Post by Brian Mackay on Sept 15, 2010 9:21:35 GMT -5
Golspie Sutherland 2 V Thurso 2 - report from Iain Grant
Both camps had to be content with a point after Saturday’s PSG North Caley League tussle at King George V Park.
The Vikings had their tails up after taking the lead through James Murray but a sprightly first half display was marred when they shipped an avoidable equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
That inspired the hosts to step up a gear in a rain-soaked second period when they went in front through Kris Mikula’s second of the afternoon.
Sandy Sutherland’s debut goal got Thurso on terms soon afterwards and both sides missed snips late on to take all three points.
The home side were slowly into their stride but had started to get up to speed just when they fell behind on 30 minutes thanks to a gaffe by former Brora Ranger keeper Mike McCallum.
Stevie MacKintosh’s cross from wide out on the left should have been meat-and-drink to the lanky stopper.
But he misread the flight of the ball which was bundled into the net at the far post by James Murray. Thurso returned the favour when slack marking gave Milkula acres of space to run through and place the ball past Michael Gray.
Golspie seemed to thrive in the second half downpour and went in front thanks to the Polish striker’s second on 60 minutes.
Again, the visiting defence were exposed with Lee MacDougall’s slip was compounded by slack marking which allowed Mikula in too easily.
Golspie missed a great chance to stretch their lead when Darren Pullen sent an uncontested header past Gray’s left-hand post.
Within two minutes of going behind, the Vikings were level. Kyle Ross’s intelligent through ball fell perfectly for Sandy Sutherland and the former Halkirk United frontman held his nerve to bend the ball past McCallum.
Golspie had the better of the second half though chances continued to be created art both ends.
After the home side passed up a couple of decent openings, MacDougall should have restored his side’s lead with 10 minutes left.
Ross was again the creator with MacDougall presented with a tight angle but a clear view of goal, only to snatch his shot into the side-net.
That was put in the shade by the last minute opportunity which came Donald Sutherland’s way at the other end.
Sent clear on goal by a ball which cleared the last outfield defender, Sutherland wasted the opportunity to win the game by skying his shot high over the bar.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid and his Golspie counterpart Ricky Michalek afterwards agreed a draw was about right on the run of play.
“Over the piece, 2-2 was probably a fair result,” said Reid.
“No disrespect to the teams we’ve played so far but I’d say
Golspie were definitely the best side we’ve played so far.
“They were well organised and strong and I’d say they have strengthened from last year.”
He was happy with the first half display and believed the game could well have had a different out-turn had they led at the interval.
Reid was less than impressed with the manner in which his sides conceded the two goals and as targeted as an area in need of attention.
Michalek said: “Thurso had the better of the first half and we had the better of the second. “We both missed several good chances and a draw was probably a fair result.”
Golspie Sutherland – McCallum, A. Sutherland, Gunn, Thomson, Christie, Lamond, Innes, Mikula, Campbell, Pullen, D. Sutherland.
Thurso – Gray, Stewart, Steven, Bremner, Ross, S. MacKintosh (M. Sutherland 60), MacKenzie, Nichol, S. Sutherland, Murray, MacDougall. Subs (unused) – Petrie and Trueman.
Ref – Mr J. Bicknell.
Both camps had to be content with a point after Saturday’s PSG North Caley League tussle at King George V Park.
The Vikings had their tails up after taking the lead through James Murray but a sprightly first half display was marred when they shipped an avoidable equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
That inspired the hosts to step up a gear in a rain-soaked second period when they went in front through Kris Mikula’s second of the afternoon.
Sandy Sutherland’s debut goal got Thurso on terms soon afterwards and both sides missed snips late on to take all three points.
The home side were slowly into their stride but had started to get up to speed just when they fell behind on 30 minutes thanks to a gaffe by former Brora Ranger keeper Mike McCallum.
Stevie MacKintosh’s cross from wide out on the left should have been meat-and-drink to the lanky stopper.
But he misread the flight of the ball which was bundled into the net at the far post by James Murray. Thurso returned the favour when slack marking gave Milkula acres of space to run through and place the ball past Michael Gray.
Golspie seemed to thrive in the second half downpour and went in front thanks to the Polish striker’s second on 60 minutes.
Again, the visiting defence were exposed with Lee MacDougall’s slip was compounded by slack marking which allowed Mikula in too easily.
Golspie missed a great chance to stretch their lead when Darren Pullen sent an uncontested header past Gray’s left-hand post.
Within two minutes of going behind, the Vikings were level. Kyle Ross’s intelligent through ball fell perfectly for Sandy Sutherland and the former Halkirk United frontman held his nerve to bend the ball past McCallum.
Golspie had the better of the second half though chances continued to be created art both ends.
After the home side passed up a couple of decent openings, MacDougall should have restored his side’s lead with 10 minutes left.
Ross was again the creator with MacDougall presented with a tight angle but a clear view of goal, only to snatch his shot into the side-net.
That was put in the shade by the last minute opportunity which came Donald Sutherland’s way at the other end.
Sent clear on goal by a ball which cleared the last outfield defender, Sutherland wasted the opportunity to win the game by skying his shot high over the bar.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid and his Golspie counterpart Ricky Michalek afterwards agreed a draw was about right on the run of play.
“Over the piece, 2-2 was probably a fair result,” said Reid.
“No disrespect to the teams we’ve played so far but I’d say
Golspie were definitely the best side we’ve played so far.
“They were well organised and strong and I’d say they have strengthened from last year.”
He was happy with the first half display and believed the game could well have had a different out-turn had they led at the interval.
Reid was less than impressed with the manner in which his sides conceded the two goals and as targeted as an area in need of attention.
Michalek said: “Thurso had the better of the first half and we had the better of the second. “We both missed several good chances and a draw was probably a fair result.”
Golspie Sutherland – McCallum, A. Sutherland, Gunn, Thomson, Christie, Lamond, Innes, Mikula, Campbell, Pullen, D. Sutherland.
Thurso – Gray, Stewart, Steven, Bremner, Ross, S. MacKintosh (M. Sutherland 60), MacKenzie, Nichol, S. Sutherland, Murray, MacDougall. Subs (unused) – Petrie and Trueman.
Ref – Mr J. Bicknell.