Post by Brian Mackay on Nov 16, 2010 19:39:53 GMT -5
Thurso 5 v Bonar Bridge 0 - report from Iain Grant
The Vikings secured an undemanding victory over a patchwork Bonar side on Saturday to end a three game losing streak in the PSG North Caley League.
Mark Nichol also ended his barren run in front of goal, grabbing a smartly-taken hat-trick as his side went in five to the good at the interval.
Bonar fielded half-a-dozen trialists, including four Caithness-based players who were fixed up on the morning of the match.
The Sutherland side are at a low ebb though they deserve credit for the energy and battling qualities they displayed on the pitch.
That said, they offered next-no-nothing in attack with Stevie Blackwood’s header which flashed past a post on 59 minutes their only real threat.
Visiting keeper Steven Wemyss was the focus of most of the action as he and his defence sought to absorb waves of constant pressure.
Nichol thought he had broken his four game drought within the first minute but his ‘goal’ was annulled after ref Graham John deemed Wemyss had hands on the ball when the striker netted.
Nichol then sent an effort narrowly past shortly after Chris Wann shot just over.
The Vikings went in front on 14 minutes when Lee MacDougall;s corner broke to James Murray who was left with a simple tap-in.
Five minutes later, MacDougall got his first of the season in some style as he cut in from the left wing and curled a right footer from the edge of the box into the far top corner.
On 21 minutes, Nichol grabbed his first of the afternoon with a precise left-foot strike.
Bonar were reeling and within three minutes conceded again.
MacDougall’s burst down the left wing produced a convincing finish from Nichol.
Wann was thwarted again on 38 minutes when his 25 yarder skimmed off the left post and went behind.
Nichol made it 5-0 five minutes from the break after he converted a penalty after he was levelled in the box.
Murray had the ball in the net again but he was adjudged offside as Bonar got to the break almost relieved to be trailing by just five.
Nichol was enjoying getting back on the scoring trail and within a few minutes of the resumption, he went close with a header and a 25 yard dig.
The game then went into a lengthy lull as Bonar won some much-needed respite.
Visiting defender David Munro became the only player cautioned on 74 minutes for a studs-up tackle.
Little of note then happened until Nichol was denied a fourth when his 87th minute ‘goal’ was ruled offside.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid was pleased with the way his side went about their business.
“We knew they were struggling to get a squad and it was important that we approached the game in the right manner and I though that is what he did, especially in the first half.
“We scored some good goals and it was good to be able the young guys a decent run.
“The game died a bit after the interval but we got the job done.”
Thurso – Gray, Stewart, Forbes (Mackintosh 64), Smith, Bremner, Ross (Petrie 49), Wann, Allan, Nichol, Murray, MacDougall.
Bonar Bridge – Wemyss, Munro, Clark, C. Mackay, Gilmour, Lewis, Smith (Carr 83), Clark, D. Mackay, Blackwood (Sinclair 63), Sutherland (Davidson 79).
Ref – Mr G. John.
The Vikings secured an undemanding victory over a patchwork Bonar side on Saturday to end a three game losing streak in the PSG North Caley League.
Mark Nichol also ended his barren run in front of goal, grabbing a smartly-taken hat-trick as his side went in five to the good at the interval.
Bonar fielded half-a-dozen trialists, including four Caithness-based players who were fixed up on the morning of the match.
The Sutherland side are at a low ebb though they deserve credit for the energy and battling qualities they displayed on the pitch.
That said, they offered next-no-nothing in attack with Stevie Blackwood’s header which flashed past a post on 59 minutes their only real threat.
Visiting keeper Steven Wemyss was the focus of most of the action as he and his defence sought to absorb waves of constant pressure.
Nichol thought he had broken his four game drought within the first minute but his ‘goal’ was annulled after ref Graham John deemed Wemyss had hands on the ball when the striker netted.
Nichol then sent an effort narrowly past shortly after Chris Wann shot just over.
The Vikings went in front on 14 minutes when Lee MacDougall;s corner broke to James Murray who was left with a simple tap-in.
Five minutes later, MacDougall got his first of the season in some style as he cut in from the left wing and curled a right footer from the edge of the box into the far top corner.
On 21 minutes, Nichol grabbed his first of the afternoon with a precise left-foot strike.
Bonar were reeling and within three minutes conceded again.
MacDougall’s burst down the left wing produced a convincing finish from Nichol.
Wann was thwarted again on 38 minutes when his 25 yarder skimmed off the left post and went behind.
Nichol made it 5-0 five minutes from the break after he converted a penalty after he was levelled in the box.
Murray had the ball in the net again but he was adjudged offside as Bonar got to the break almost relieved to be trailing by just five.
Nichol was enjoying getting back on the scoring trail and within a few minutes of the resumption, he went close with a header and a 25 yard dig.
The game then went into a lengthy lull as Bonar won some much-needed respite.
Visiting defender David Munro became the only player cautioned on 74 minutes for a studs-up tackle.
Little of note then happened until Nichol was denied a fourth when his 87th minute ‘goal’ was ruled offside.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid was pleased with the way his side went about their business.
“We knew they were struggling to get a squad and it was important that we approached the game in the right manner and I though that is what he did, especially in the first half.
“We scored some good goals and it was good to be able the young guys a decent run.
“The game died a bit after the interval but we got the job done.”
Thurso – Gray, Stewart, Forbes (Mackintosh 64), Smith, Bremner, Ross (Petrie 49), Wann, Allan, Nichol, Murray, MacDougall.
Bonar Bridge – Wemyss, Munro, Clark, C. Mackay, Gilmour, Lewis, Smith (Carr 83), Clark, D. Mackay, Blackwood (Sinclair 63), Sutherland (Davidson 79).
Ref – Mr G. John.