recovered from falling behind to a hotly contested penalty to draw level before grabbing the winner thanks to an Aaron Smith solo effort with 19 minutes remaining.
An injury to top scorer Mark Nichol forced a reshuffle in the Vikings ranks with Lee MacDougall deserting his now-familiar left wing-back role to partner Jamie Mackenzie as the attacking spearhead.
Shaun Forbes came into the back four while Wayne Monkman returned to the middle of midfield.
Thurso settled well and got an early breakthrough when home central defender Robbie MacDougall was adjudged to have shoved Jamie MacKenzie as they prepared to contest a high ball in the box.
Nigel MacKenzie made a tidy job of the spot-kick amid simmering unrest among the home camp about the merit of the award.
Several Golspie players were booked and they took a while before channelling their frustration in a positive way.
The home side have strengthened since their 6-1 league reverse in Thurso last month and they had gone close a couple of times before they equalised on 29 minutes.
Questions were asked among the Thurso rearguard as Alex Bone was left on his own to convert a cross with a bullet header which gave keeper Michael Gray no chance.
Thurso’s most promising attacks were regularly nipped in the bud by offside flags as the game developed into a war of attrition in midfield.
Golspie enjoyed a lively start to the second period though Gray was not unduly troubled.
The winner came when Smith’s probing run as he cut in from the left flank went unchallenged and he took advantage of the space to strike a low shot between Gray and his nearside post.
The visitors lacked the sharpness and fluidity of recent performances and struggled to create much in the way of clearcut opportunities.
They did step up their effort in the final 10 minutes during which Lee MacDougall blazed clear and had his rising shot tipped over the bar by the underworked home keeper Steven Campbell.
Nichol made a late cameo appearance but was unable to have much of an influence.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid said the changes altered the shape of the team.
He said: “Our passing throughout the game was not up to scratch .
“We were also let down by poor decision-making and players just not performing.
“We did look better when we went to 4-3-3 in the final half-hour.”
Reid added: “There wasn’t much in the game and I don’t think we deserved to lose it.
“It is disappointing, especially as the final of the cup is in Thurso.”
Thurso – Gray, Sutherland (Stewart 50), Bremner, Sinclair, Forbes, Petrie (Nichol 78) Steven, Monkman, N. MacKenzie, J. MacKenzie, L. MacDougall (Begg 84). Sub (unused) – Steven.
Ref – Mr G. Dearie.
The barnstorming form shown by the Vikings in the PSG North Caley League has failed to carry in to knock-out competitions.
The unbeaten league leaders on Saturday suffered their second successive elimination in their opening match, albeit both to fancied teams.
Golspie recovered from falling behind to a hotly contested penalty to draw level before grabbing the winner thanks to an Aaron Smith solo effort with 19 minutes remaining.
An injury to top scorer Mark Nichol forced a reshuffle in the Vikings ranks with Lee MacDougall deserting his now-familiar left wing-back role to partner Jamie Mackenzie as the attacking spearhead.
Shaun Forbes came into the back four while Wayne Monkman returned to the middle of midfield.
Thurso settled well and got an early breakthrough when home central defender Robbie MacDougall was adjudged to have shoved Jamie MacKenzie as they prepared to contest a high ball in the box.
Nigel MacKenzie made a tidy job of the spot-kick amid simmering unrest among the home camp about the merit of the award.
Several Golspie players were booked and they took a while before channelling their frustration in a positive way.
The home side have strengthened since their 6-1 league reverse in Thurso last month and they had gone close a couple of times before they equalised on 29 minutes.
Questions were asked among the Thurso rearguard as Alex Bone was left on his own to convert a cross with a bullet header which gave keeper Michael Gray no chance.
Thurso’s most promising attacks were regularly nipped in the bud by offside flags as the game developed into a war of attrition in midfield.
Golspie enjoyed a lively start to the second period though Gray was not unduly troubled.
The winner came when Smith’s probing run as he cut in from the left flank went unchallenged and he took advantage of the space to strike a low shot between Gray and his nearside post.
The visitors lacked the sharpness and fluidity of recent performances and struggled to create much in the way of clearcut opportunities.
They did step up their effort in the final 10 minutes during which Lee MacDougall blazed clear and had his rising shot tipped over the bar by the underworked home keeper Steven Campbell.
Nichol made a late cameo appearance but was unable to have much of an influence.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid said the changes altered the shape of the team.
He said: “Our passing throughout the game was not up to scratch .
“We were also let down by poor decision-making and players just not performing.
“We did look better when we went to 4-3-3 in the final half-hour.”
Reid added: “There wasn’t much in the game and I don’t think we deserved to lose it.
“It is disappointing, especially as the final of the cup is in Thurso.”
Thurso – Gray, Sutherland (Stewart 50), Bremner, Sinclair, Forbes, Petrie (Nichol 78) Steven, Monkman, N. MacKenzie, J. MacKenzie, L. MacDougall (Begg 84). Sub (unused) – Steven.
Ref – Mr G. Dearie.