Post by Brian Mackay on Feb 16, 2011 8:16:08 GMT -5
Thurso 2 V Golspie Sutherland 1 - report by Iain Grant
The Vikings are looking forward to their second cup final of the season after Saturday’s nervy victory over a never-say-die Golspie.
The home camp were relieved to hear the final whistle after seeing the firm advantage they held in the first half of this SWL Cup semi
evaporate.
Golspie posed only a sporadic threat before the break when they trailed to goals from Mark Nichol and Ross Allan.
But the visitors were boosted by Mark McKearnie’s 54th minute penalty goal and they went on to seriously test the Thurso defence.
With both former recent league champions out of contention for this year’s championship, their chances of glory rest with the remaining cups.
With a new-look Golspie still settling in, they looked vulnerable as Thurso enjoyed a powerful start.
On seven minutes, Lee MacDougall’s marvellous crossfield pass behind the defence had Nichol racing in on keeper Mike MacCallum only for his progress to be halted by a very dubious offside flag.
Undeterred, the striker was romping clear again a minute later when he collected Jamie MacKenzie’s assist before clipping a shot past the keeper for his 16th goal of the campaign.
Golspie came close to drawing level on 13 minutes when Chris Campbell’s inadvertent deflection of Jason Gunn’s attempt bobbled just wide.
The Vikings were further bolstered when they went two up on 26 minutes.
A miscue from Gunn allowed Allan unobstructed passage down the inside right channel and he cut infield before slotting past MacCallum.
Three minutes later, MacKenzie played in Kyle Ross who was thwarted by a brave block by MacCallum.
Allan should have wrapped up the tie for his side on 38 minutes when he again found himself in behind the defence and bearing down on MacCallum.
His earlier composure deserted him and his ill-advised standing chip
was all too easily reached by the keeper.
Golspie had the final chance of the half when Gunn headed wide after a corner had not been properly cleared.
The hosts’ spluttering start to the resumption was typified in the way they conceded the penalty.
The nippy Kevin Fraser had surged forward but was not posing an immediate threat to goal when he was upended from behind by young defender Chris Wann.
Thurso keeper Michael Gray dived the correct way but McKearnie’s spot-kick carried too much weight to keep it out.
Fraser was soon causing trouble again, ending an incisive break with a drive which whistled inches wide of the far post.
On 62 minutes, MacCallum conjured up the game’s highlight though it would have caused severe palpitations for the Golspie faithful.
The former Brora Rangers keeper was favourite to beat Nichol to a low, through-ball which ran through to his box.
But MacCallum’s improvised drag-back to beat the striker was a moment of magic.
Golspie’s combative midfield was by now not affording their opponents the time and space which they had in the first period.
Fraser went close again on 67 minutes after latching on to a long-range prompt from Iain Innes.
Gary MacGregor’s introduction from the bench to end a long spell out with injury helped Thurso’s cause.
On 79 minutes, Nichol’s blistering drive eluded the outstretched MacCallum and flashed past the far post.
A couple of minutes later, Nichol exchanged passes with Allan before forcing a reaction stop from MacCallum.
Ross looked set to net the follow-up but he pushed his shot just past.
Thurso sub Martin Sutherland also fully tested the keeper with a fierce effort in injury-time.
A far less tempestuous encounter than the recent league game resulted in bookings for Nichol and young Thurso sub Murray Mackintosh and Golspie’s Gunn.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid said: “I thought we were excellent in the first half. "We got off to a much better start than we did in the last game we played against them.
“Everything was looking good and then we seemed to drop off a bit and they came at us.
“I thought Gary was a bit of a calming influence for us when he came on and we had a couple of decent chances late on to kill them off.”
Thurso’ who have already won the NCL Cup, play Balintore in the SWL Cup final on March 5.
Thurso – Gray, Allan (Mackintosh 70), Wann (Sutherland 85), Smith, Bremner (MacGregor 63), Steven, Petrie, MacKenzie, Nichol, Ross, MacDougall.
Golspie Sutherland -- MacCallum, Smith, Duncan, Innes, MacKernie, Pullen, Campbell, Whyte (Melville 87), Nicolson, Gunn, Fraser. Subs (unused) – MacLaren and Sutherland.
Ref – Mr G. Elder.
The Vikings are looking forward to their second cup final of the season after Saturday’s nervy victory over a never-say-die Golspie.
The home camp were relieved to hear the final whistle after seeing the firm advantage they held in the first half of this SWL Cup semi
evaporate.
Golspie posed only a sporadic threat before the break when they trailed to goals from Mark Nichol and Ross Allan.
But the visitors were boosted by Mark McKearnie’s 54th minute penalty goal and they went on to seriously test the Thurso defence.
With both former recent league champions out of contention for this year’s championship, their chances of glory rest with the remaining cups.
With a new-look Golspie still settling in, they looked vulnerable as Thurso enjoyed a powerful start.
On seven minutes, Lee MacDougall’s marvellous crossfield pass behind the defence had Nichol racing in on keeper Mike MacCallum only for his progress to be halted by a very dubious offside flag.
Undeterred, the striker was romping clear again a minute later when he collected Jamie MacKenzie’s assist before clipping a shot past the keeper for his 16th goal of the campaign.
Golspie came close to drawing level on 13 minutes when Chris Campbell’s inadvertent deflection of Jason Gunn’s attempt bobbled just wide.
The Vikings were further bolstered when they went two up on 26 minutes.
A miscue from Gunn allowed Allan unobstructed passage down the inside right channel and he cut infield before slotting past MacCallum.
Three minutes later, MacKenzie played in Kyle Ross who was thwarted by a brave block by MacCallum.
Allan should have wrapped up the tie for his side on 38 minutes when he again found himself in behind the defence and bearing down on MacCallum.
His earlier composure deserted him and his ill-advised standing chip
was all too easily reached by the keeper.
Golspie had the final chance of the half when Gunn headed wide after a corner had not been properly cleared.
The hosts’ spluttering start to the resumption was typified in the way they conceded the penalty.
The nippy Kevin Fraser had surged forward but was not posing an immediate threat to goal when he was upended from behind by young defender Chris Wann.
Thurso keeper Michael Gray dived the correct way but McKearnie’s spot-kick carried too much weight to keep it out.
Fraser was soon causing trouble again, ending an incisive break with a drive which whistled inches wide of the far post.
On 62 minutes, MacCallum conjured up the game’s highlight though it would have caused severe palpitations for the Golspie faithful.
The former Brora Rangers keeper was favourite to beat Nichol to a low, through-ball which ran through to his box.
But MacCallum’s improvised drag-back to beat the striker was a moment of magic.
Golspie’s combative midfield was by now not affording their opponents the time and space which they had in the first period.
Fraser went close again on 67 minutes after latching on to a long-range prompt from Iain Innes.
Gary MacGregor’s introduction from the bench to end a long spell out with injury helped Thurso’s cause.
On 79 minutes, Nichol’s blistering drive eluded the outstretched MacCallum and flashed past the far post.
A couple of minutes later, Nichol exchanged passes with Allan before forcing a reaction stop from MacCallum.
Ross looked set to net the follow-up but he pushed his shot just past.
Thurso sub Martin Sutherland also fully tested the keeper with a fierce effort in injury-time.
A far less tempestuous encounter than the recent league game resulted in bookings for Nichol and young Thurso sub Murray Mackintosh and Golspie’s Gunn.
Thurso manager Stevie Reid said: “I thought we were excellent in the first half. "We got off to a much better start than we did in the last game we played against them.
“Everything was looking good and then we seemed to drop off a bit and they came at us.
“I thought Gary was a bit of a calming influence for us when he came on and we had a couple of decent chances late on to kill them off.”
Thurso’ who have already won the NCL Cup, play Balintore in the SWL Cup final on March 5.
Thurso – Gray, Allan (Mackintosh 70), Wann (Sutherland 85), Smith, Bremner (MacGregor 63), Steven, Petrie, MacKenzie, Nichol, Ross, MacDougall.
Golspie Sutherland -- MacCallum, Smith, Duncan, Innes, MacKernie, Pullen, Campbell, Whyte (Melville 87), Nicolson, Gunn, Fraser. Subs (unused) – MacLaren and Sutherland.
Ref – Mr G. Elder.