Post by Brian Mackay on Jul 25, 2010 7:21:27 GMT -5
Thurso and Wick Academy shared the spoils at Thurso’s Sir Georges Park in Saturday’s first fully-fledged friendly between the sides.
The match, a testimonial for long-serving Viking Lee MacDougall, proved a good work-out for both sides as they prepare for their respective league campaigns.
Academy looked sharper in the early stages though the first close thing came in their goalmouth when James Murray twice had efforts cleared off the line from Kyle Ross’s corner.
The hosts went in front when a surging run by Jamie MacKenzie ended with his cross being turned past keeper Alan Bokas from eight yards by Mark Nichol.
David Cowie and Sam Mackay both went close before the Highland League side equalised on 25 minutes.
David Allan was chopped down by Michael Gray after he got to a through-ball into the box fractionally before the Thurso keeper.
The friendly status of the game ensured Gray stayed on the park though he was powerless to prevent Mackay blasting home the spot-kick.
Ross Allan made an immediate impression after coming off the bench as he ran through to clip the ball wide of Gray to put his side 2-1 15 minutes from half-time.
A spate of changes made for a messy start to the second half when Gary Weir shot wide from prime position.
Ross was then almost in on goal, with the ball breaking to Murray who blasted wide.
Thurso finished strongly and got the leveller five minutes from time after Gary Manson stopped a deflected inswinging corner with his arm as he guarded the left post.
Manson was red-carded while Nichol coolly converted the spot-kick
Thurso squad – Gray, Clark, Shearer, McIntosh, Steven, MacDougall, Ross, Bremner, MacKenzie, Nichol, Murray, Wann, M. Begg, R. Begg, Sutherland.
report by Iain Grant
The match, a testimonial for long-serving Viking Lee MacDougall, proved a good work-out for both sides as they prepare for their respective league campaigns.
Academy looked sharper in the early stages though the first close thing came in their goalmouth when James Murray twice had efforts cleared off the line from Kyle Ross’s corner.
The hosts went in front when a surging run by Jamie MacKenzie ended with his cross being turned past keeper Alan Bokas from eight yards by Mark Nichol.
David Cowie and Sam Mackay both went close before the Highland League side equalised on 25 minutes.
David Allan was chopped down by Michael Gray after he got to a through-ball into the box fractionally before the Thurso keeper.
The friendly status of the game ensured Gray stayed on the park though he was powerless to prevent Mackay blasting home the spot-kick.
Ross Allan made an immediate impression after coming off the bench as he ran through to clip the ball wide of Gray to put his side 2-1 15 minutes from half-time.
A spate of changes made for a messy start to the second half when Gary Weir shot wide from prime position.
Ross was then almost in on goal, with the ball breaking to Murray who blasted wide.
Thurso finished strongly and got the leveller five minutes from time after Gary Manson stopped a deflected inswinging corner with his arm as he guarded the left post.
Manson was red-carded while Nichol coolly converted the spot-kick
Thurso squad – Gray, Clark, Shearer, McIntosh, Steven, MacDougall, Ross, Bremner, MacKenzie, Nichol, Murray, Wann, M. Begg, R. Begg, Sutherland.
report by Iain Grant