Post by Brian Mackay on May 4, 2010 11:01:25 GMT -5
Golspie Sutherland 4 Thurso 1 - report from Iain Grant
Thurso’s title-winning North Caley season ended in anti-climax in Invergordon on Saturday when they lost out in the final of the Jock Mackay Memorial Cup.
Golspie deserved to savour a victory which salvages what for them has been a disappointing campaign by the high standards they have set in recent seasons.
The Vikings on Saturday had the jaded look which has characterised their dispays over the past six weeks.
They also have malfunctioned in cup ties versus the divioson’s stronger outfits over the season.
Their record of four wins and four losses in the four knock-out
competitions contrasts sharply with their barnstorming unbeaten run in 18 league outings.
“I don’t know what is about cup games,” reflected Vikings manager Stevie Reid. “I can’t put my finger on why we’ve under-performed in them compared to our league performances.”
While conceding that the Sutherland side were the better team on the day, he winces at the 4-1 margin of defeat.
“There was not much in the game,” he said. “Fair play to Golspie in taking the chances that came their way but they agreed that the final score flattered them.”
Thurso lined up with an attack-minded 4-3-3 with Nigel MacKenzie joining the attacking spearhead of Mark Nichol and Stuart MacKenzie.
The ambition failed to produce results at the business end, with the service to the frontmen producing no more than a smattering of half-chances from open play.
Golspie, too, struggled to find the killer pass or cross though they took full advantage of the openings they were afforded.
The first goal on 25 minutes came out of the blue when a defensive gremlin let in defender John Smith who ran on to steer the ball wide of Thurso keeper Michael Gray.
Just under 15 minutes minutes later, Thurso were on the attack when a stray pass gifted possession to Golspie. A lightning counter ended with Tommy Campbell getting goalside of left wing-back Lee MacDougall. Campbell bore in on goal and fired a shot which beat Gray on his near post.
Thurso got one back seven minutes after the interval when Nichol’s swerving 20 yard free-kick found the gap between keeper Steven Campbell and his right-hand post.
Thurso continued their encouraging start to the second period and, without seriously threatening an equaliser, were enjoying good spells of quality possession.
Their confidence was however punctured on 59 minutes when they conceded a third.
Gray had pulled off a cracking double parry but was powerless to prevent Pole Kris Mikula from converting the second rebound.
Golspie’s victory was confirmed by a cracking first-time volley nine minutes from time which streaked past Gray.
Manager Reid said: “We didn’t deserve to be two behind at the interval as they were just about the only chances they had.
“I felt confident when we got the goal back and were looking sparky but once we lost the third one, the game was pretty well up for us. “Unfortunately, it never happened for us on the day in the final third.”
Looking back on the campaign, Reid was more than happy with how it had gone. “Of course, it’s disappointing to end the season losing a cup final.
“But the main goal was the league and the boys can be proud of going through that undefeated and winning the title. “It’s been a great effort by them.”
Golspie – S. Campbell, J. Sutherland, McLaren, Stone, Smith, T. Campbell, Innes, A. Sutherland, Mikula, D. Sutherland, S. Sutherland. Subs – MacLeod, Whyte, A. Smith and Bone.
Thurso – Gray, Sutherland (Petrie 68), Steven, Sinclair, MacGregor,
Monkman (Begg 72), N. MacKenzie, S. MacKenzie (Petrie 66), Nichol, J. MacKenzie, MacDougall. Sub (unused) – Stewart.
Referee – Mr J. Bicknell.
Thurso’s title-winning North Caley season ended in anti-climax in Invergordon on Saturday when they lost out in the final of the Jock Mackay Memorial Cup.
Golspie deserved to savour a victory which salvages what for them has been a disappointing campaign by the high standards they have set in recent seasons.
The Vikings on Saturday had the jaded look which has characterised their dispays over the past six weeks.
They also have malfunctioned in cup ties versus the divioson’s stronger outfits over the season.
Their record of four wins and four losses in the four knock-out
competitions contrasts sharply with their barnstorming unbeaten run in 18 league outings.
“I don’t know what is about cup games,” reflected Vikings manager Stevie Reid. “I can’t put my finger on why we’ve under-performed in them compared to our league performances.”
While conceding that the Sutherland side were the better team on the day, he winces at the 4-1 margin of defeat.
“There was not much in the game,” he said. “Fair play to Golspie in taking the chances that came their way but they agreed that the final score flattered them.”
Thurso lined up with an attack-minded 4-3-3 with Nigel MacKenzie joining the attacking spearhead of Mark Nichol and Stuart MacKenzie.
The ambition failed to produce results at the business end, with the service to the frontmen producing no more than a smattering of half-chances from open play.
Golspie, too, struggled to find the killer pass or cross though they took full advantage of the openings they were afforded.
The first goal on 25 minutes came out of the blue when a defensive gremlin let in defender John Smith who ran on to steer the ball wide of Thurso keeper Michael Gray.
Just under 15 minutes minutes later, Thurso were on the attack when a stray pass gifted possession to Golspie. A lightning counter ended with Tommy Campbell getting goalside of left wing-back Lee MacDougall. Campbell bore in on goal and fired a shot which beat Gray on his near post.
Thurso got one back seven minutes after the interval when Nichol’s swerving 20 yard free-kick found the gap between keeper Steven Campbell and his right-hand post.
Thurso continued their encouraging start to the second period and, without seriously threatening an equaliser, were enjoying good spells of quality possession.
Their confidence was however punctured on 59 minutes when they conceded a third.
Gray had pulled off a cracking double parry but was powerless to prevent Pole Kris Mikula from converting the second rebound.
Golspie’s victory was confirmed by a cracking first-time volley nine minutes from time which streaked past Gray.
Manager Reid said: “We didn’t deserve to be two behind at the interval as they were just about the only chances they had.
“I felt confident when we got the goal back and were looking sparky but once we lost the third one, the game was pretty well up for us. “Unfortunately, it never happened for us on the day in the final third.”
Looking back on the campaign, Reid was more than happy with how it had gone. “Of course, it’s disappointing to end the season losing a cup final.
“But the main goal was the league and the boys can be proud of going through that undefeated and winning the title. “It’s been a great effort by them.”
Golspie – S. Campbell, J. Sutherland, McLaren, Stone, Smith, T. Campbell, Innes, A. Sutherland, Mikula, D. Sutherland, S. Sutherland. Subs – MacLeod, Whyte, A. Smith and Bone.
Thurso – Gray, Sutherland (Petrie 68), Steven, Sinclair, MacGregor,
Monkman (Begg 72), N. MacKenzie, S. MacKenzie (Petrie 66), Nichol, J. MacKenzie, MacDougall. Sub (unused) – Stewart.
Referee – Mr J. Bicknell.