Post by Brian Mackay on Apr 1, 2010 17:47:16 GMT -5
Invergordon 0 V Thurso 1 - report by Iain Grant
Not so long ago, Thurso were champing at the bit to get involved after kicking their heels due to a numbing sequence of weather postponements.
Tomorrow they may welcome the fact that they are not in North Caley League action as it gives them a chance to recharge their batteries for what they hope will be a title-winning run-in.
The Vikings face a demanding end to the season with four tough league fixtures sandwiched by a cup final.
They have been well below their best when securing three points from each of their last couple of outings.
On Saturday, they dominated the game but time and again were frustrated by indifferent finishing and a marvellous display from home keeper Ally Matheson.
Invergordon looked on course to celebrate the official opening of their pavilion – named after long-time club and league stalwart the late Jock Mackay – with a surprise point.
But manager Stevie Reid’s gamble in playing a not fully-fit Mark Nichol paid off 15 minutes from time when the top scorer nailed a penalty after he had been hauled down in the box.
It proved decisive and enabled Thurso to maintain the seven point advantage they have at the top.
The visitors made light of playing against the breeze and were soon
beating a path towards Matheson.
Jamie MacKenzie fired narrowly past after getting on the end of Lee MacDougall’s corner on six minutes.
Seven minutes later, the home keeper made his first top-notch fingertip save when he got to a fierce, left-foot effort from Nichol.
Nichol went close again before Bob MacAskill encouraged the home troops with a long-range screamer which just cleared the crossbar.
Jamie MacKenzie was withdrawn into his familiar centre midfield beat after starting the game partnering Nichol up front.
He thought he had put his side in front on 37 minutes but his ‘goal’ was ruled offside.
The last action of the first half was too close for comfort for the visiting camp as they watched Robert Ross’s clever lob being marginally too strong.
It was to be the last attack of any moment for Invergordon who spent the bulk of the second period pinned deep in their own half.
They almost came a cropper with the first action after the break when a sharp break down the right left Martin Sutherland in glorious isolation 12 yards out.
The wing-back failed his striking audition, dragging his shot wide.
While having no shortage of possession, too many of Thurso’s attacks fizzled out in the final third.
They also came against a resolute back-line while Matheson continued to star with his secure handling and shot-stopping.
Just when Invergordon were starting to savour the prospect of a share of the spoils, they fell behind.
Nichol shook off his marker on a powerful run into the penalty box where he was felled by Gordie Sinclair.
Ref Jason Hassan had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Nichol recovered to slot home his 28th goal of the season.
Ten minutes from time, Nigel MacKenzie skipped clear and had his shot turned over by the over-worked Matheson.
Nichol then had an attempt cleared off the line as Thurso tried but failed to get a nerve-settling second.
Vikings manager Stevie Reid accepts his side is not firing on all cylinders. He said: “It looked like it was going to be one of these games that it just wasn’t going to happen for us. “But we got there in the end and I don’t think anyone could say we didn’t deserve to win.”
Reid accepts he took a chance on Nichol who had missed the previous game with a knee complaint.
He said: “It’s maybe that time of the season when the nerves are getting the better of one or two of us. “Hopefully we’ll get over that and push on in the games we have left.”
Thurso – Gray, Stewart (Begg 70), Sutherland, Steven, Sinclair, MacGregor, N. MacKenzie, Petrie (Munro 80), Nichol, J. MacKenzie, MacDougall. Sub (unused) – Bremner.
Ref – Mr J. Hasson.
Not so long ago, Thurso were champing at the bit to get involved after kicking their heels due to a numbing sequence of weather postponements.
Tomorrow they may welcome the fact that they are not in North Caley League action as it gives them a chance to recharge their batteries for what they hope will be a title-winning run-in.
The Vikings face a demanding end to the season with four tough league fixtures sandwiched by a cup final.
They have been well below their best when securing three points from each of their last couple of outings.
On Saturday, they dominated the game but time and again were frustrated by indifferent finishing and a marvellous display from home keeper Ally Matheson.
Invergordon looked on course to celebrate the official opening of their pavilion – named after long-time club and league stalwart the late Jock Mackay – with a surprise point.
But manager Stevie Reid’s gamble in playing a not fully-fit Mark Nichol paid off 15 minutes from time when the top scorer nailed a penalty after he had been hauled down in the box.
It proved decisive and enabled Thurso to maintain the seven point advantage they have at the top.
The visitors made light of playing against the breeze and were soon
beating a path towards Matheson.
Jamie MacKenzie fired narrowly past after getting on the end of Lee MacDougall’s corner on six minutes.
Seven minutes later, the home keeper made his first top-notch fingertip save when he got to a fierce, left-foot effort from Nichol.
Nichol went close again before Bob MacAskill encouraged the home troops with a long-range screamer which just cleared the crossbar.
Jamie MacKenzie was withdrawn into his familiar centre midfield beat after starting the game partnering Nichol up front.
He thought he had put his side in front on 37 minutes but his ‘goal’ was ruled offside.
The last action of the first half was too close for comfort for the visiting camp as they watched Robert Ross’s clever lob being marginally too strong.
It was to be the last attack of any moment for Invergordon who spent the bulk of the second period pinned deep in their own half.
They almost came a cropper with the first action after the break when a sharp break down the right left Martin Sutherland in glorious isolation 12 yards out.
The wing-back failed his striking audition, dragging his shot wide.
While having no shortage of possession, too many of Thurso’s attacks fizzled out in the final third.
They also came against a resolute back-line while Matheson continued to star with his secure handling and shot-stopping.
Just when Invergordon were starting to savour the prospect of a share of the spoils, they fell behind.
Nichol shook off his marker on a powerful run into the penalty box where he was felled by Gordie Sinclair.
Ref Jason Hassan had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Nichol recovered to slot home his 28th goal of the season.
Ten minutes from time, Nigel MacKenzie skipped clear and had his shot turned over by the over-worked Matheson.
Nichol then had an attempt cleared off the line as Thurso tried but failed to get a nerve-settling second.
Vikings manager Stevie Reid accepts his side is not firing on all cylinders. He said: “It looked like it was going to be one of these games that it just wasn’t going to happen for us. “But we got there in the end and I don’t think anyone could say we didn’t deserve to win.”
Reid accepts he took a chance on Nichol who had missed the previous game with a knee complaint.
He said: “It’s maybe that time of the season when the nerves are getting the better of one or two of us. “Hopefully we’ll get over that and push on in the games we have left.”
Thurso – Gray, Stewart (Begg 70), Sutherland, Steven, Sinclair, MacGregor, N. MacKenzie, Petrie (Munro 80), Nichol, J. MacKenzie, MacDougall. Sub (unused) – Bremner.
Ref – Mr J. Hasson.