Thurso FC Season 2002/03 Thurso
won the treble!!!
(Thurso won the North Caledonian League, Morris
Newton and Football Times Cups)
Macleod IFA
North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 10th of August 2002
Thurso F.C.........1.........V Golspie Sutherland.................1...........
Thurso F.C Line-up - M.Gray, Reid, Warner, Baker(Sinclair
86), Bremner, Groat,
R.Sutherland, Morris, Mackenzie, Steven(MacGregor 60), Murray, MacDougall.
Goalscorer - Lee MacDougall
At Sir George's Park - 3 p.m kick-off
Other North Caledonian League results
Balintore 5 V Dornoch 2
Bonar Bridge 3 V Alness United 1
Bunillidh Thistle 2 V Invergordon 5
Tain St.Duffus 3 V Halkirk United 2
Macleod IFA North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 17th of August 2002
Invergordon...............5................V Thurso F.C..........1........
Thurso F.C Line-up - Mackay, Steven, Reid, Warner, Makhouli, Bremner, Sutherland
(Coghill 60), MacKenzie, MacGregor (Elder 60), Groat (Cannop 60), MacDougall.
Goalscorer - Terry Cannop
At Invergordon - 3 p.m kick-off
Match report by Iain Grant
Invergordon 5 V Thurso F.C 1 - Report by Iain Grant
Duncan Gray has taken over the reins at Thurso after manager Alistair Budge
called it a day following Saturday's game. Mr Budge, who has been with the club
since they started up in 1998, is taking a break though he has told the club he
will be available to help out with coaching sessions. Colin Chessor has also
been brought in to bolster the coaching set-up.
Mr Budge is keen to put to bed suggestions that he is to take on a new role at
The reshuffle came in the wake of the MSIS North Caledonian League tussle which
went steadily downhill after a promising start by the Vikings. The first 20
minutes had none of the hallmarks of a rout with Invergordon hardly in the
Thurso half until their opening goal. After four minutes, Martin MacGregor cut
out a decent chance for Lee MacDougall who was unable to hit the target from 12
yards, MacGregor was again to the fore after 11 minutes, making good ground
down the left before squaring to Jonathon Makhouli whose effort was too
straight to trouble 17-year-old keeper Steven Campbell. Two minutes later, the
young keeper almost paid the price for taking too long with a clearance from
the ground with MacDougall almost nipping in to score. Thurso's encouraging
start continued with Makhouli and Gavin Bremner combining to set up MacDougall
who shot well over the top.
Invergordon showed the killer touch with their first attack when Gary Watt
forged down the inside left channel and John Colquhon seized on his cut-back
with a 15 yard curling shot which gave keeper Brian Mackay no chance. The goal
dramatically changed the pattern of the game with Watt going close after 28
minutes.
Thurso though still retained a threat and Nigel MacKenzie and Bremner worked a
move which ended with
Andrew Morrison then missed a snip for the home side before they grabbed a
second after 33 minutes when Steven MacDonald netted with a neat flick over
Mackay after he had been put in the clear. The minute before half-time saw the
odds swing irretrievably Invergordon's way. MacDougall shot inches wide before
play swept upfield and the speedy Martyn Cooper raced clear before squaring for
Watt who accepted the easy chance. After the break, Invergordon were restricted
to a couple of long-range efforts until 64 minutes when Mackay pulled off an
astonishing save when he contrived to use his feet to scoop a Steven MacGregor
header over the bar.
Thurso were enlivened by a treble substitution and after 66 minutes Thurso
almost got one back when Terry Cannop raced on to long though-ball by
MacDougall. As he ran on and prepared for the shot, the ball got stuck under
the studs of the Thurso Thistle player and the chance was lost.
Thurso's Graham Reid and Tommy Campbell, of Invergordon, were booked following
a tangle in 71 minutes. Five minutes later, Invergordon got a fourth when
Colquhon broke clear and slotted past Mackay.
Iain Elder set up Cannop after 80 minutes but the striker's chip was just too
strong. Invergordon proceeded to grab a fifth through Steven MacGregor with
Thurso finally getting one back after 82 minutes when Elder's lay-off was swept
home from eight yards by Cannop.
Mr Budge was disappointed how the game ran away from his side. "We started
really well and had two really good chances to go ahead.
"Once they took the lead, it gave them a big lift and their third
just before the interval was a killer blow."
Mr Budge said the big difference between the sides was Invergordon's ruthless
streak in front of goal. "They had four chances in the first half and
scored three while we had four and scored none."
The Vikings travel to Tain on Saturday when they will be boosted by the
availability of their Pentland United contigent though Brian Gray is set to
miss out having aggravated a groin injury in Saturday's Highland Cup final.
Ross Sutherland is also a major injury doubt. There is better news about Shaun
Moar who trained on Tuesday and should be fit to reclaim his place in the middle
of defence while Alan Murray should return up front..
Thurso -- Mackay, Steven, Reid, Warner, Makhouli, Bremner, Sutherland (Coghill
60),
MacKenzie, MacGregor (Elder 60), Groat (Cannop 60), MacDougall.
Other North Caledonian League results
Balintore 1 V Golspie Sutherland 2
Dornoch 3 V Tain St.Duffus 0
Halkirk United 0 V Alness United 1
Macleod IFA North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 24th of August 2002
Tain St.Duffus..............1.................V Thurso F.C..........7........
Thurso F.C Line-up -- Gray , Baker, Reid, Moar,
MacKenzie, Makhouli (Cassidy 78),
Bremner, Warner, MacDougall (Groat 70), Morris, Murray (Coghill 78).
Goalscorers - Jonny Makhouli (2), Alan Murray, Kevin Morris (2), Gavin Bremner
and Luke Cassidy
At Tain - 3.00 p.m kick-off
Match report by Iain Grant
The Vikings
hit the goal trail on Saturday to post their biggest ever victory on Easter
Ross soil. The rout provided the perfect start for new manager Duncan Gray and
helped expunge the memory of the previous week's 5-1 reverse at Invergordon.
Thurso's starting 3-5-2 line-up for the MSIS North Caledonian tussle showed
five changes with Alan Murray and Kevin Morris deployed as the twin-headed
strikeforce.
The visitors endured a frustrating opening as they saw a spate of decent
opportunities go abegging before Jonathon Makhouli's opener in 24 minutes.
Defender Shaun Moar, back at the heart of the defence, triggered the first
attack in three minutes with his surge forward ending with Gavin Bremner
flashing a 20 yearder narrowly past. Kevin Morris threatened after three
minutes when he shrugged off several defenders and shot only for defender Keith
Dingwall to get back to block his netbound effort. Morris, Nigel MacKenzie and
Alan Murray all had attempts on goals before Tain manufactured their first raid
after 16 minutes when David Grant was robbed by Moar as he shaped to shoot.
Four minutes later, a defensive blunder allowed MacKenzie to feed
Tain keeper David Matheson then had a cracking save from
On the half-hour mark, MacKenzie made an early claim to the miss of the season
when he was presented with a gift in front of an unguarded goal and succeeded
in rolling the ball against a post. The second came after 36 minutes when
Bremner tried his luck from 25 yards with Matheson misreading the flight of the
ball as it sped below him into the corner of the net.
Morris hit a post before Tain passed up a great opportunity in the final minute
of the half when they failed to exploit a three on one allowed Bremner to get
back to clear the danger. The home side continued to ride their luck after the
turaround with MacKenzie unlucky hot to score with an angled shot and Morris heading
straight at Matheson from an inviting MacDougall cross.
Half-time - Tain 0 V Thurso 2
Matheson pulled off an amazing stop to deny Murray after 49 minutes and four
minutes later did well to get down to hold a rifling effort from MacDougall.
Kenny Fraser passed up a rare opening for Tain just before they lost a third on
the hour-mark with MacDougall doing the spadework with Makhouli applying the
finish with a diving header. Visiting keeper Michael Gray was a virtual
spectator but had to look lively after 65 minutes to backpedal to touch a
wicked free-kick from Martin Ross over the bar.
Fifteen minutes from time, an inswinging corner from Bremner was met early by
Fraser then had apurple spell seeing one shot just miss the target and then
creating his side's goal after 84 minutes. Fraser made space for himself and
saw his raking shot parried by Gray with team-mate Colin Burry on hand to net
the rebound.
That sparked a backlash from the Vikings with Morris grabbing a brace in two
minutes. The first after 86 minutes was created by Kevin Warner's harrying of a
defender with the ball breaking to Morris who converted from 12 yards out.
Bremner and Mackenzie then combined to tee up Morris for his second from half
the distance.
Thurso's storming finish then saw Matheson save
bravely from Bremner after 89 minutes. The seventh goal arrived in injury time
with Murray Coghill causing havoc dwn the right before whipping in a cross
which fellow substitute Luke Cassidy got in ahead of three defenders to crack
home.
New manager Gray was understandably delighted with the result and the
performance. He said: "We created a lot of chances and it was a bit
concerning early on that we could not put any away. "After
turning round only two up, it was satisfying to see the goals go in the second
half."
Mr Gray said all the squad had played a part but singled out Jonathon Makhouli
for his display in the middle of the park.
With the manager heading for a three week holiday in
Thurso -- Gray , Baker, Reid, Moar, MacKenzie,
Makhouli (Cassidy 78),
Bremner, Warner, MacDougall (Groat 70), Morris, Murray (Coghill 78).
Other North Caledonian League results
Alness United 2 V Bunillidh Thistle 1
Balintore 4 V Bonar 1
Dornoch 1 V Invergordon 5
Halkirk United 2 V Golspie Sutherland 3
Macleod IFA North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 31st of August 2002
Alness United..................0.............V Thurso
F.C..............3........
Thurso F.C Line-up - Gray, Baker, Warner, Reid, MacKenzie, Sutherland
(Inrig 70), Bremner, Makhouli, MacDougall, Morris (Groat 74), Murray (Cassidy
74).
Goalscorers - Alan Murray, Lee MacDougall and Kevin Morris
In Alness - kick-off - 3 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
Thurso
notched up their second win in a row on the hoof with this emphatic MSIS North
Caledonian League success on a pitch which has proved a less-than-happy hunting
ground in the past. Goals from Lee MacDougall and Kevin Morris added to Alan
Murray's first half strike to finish off the home side, who
ended the game with nine men.
With Shaun Moar injured, Kevin Warner took over the sweeper's role with Ross
Sutherland fit to take his place in the engine room at the heart of the three
man midfield and Nigel MacKenzie and MacDougall operating on the flanks.
A warm afternoon with a breeze blowing across the park saw
the sides play out a cagey opening 20 minutes.
Alness playmaker Gavin Hayden was a lively presence and after eight minutes had
crossed for Brendan McGarvey to head narrowly wide. Hayden was to threaten as
he darted in from the left and send several efforts which troubled Michael Gray
but curled just wide of goal.
After 15 minutes, Jonny Makhouli crafted a superb 50 yard diagonal pass to
MacKenzie who squandered the opportunity with an early shot which went yards
past. Shrotly afterwards, Makhouli and Murray exchanged passes to set up Morris
who failed to trouble Robertson. The opener came on 21 minutes when
Half-time - Alness United 0 V Thurso F.C 1
Alness came back strongly with Hayden going close with another long-ranger
before they almost conceded a second on the half-hour mark. A breakaway saw
MacDougall proved a major thorn in the side for the home side after the break.
He was unlucky not to score three minutes after the break when his right-foot
effort whizzed inches over the bar, with Robertson beaten.
He had better luck with an hour played when he and Gavin Bremner started a move
which ended with
Morris got the third after 73 minutes when he found himself in the clear and
lashed the ball under Robertson into the net. The game fizzled out until a late
flare-up saw Hayden mar what had been a five-star performance by getting
himself sent off for an angry blast at the referee.
Stand-in managers Gus Mackay and Jocky Begg were happy with both the victory
and the display of their side. Mr Mackay believed the youthful Alness side had
played better football then Invergordon had when beating the Vikings 5-1 a
fortnight before. "The difference was that Invergordon put away just about
every chance that came their way," he said.
Mr Mackay was particularly pleased with the performance of Thurso's wide men
Mackenzie and MacDougall. On Saturday, Thurso will be without Cassidy for their
home tussle with Bunillidh Thistle. The young striker is unavailable though
Moar could return if he recovers from a nagging back injury.The match at Sir
Georges Park kicks off at 3 p.m.
Thurso v Alness -- Gray, Baker, Warner, Reid, MacKenzie, Sutherland (Inrig 70),
Bremner,
Makhouli, MacDougall, Morris (Groat 74), Murray (Cassidy 74).
Other North Caledonian League results
Halkirk United 3 V Bunillidh Thistle 0
Tain St.Duffus 0 V Balintore 0
Bonar Bridge 3 V Invergordon 2
Macleod IFA
North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 7th of September 2002
Thurso F.C.............3............V Bunillidh
Thistle...............1..........
Goalscorers - Jonny Makhouli (2) and Lee MacDougall
At Sir George's Park, Thurso - kick-off - 3 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
The
armchair fans missed out on Saturday in a MSIS North Caledonian League match
bathed in sunshine which produced no shortage of sparkling play. Thurso were
well in charge throughout but led by just a single goal for 70 minutes and
there was always the chance that Bunillidh could pull one back.
They eventually did late on but by then Johnnie Makhouli had added to his first
half strike and Lee MacDougall had added a third. Thistle pinned their colours
to the mast from the outset. They packed their defence and charged their
midfield with harrying and hassling and working back to provide cover. Their
attacking threat was non-existent in a first half when visiting keeper Adam
Bokas was given little respite as the Vikings mounted wave after wave of
attacks. Bunillidh started without the talismatic Billy Cowie whose ankle
injury reduced his involvement to playing the last quarter-of-an-hour in a
striking role.
The home side were guilty of over-elaborating early on and soon found a more
direct approach more fruitful. The hard-working Alan Murray created the first
shooting opportunity after 12 minutes with his lay-off seeing Bokas gather
Makhouli's drive at the second attempt. The same trio was involved two minutes
later when
After 28 minutes,
Bunillidh's luck finally ran out in 32 minutes when
Had Thurso scored again before the interval, it could have opened the
floodgates but Bunillidh continued to make life difficult. Makhouli had a
fierce effort beaten out by Bokas and the keeper was then extended by a Graham
Reid shot, with
Thurso 1 V Bunillidh 0
After absorbing almost non-stop pressure, Bunillidh
contrived to turn the tables early in the second half when they manufactured
acouple of decent chances. Good work out wide by Alan Whitelaw teed up Malcolm
Cowie for an angled drive which produced a quality save Michael Gray. Whitelaw
was the instigator of the second move which ended with Kevin Macleod sending in
a 20 yard shot on target which was rather more comfortably dealt with by the
keeper.
It proved a brief flurry with Thurso soon back on the offensive with MacDougall
forcing an acrobatic save from Bokas and then Murray going close. Morris was
unable to find the target after 66 minutes after an inviting cross from Baker.
The roll call of near things was producing in the home camp frustration mixed
with the fear that all the good work could be undone by a sudden counter.
This was assuaged after 70 minutes with the arrival of the second goal whch was
created and scored by MacDougall. His cross from the right broke to Nigel
Mackenzie whose touch inside saw Morris's shot going wide before it was
deflected home by MacDougall.
Within four minutes, Thurso were celebrating again when a short corner saw Ross
Sutherland's cross break to Makhouli who lashed the ball in from 12 yards.
Bunillidh refused to drop their heads and their perseverance was rewarded after
81 minutes when Fraser Hutchinson netted with a cracking, rising shot.
The final chance of the match fell to MacKenzie who fnished off a bit of
trickery down the left with a rasping effort which the over-worked Bokas
blocked bravely. A good, all-round display by the Vikings
which puts them joint top of the league with Golspie.
Warner, Makhouli and Murray were their star turns for Thurso with the poor
strike-rate the only downside to their performance. This Saturday afternoon,
they are at home to Balintore.
Baker and MacDougall are both attending a wedding but defender Shaun Moar and
striker Luke Cassidy are set to come backinto the
reckoning. Saturday's match kicks off at 3 p.m.
Thurso v Bunillidh -- Gray, Baker (Sinclair 73), Warner, Reid, Inrig
(Sutherland 73),
Makhouli, MacKenzie, Bremner, Morris (Macleod 78), Murray, MacDougall.
Referee -- Mr G. Bain, Wick.
Other North Caledonian League and cup results
Port Services Cup 1st Round
Invergordon 1 V Alness United 3
Balintore 1 V Bonar Bridge 1 (5-4 on pens to Balintore a.e.t)
North Caledonian League
Dornoch 1 V Golspie Sutherland 3
Halkirk United 6 V Tain St.Duffus 3
Macleod IFA North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 14th of September 2002
Thurso F.C.............1............V Balintore................0.........
Goalscorer - Graeme Reid
At Sir George's Park, Thurso - kick-off - 3 p.m
Other North Caledonian League results
Bonar Bridge 2 V Tain 1
Dornoch 1 V Bunillidh Thistle 0
Golspie Sutherland 0 V Alness United 2
Halkirk 6 V Invergordon 0
Port Services Cup Second Round
Saturday 21st of September 2002
Thurso F.C.............2............V Golspie
Sutherland..............0...........
Goalscorers - Kevin Morris and Graeme Reid
At Sir George's Park, Thurso - kick-off - 3 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
Second half
strikes from Kevin Morris and Graeme Reid on Saturday earned Thurso their
passage through to the semi-finals of the Port Services Cup. It was anything
but plain sailing in a scrappy first half in which the the visitors could count
themselves unlucky not to be ahead. But after Morris opened Thurso's account in
54 minutes, they took a stranglehold on the game and ended up winning with
something to spare.
Golspie's George Groat, who started the North Caley campaign with the Vikings,
was gifted the first half-chance on 25 minutes when a misplaced pass put him
free down the right but the striker was unable to get within shooting range. A
minute later, David Niven cut the ball back for Ian Innes to fire in a menacing
drive which was blocked before it could trouble keeper Michael Gray.
For the majority of the half, Thurso lacked a cutting edge with a lack of
movement off the ball, especially in forward positions, blunting their
attacking threat. They had to wait until 28 minutes for their first attack of
any worth when a rampaging run from Lee MacDougall almost paid dividends. An
emergency clearance from a covering defender was required to defuse the danger
on the edge of the box as MacDougall shaped to shoot.
The 10 minutes before the break saw Golspie take charge with indifferent
defending contributing to two gilt-edged chances. After 35 minutes, Gray could
not gather a spiralling corner under pressure from several opponents. His
palmed clearance fell to Gavin Dearie on the edge of the box whose low shot
through a ruck of players was going in just inside the
right-hand post before MacDougall made a goal-line clearance.
A minute from the break, the usually reliable Shaun Moar twice blundered to
present first Gary Reid and then Andrew Laing with clear sights of goal. A lack
of decisiveness on the part of the Golspie duo meant neither profited as they
played each other in without either of them getting in a shot. In between these
opportunities, a Morris thunderbolt looked destined to break the deadlock
before it was blocked by Robert Benson who needed lengthy treatment before he
could resume.
Half-time - Thurso 0 V Golspie 0
Soon after the turnaround ,Thurso showed signs of what was to come with a
tantalising far-post cross from Nigel Mackenzie going unrequited before Johnnie
Makhouli's snap-shot invited Ian Young's first save of the match.
The opening goal came out of the blue with Morris taking possession 25 yards
out and wrongfooting a defender before cracking a firm shot low past Young.
The home side were looking far more comfortable with the passing crisper and
the man on the ball being given more options. The second goal came on 65
minutes from a free-kick wide out on the left. Gavin Bremner's whipped in an
awkward shot which Young did well to keep out on his near post. The keeper was
however powerless to prevent Graeme Reid lashing home the rebound from six
yards.
With the tie as good as settled, Golspie indulged in the dark side of their
game with Benson's lucky to escape with a booking for his scything tackle on
Bremner after 69 minutes.
Two minutes later, Thurso almost added to their tally when Morris's head-flick
from a free-kick ended with the ball deflecting off the head off Gary Reid and
Young leaping high to his right to prevent the own goal. Makhouli then was very
unlucky with a rising shot which drifted narrowly over.
Golspie responded with an angled drive from Innes was shepherded past the post
by Gray with the keeper then doing very well to keep out a dangerous effort
from Substitute Russell McMorran. In between,Graeme
Reid picked up the second booking of the afternoon for a late challenge on
keeper Young after 80 minutes.
Manager Duncan Gray, newly returned from a holiday in
"We struggled in the first half when they went close a couple of times,
manily through us getting ourselves into trouble. "We
were much stronger in the second half and It's always
good to come away with a win against a quality side like Golspie."
Thurso are away to Balintore in the semi-final afteer the Easter Ross men
racked up an impressive 6-2 win at Tain.
Mr Gray has a few problems for Saturday's home MSIS North Caley match against
Dornoch. Makhouli and MacDougall are unavailable while there are injury doubts
over Morris (back) and Ross Sutherland (leg). Striker Alan Murray is set to
return for the match, which kicks off at 3 p.m.
Thurso v Golspie -- Gray, Moar, Warner, Reid, Mackenzie,
Sutherland, Inrig,
Bremner (Baker 72), MacDougall (Forbes 85), Makhouli (Cassidy 85), Morris.
Ref: Mr D. McWilliams,
Other North Caledonian League and cup results
Port Services Cup 2nd Round
Tain St.Duthus 2 V Balintore 6
Halkirk United 5 V Dornoch 4
Alness United 5 V Bunillidh Thistle 2
North Caledonian League
Bonar Bridge 1 V Invergordon 7
Macleod IFA North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 28th of September 2002
Thurso F.C............5.............V Dornoch................2.........
Goalscorers - Kevin Morris (3) , Alan Murray (1) and
Lee MacDougall (1)
At Sir George's Park, Thurso - kick-off - 3 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
Thurso's
fifth MSIS North Caley win on the bounce was achieved largely on the strength
of a glorious first half display when they swept all before them. Five goals
was fair reward for their craft and endeavour which had their opponents in
danger of sustaining the kind of drubbing which has been all too familiar over
the past couple of seasons.
But this Dornoch side is made of sterner stuff and it is to their credit that
they battled back to score two without conceding any to give a more respectable
look to the final score. The visitors were first to show with Robbie Gillanders
breaking through but being closed down at edge of box with two minutes gone.
Thurso then gave a hint of what was to come when Gavin Bremner's corner was met
on volley by Graeme Reid with his shot well struck but directed straight at
keeper Mackenzie. On four minutes, Thurso were ahead when Willie Inrig freed
Nigel Mackenzie down the right wing and his low cross beat was summarily
dispatched by Kevin Morris from six yards.
Dornoch's Scott Mackain is emerging as one of the league's top frontmen and he
almost equalised when he created space for himself only to shoot weakly from
the edge of the box. Gillanders was well off target with a speculative
long-range immediately before Bremner threaded a superb ball through to
Macdougall whose powerful shot eluded MacKenzie before crashing off the
underside of the bar and rebounded to safety.
Dornoch were under the cosh for most of the first half but they continued to
cause problems on the break . In 18 minutes, a
free-kick caused panic in the Vikings' defence with the ball breaking to David
Horseburgh who was unable to get his 12 yard shot on target.
Thurso were well on top with Morris miscuing a header and Bremner just missing
out with a volley before the second arrived on 25 minutes. A throw-in to Shaun
Moar resulted in Willie Inrig feeding Morris who ran through to score from 12
yards.
MacKain continued to be a lively presence and in the space of three minutes he
forced Michael Gray to make two fine stops.
Normal service resumed on 33 minutes when Alan Murray scored a belter of a goal
when his right-foot shot from just outside the box beat MacKenzie all ends-up.
Two minutes later, it was 4-0 when Macdougall met a Nigel Mackenzie cross from the right on the volley with the keeper again
taken out of the equation.
Morris was in on goal after 40 minutes but was denied his hat-trick by the
outstretched leg of keeper MacKenzie. It kept the striker at bay for less than
a minute when he profited from good lead-up work from Nigel MacKenzie. After he
created space for himself for a strike which the keeper parried, Morris was on
hand to bury the rebound.
Half-time - Thurso 5 V Dornoch 0
Dornoch refused to buckle and five minutes after the resumption MacKain drilled
a glorious shot into left hand corner for a well-deserved goal.
Thurso responded with a dangerous foray down the right from Nigel Mackenzie
ending with his cross narrowly failing to find a finishing touch from
Macdougall.
Dornoch got a second back after 58 minutes when that man MacKain's dart into
box was halted when he was upended by Martin Baker. The striker took the
spot-kick himself and duly tucked it away.
Thurso were denied a penalty after 61 minutes when Inrig appeared to be impeded
in the box but referee Willie Sinclair waved play on. Keeper MacKenzie then did
well to deny his name-sake after a defensive mix-up and then made a great block
from a MacDougall header. Substitute Luke Cassidy was next to threaten only to be thwarted as keeper MacKenzie ran out to
clear. In the closing 10 minutes, MacKenzie, Murray and Cassidy all passed up
half-chances as the Dornoch goal came under sustained pressure.
Vikings manager Duncan Gray was delighted with the first half display though
frustrated they could not reproduce the same form after the rbeak.
"Half-time did us no favours," he said. "We were ripping them
apart in the first half but unfortunately we could not keep up the momentum. "There's no doubt we'll have to give our best for the
full 90 minutes against Balintore on Saturday."
Thurso take a break from league action when they travel to Balintore looking to
book a place in the final of the Port Services Cup. Midfielder Johnnie Makhouli
returns while Michael Gray, Murray and Sutherland are expected to shake off
minor knocks.
Thurso v Dornoch: Gray, Moar, Warner, Reid, Baker, Bremner (Steven 80),
MacDougall, Mackenzie (Forbes 82), Inrig, Murray, Morris (Cassidy 45)
Ref: Mr W. Sinclair.
Other North Caledonian League results
Balintore 1 V Halkirk United 0
Bunillidh Thistle 2 V Bonar Bridge 2
Golspie Sutherland 9 V Tain St.Duthus 2
Invergordon 1 V Alness United 2
Port Services Cup Semi-Final
Saturday 5th of October 2002
Balintore............1..............V Thurso F.C...............0..........
At
Match report by Iain Grant
The outcome
of Saturday's semi-finals in the Port Services Cup buried the chances of the
first all-Caithness
The match in Balintore, which was spoiled by a strong wind, looked at an early
stage destined to be settled by the first goal. A tight affair with chances at
a premium was decided by a 59th minute header from defender Darren Mackay. The
Vikings were unable to capitalise on the sending off of David Calderwood a
minute after the goal.
Late pressure looked likely to fashion the equaliser as Balintore clung on to
their narrow advantage. A 83rd minute cross from
substitute Ross Sutherland was met by a solid header across goal by Kevin
Morris into the path of Graeme Reid. The lead-up had the hallmarks of the only
goal in the league game but this time the defender's right-foot effort spun
agonisingly past the post. What was the visitors' best chance of the game was
followed three minutes from time with their final push when Sutherland just
failed to connect with a Gavin Bremner free-kick from the right.
Kicking off with the wind on their backs, Thurso were quickly on the attack.
After five minutes, a Lee MacDougall corner was laid off by Morris to Shaun
Moar whose firm shot was blocked. Nigel Mackenzie was then unable to exploit a
half-clearance from keeper Edward Shearer when he palmed away a kevin Warner cross. After 10 minutes, Morris shot wide after
being set up by Alan Murray before Balintore gave the visitors a scare when
Gordon Lowe went desparately close with a header.
Both teams struggled to seriously trouble the respective keepers with Mackenzie
skying a shot over the bar and Mackay showing his danger in the air by heading
a corner narrowly wide. After Morris's 30th minute booking for dissent, Moar
earned brownie points in defusing an attack when Balintore broke in numbers.
Morris and Warner both sent efforts over the top before Willie Inrig forced the
first real ave of the game two minutes from the interval.
Half-time - Balintore 0 V Thurso 0
Shearer was the first keeper in action after the turnaround when he had to look
smart to touch Reid's 15 yard shot over the bar and then keep out a raking
drive from Bremner.
Michael Gray was then tested by a Paul Skinner shot before the home side got
the crucial breakthrough. Thurso lived to regret committing two players to
defend a free-kick wide out on the right and leave the posts unguarded when
Mackay towered above everyone to plant a firm header wide of Gray.
Calderwood was red-carded on the hour-mark when an assistant referee spotted an
off-the-ball incident in which the Balintore man swung a boot at Reid.
Thurso almost got on terms in 61 minutes when MacDougall sent
A minute later, Keith Dinwoodie almost gave Balintore a two goal cushion with
Gray producing the save of the day when he dived to his right to turn away the
midfielder's 25 yard screamer.
Thurso manager Duncan Gray had no complaints about the result but was disappointed
by how his side lost their way after a bright start through getting sucked into
a war of attrition with very physical opponents. Thurso return to league action
on Saturday with what is sure to be a tough derby tussle at Halkirk.
Thurso v Balintore: Gray, Moar, Warner (Makhouli 70), Reid, MacDougall (Cassidy
80),
Bremner Baker, Mackenzie, Inrig (Sutherland 73), Murray, Morris.
Other NCL and Cup fixtures played on the day
Port Services Cup Semi-Finals
Alness United 2 V Halkirk United 0
Balintore 1 V Thurso 0
North Caledonian League
Bonar Bridge 0 V Golspie Sutherland 4
Bunillidh Thistle 1 V Dornoch 2
Tain St.Duthus 1 V Invergordon 3
North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 12th of October 2002
Halkirk United..............2............V Thurso F.C..............2...........
Goalscorers - Lee MacDougall and Nigel MacKenzie
At Recreation Park, Halkirk - kick-off - 12.30 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
Two goals
at the death ensured the honours were shared in Saturday's first
Halkirk failed to make the most an early breakthrough scored by Colin Munro and
were fortunate to be still ahead before Lee MacDougall struck midway through
the second half. A grandstand finale saw the Vikings score what looked like a
last minute winner from Nigel Mackenzie until they dropped their guard to allow
substitute Gordie Steven to grab a last-gasp equaliser.
The teams conspired to produce an entertaining 20 minutes when the standard of
play was well above what could be expected on a miserable day when a swirling
wind was allied to frequent heavy downpours. Within the first minute, slackness
in the Halkirk defence presented Kevin Morris with the chance to try a
long-range snap-shot which did not miss the target by much.
Halkirk drew ahead on two minutes when good play down the right flank saw
Martin Bain's well-flighted cross land perfectly for Russell Beattie. Thurso
keeper Michael Gray got to the striker's precise downward header but was unable
to prevent Colin Munro pouncing to net the rebound from just outside the line
of the far post.
The goalmouth thrills continued unabated with Morris inches away from applying
the killer touch to Gavin Bremner's third minute wicked driven free-kick from
the right. Gray was then relieved to see Derek Munro's low shot flash past his
left post. Thurso looked certain to square things up after 12 minutes when
Morris rose to meet MacDougall's cross only to head inches wide.
Thurso continued to look the more dangerous with United
defender John Martin relieved to escape unpunished when Willie Inrig's surge
into the box ended with a driven cross which hit the defender on an arm. There
was an undoubted derby feel to the match with referee Graham Bain generous in
not taking action against several unsavoury tackles, notably Keith Blair on
Morris and Alan Sutherland on Beattie.
After the lively start, the game fell into a quiet spell in the second quarter
though Halkirk keeper Mark Swanson disntiguished himself when he kept out Kevin
Warner's close-range header from a Bremner centre. Both sides had half-chances
to score in the dying embers of the half. Blair and Colin Munro combined well
to unsettle the visiting defence with Gray at one point in the attack stranded
in front of the ball on the edge of his box. The keeper did well to get back to
pounce on the ball to deny Derek Munro who was poised to score. Another Bremner
free-kick then caused panic-stations when Swanson lost a high ball at his far
post but managed to get back to clear the danger under strong pressure from
Morris.
Half-time - Halkirk 1 V Thurso 0
Halkirk were under the cosh for long periods after the break when Thurso were
to rue a clutch of missed opportunities. Early in the half, Luke Cassidy and
Morris both blasted shots over the bar after MacDougall had carved out decent
chances for the striking duo. In between, Derek Munro was booked for a foul on
Martin Baker.
This triggered a bout of hostilities which saw Halkirk's Paul MacCallum and
Baker booked during separate incidents and Warner hobbling off after being the
victim of an ugly challenge.
After 67 minutes, Morris and Cassidy set up MacDougall who wasted the
gilt-edged opening with a wild shot.
MacDougall atoned soon after when he equalised from a corner with a shot which
evaded a clutch of bodies in the six yard box.
Halkirk threatened fitfully on the break with one such raid on 72 minutes
seeing Beattie's effort beat Gray only for Shaun Moar to execute a goal-line
clearance. Mackenzie then shot wide from good position before Bremner's
stinging effort on 80 minutes was palmed over the bar by Swanson. Sustained
pressure saw Morris shoot over before MacKenzie's 88th less-than-convincing
shot from the edge of the boc eluded Swasnon's grasp and rolled over the line.
Beattie was cautioned for dissent before the final action saw Halkirk mount one
last despearte attack after MacDougall lost possession. Halkirk substitute Mark
Munro sparked off the attack from deep in his own half with his lung-bursting run
ending with him picking out Steven with a fine pass. With the Thurso defence
posted missing, Steven ran through and slotted the ball past Gray to win a
share of the spoils for his side.
Viking manager Duncan Gray was happy with the general display of his side,
though frustrated with their poor strike rate. "We had a lot of the play,
especially in the second half when we put them under a fair bit of pressure. "It was frustrating that we went so long without
scoring and it looked like it was going to be one of those days. "Having
gone ahead, it was a bit of a sickener to lose two points by the way we
conceded the equaliser right at the end."
Graeme Reid is available for Saturday's home league match versus
Halkirk: Swanson, Gunn, Blair, Bain, Martin, C. Munro, Henderson, MacCallum,
Dunnett (M. Munro 83), D. Munro, Beattie. Sub (unused) --
Elder.
Thurso: Gray, Warner (Sutherland 51), Baker, Moar, Sutherland, Bremner,
Mackenzie,
Inrig, Cassidy (Steven 83), Morris, MacDougall. Sub (unused)
-- Forbes.
Ref: Mr G. Bain, Wick.
Other NCL scores
Alness United 5 V Tain St.Duthus 2
Bonar Bridge 2 V Dornoch 7
Bunillidh Thistle V Golspie Sutherland - (Off)
Invergordon 1 V Balintore 1
North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 19th of October 2002
Thurso F.C............5.............V Bonar Bridge............1.........
Goalscorers - Kevin Morris (2), Nigel MacKenzie (2) and Mark Nicholl (1)
At Sir George's Park, Thurso - kick-off - 3.00 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
This MSIS
North Caledonian tussle defied logic as the visitors somehow survived an early
bombardment to harbour hopes of pulling off a shock before diappearing from the
radar in the latter stages. Bonar somehow managed to ship just two goals in an
opening quarter-of-an-hour when they should have been holed well below the
water-line. That they did not is down to a combination of dogged defending and
feckless finishing. Two nil down, the visitors contrived to get one back from
the penalty spot and soon afterwards had the temerity to almost conjure an
equaliser. Thurso paid for dropping the work-rate as Bonar enjoyed decent
spells before a disastrous last 10 minutes when they leaked three goals.
A bitterly cold day at Sir Georges Park saw the visitors arrive with none of
their 14 squad being listed with a Bonar address.
Two minutes later, Lee MacDougall provided further menace
with Bonar defender Robert Macleod doing exceptionally well to clear the
danger. It was turning into something of a feeding frenzy with Mackenzie
dancing his way into the box and firing just wide after seven minutes. Kevin
Morris was then denied twice in quick succession, his first netbound shot from
a Mackenzie cross cannoning off a defender to safety and a rocket volley
missing the target by inches.
Morris had better luck after 15 minutes when Luke Cassidy latched on to a slack
pass out of defence. Macleod managed to get a block on Cassidy's run on goal
but the ball fell to Morris who rifled a left-foot shot into the net.
The one-way traffic continued with Mackenzie missing a decent effort and
Morris's header producing an excellent stop by keeper Stephen Munro. Thurso's
comfort zone was rudely breached after 23 minutes when the lively Ewan Dance
made the most of what looked a decidedly unpromising position. Chasing a long
ball down the right flank with no support, he showed good pace and control to
wriggle inside of Kevin Warner whose attempted recovery saw him upend Dance in
the box. Warner was booked and then watched as Dance calmly slotted the ball to
the left-hand corner.
Five minutes later, Dance passed up an excellent chance to equalise when he
rounded Shaun Moar only to weakly lob into the grateful arms of keeper Michael
Gray.
An error-strewn Thurso performance for the remainder of the half ensured they
earned a tongue-lashing from manager Duncan Gray at the interval. It could have
been worse had Michael Gray not shown good reactions to keep out a long-ranger
from Andy Murray in injury time.
Thurso 2 V Bonar Bridge 1
A low-key start to the second period saw Cassidy's shot-on-the-turn after 48
minutes being beaten away by Macleod. Gavin Bremner just missed the target with
a header from Inrig's looping cross shortly keeper before Munro was forced to
retire hurt after 65 minutes. Thurso struggled to capitalise from the resultant
reshuffle with Graeme Reid heading over and Morris then missing a decent
chanceafter being set up by substitute Mark Nichol.
The third goal finally arrived after 80 minutes when Morris rose to head home
Bremner's cross.
Gray was in action again to turn away a stinging shot from Macleod before
Nichol made it 4-1 after 84 minutes. Morris did the spadework with Nichol
looking to have lost the chance only to get to Ross's parry and net from an
acute angle.
Mackenzie looked several yards offside when he met Bremner's through-ball to
run through and score four minutes from time.
Thurso face a tough task tomorrow when they travel to play Golspie in a
top-of-the-table encounter. Golspie are on a hot streak and go into the game on
the back of a 6-1 rout of holders Invergordon on Saturday.
Midfielder Johnnie Makhouli is set to return for the Vikings.
Thurso: Gray, Warner, Reid, Moar, Sutherland, Bremner, Mackenzie, Inrig,
Cassidy (Nichol 68), Morris, MacDougall (Forbes). Sub
(unused) -- Baker.
Ref: Mr G. Bain, Wick.
Other NCL Fixtures played
Alness United 3 V Balintore 1
Dornoch 3 V Halkirk United 2
Golspie Sutherland 6 V Invergordon 1
Tain St.Duthus 2 V Bunillidh Thistle 2
North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 26th of October 2002
Golspie Sutherland............0..........V Thurso F.C.............0............
At Golspie - kick-off - 3.00 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
The home camp were the happier to settle for a share of the spoils in
Saturday's top-of-the-table MSIS North Caledonian clash. Thurso enjoyed the
bulk of the goal-scoring opportunities in an entertaining tussle played on a surprisingly
fair day. Alness were perhaps best pleased with the top two dropping two points
apiece to leave the Easter Ross outfit handily placed for a strong title push.
The early action saw Gavin Bremner's corner cause confusion in the Golspie box
with keeper Ian Young ending up making a hurried clearance with his feet. After
eight minutes. Nigel Mackenzie did well to win ball on left with his cross
resulting in half-hearted claims for handball in box. A minute later, the first
decent move of the match saw Willie Inrig and Kevin Morris combine to set up
Alan Murray who side-footed just wide from 18 yards.
Golspie responded with efforts from Gary Reid and Jamie MacLeod which visiting
keeper Michael Gray watched clear his bar.
A Thurso break out of defence after 15 minutes ended with
A minute later Alan Sutherland's header from a Bremner corner was cleared off
the line by Darren Pullen.
Golspie were next to threaten when former Thurso player Geordie Groat's
knock-on to Macleod left Graeme Reid having to make up a lot of ground to make
the covering tackle at the edge of box. It was the start of a useful spell for
Golspie with Groat failing to find the target with a free header at the back
post and Pullen then putting Groat clear only for the latter to be the victim
of a marginal offside call.
Thurso hit back in 26 minutes when Morris tee-ed up Bremner to shoot just over
with Bremner then fully extending Young to keep out his well-struck free-kick.
Gray saw little emergency action though in 31 minutes he did well to hold on at
his back post to a wicked free-kick from Pullen.
Ten minutes from half-time, Golspie's Gary Reid shot just over with a raking
effort from the edge of the box and then team-mate Ian Innes wasted a
half-chance in the box. The final action of the half saw
Half-time - Golspie 0 V Thurso 0
Morris had the first opening of the second half when he headed an Alan
Sutherland cross straight at Young. Bremner made space for himself after 52
minutes but could not conjure up the shot to trouble Young.
Macleod turned well in the Thurso box in 72 minutes but he was was unable to
get in a shot. Morris then threatened twice in quick succession, with his first
shot lacking power and his second well hit and Young very relieved to see it
blocked by a covering defender After 80 minutes, Murray fopraged down the right
and centred for Nigel MacKenzie to crack in a left-foot shot which was kept out
by an outstretched leg of Young.
Thurso looked the likelier in the closing stages with
Afterwards, Vikings manager Duncan Gray was satisfied with the display and felt
his side could have sneaked the win. He said: "We probably would have
accepted a point before the game but on the run of play, I think we could have
come away with a victory. "We did not not give
them many looks at goal and we were looking could going forward and their
keeper had three very good saves."
On Saturday afternoon, the Vikings bid to keep top spot when they entertain
Tain at Sir Georges Park (kick-off: 2.30 p.m.)
Midfielder Jonnie Makhouli was fit to train this week and comes back into the
squad, as does Sean Forbes while Kevin Warner is expected to shake off a knock.
Thurso v Golspie: Gray, Moar, A. Sutherland, Reid, Warner, Bremner, R
Sutherland,
Mackenzie, Inrig, Murray, Morris. Subs (unused) :
Cassidy, Nichol, Begg
Other Fixtures Played
Alness United 2 V Balintore 0 - Port Services Cup Final In Tain
North Caledonian League
Bonar Bridge 4 V Halkirk United 5
Invergordon 0 V Bunillidh Thistle 0
North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 2nd of November 2002
Thurso F.C..............7...........V Tain St.Duthus............0........
Thurso F.C Line-up - Gray, A.Sutherland, Warner, Reid, Bremner(Forbes),
R.Sutherland, Inrig, J.Makhouli, MacKenzie, Nicholl(Cassidy), Murray.
Goalscorers - Alan Murray (4), Mark Nichol, Nigel MacKenzie and an own goal
At Sir George's Park, Thurso - kick-off - 12.30 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
The Vikings
were not extended in chalking up this victory which keeps their top spot in the
MSIS North Caledonian League. The young visitors did not lack in either skill
or energy but they were no match for the experienced home outfit. Even without
regulars Shaun Moar, Lee MacDougall and Kevin Morris, Thurso were in control
from the kick-off and had romped to a 5-0 lead at the interval. Alan Murray
grabbed a double in each half with others goals falling to Mark Nichol, Nigel
Mackenzie and an own goal.
The home men struggled early on to master a strong, blustery wind which played
tricks with long passes. Within two minutes, Tain rode their luck when a neat
first-time pass from Nichol sent Mackenzie scurrying down the left. His driven
cross ended with Willie Inrig rifling in a low shot from the edge of the box
which flew foot over Barry Nimmons' bar.
After 15 minutes, a well-flighted Gavin Bremner cross was met by Ross
Sutherland who was unable to find the right angle with his head which drifted
wide. The pressure continued unabated with Sutherland fizzing a 35 yarder just wide
and Nimmons fdoing well to collect a stinging shot from Nichol.
In between, Tain contrived to pose problems at the other end with a teasing
diagonal cross from Colin Burry forcing Michael Gray to parry the ball behind
for a corner.
The opening goal after 22 minutes was carved out by Jonnie Makhouli, making his
return after amonth break though injury. Makhouli's pass to
Two minutes later, Nichol appeared to be checked by Nimmons as he sought to
follow up his own shot which the keeper had beaten away.
The second goal arrived in 26 minutes when
Tain's strikeforce was operating on thin rations but the visitors should have
pulled a goal back on 37 minutes when Steven Alexander's incisive run and cross
deserved better than Mathew Rooney's miscued header from close in.
Three minutes later, it was 4-0 with
The final action of the half saw a tidy spell of possession football ended with
Inrig's hanging cross causing mayhem in the visting defence. Keith Dingwall's
hurried attempted clearance struck the back of trialist Lee Martin and
rebounded over the line.
Half-time - Thurso 5 V Tain 0
Tain made aspirited start to the second half with the experienced Kenny Fraser
passing up a headed chance and Gray diving to keep out a Calum MacDonald
strike. Nimmons did well to deny Bremner on 53 minutes.
Substitute Luke Cassidy got a raw deal 10 minutes from the end when he became
the second booking of the day when he was suffered the double whammy of being
denied a penalty and then deemed to have dived. The last chance of the game saw
Manager Duncan Gray was happy with the performance and the result afer his side
endured asticky start.
"We were perhaps just a bit too anxious to get our noses in front but once
we got the first couple of goals, we settled down and played some good
football." The manager was happy to see Makhouli return to action and with
the addition of Nichol who is proving auseful acquisition.
On Saturday afternoon, Thurso play Balintore in the First Round of the PCT Cup.
A back injury continues to rule out Moar while Kevin Morris is a doubt with an
Achilles injury. Alan Sutherland is unavailable but Martin Baker is back in the
squad for the match, which kicks off at 1.30 p.m.
Thurso v Tain: M.Gray, A. Sutherland, Reid, Warner, J.Makhouli, Bremner
(Forbes 60), Inrig, R Sutherland, Nichol (Cassidy 60), Murray, Mackenzie.
Ref -- Mr G. Bain, Wick.
Other NCL scores
Alness United 2 V Halkirk United 1
Balintore 5 V Bunillidh Thistle 2
Golspie Sutherland 1 V Bonar Bridge 3
Invergordon 4 V Dornoch 5
PCT Cup First Round
Saturday 9th of November 2002
Thurso F.C.............2............V Balintore............1........(A.E.T)
Goalscorers - Kevin Morris (2)
At Sir George's Park, Thurso - kick-off - 1.30 p.m
Thurso F.C will now be away to Alness United in round two - to be played
23/11/02
Match report by Iain Grant
The Vikings
prevailed in extra-time with Kevin Morris's second of the game enabling them to
progress to the second round of the PCT Cup. Morris had broken the deadlock
midway through the second half of normal time with
They shrugged off an undistinguished first 45 minutes to dominate the game and
created ample opportunities to have the tie settled without the need for
overtime. The early action saw the home side on the ascendant with Nigel
MacKenzie's cross deserving better than Willie Inrig's weak header which Edward
Shearer saved with ease.
Inrig was soon involved again with his feed from the right being back-heeled by
Alan Murray to Morris who lost his footing at the vital moment. Keith Dinwoodie
was the first to threaten for Balintore with his penetrating surge into the box
after 10 minutes being thwarted by a fine, cover
tackle from Graeme Reid.
Eight minutes later, home keeper Michael Gray was barely troubled with the
first effort on goal -- a less than than convincing strike from Paul Skinner.
After 21 minutes, an Inrig cross was knocked down by Morris in the direction of
Jonnie Makhouli only for him to be denied a clear strike on goal by a timely
intervention by John Skinner.
Thurso were playing in fits and starts with a
Shearer, whose heroics loomed large in the previous cup-tie, again came to
Balintore's rescue when he got behind a Sutherland effort after a Bremner
corner had created pandemonium in the penalty box. Eight minutes from the
break, the visitors fashioned a quickfire break which ended with Darren Mackay
cutting into box and firing a left foot shot wide across goal.
Mackenzie featured at both ends in the closing minutes of the half, first
seeing his arching cross acrobatically cut out by Shearer and then having his
heart in his mouth as his schoolboy error of dribbling the ball across his own
area went unpunished after a rebound off an incoming attacker rocketed wide.
The best chance arrived six minutes after the break when Mackenzie found
himself in space at the back post only to drill his shot against the side net. After 52 minues. a searing
Balintore were not without their chances with Gray doing well to clutch
Mackay's well-struck left foot shot on the hour-mark. It was turning into a
rattling good contest with Bremner making space for Morris who could not make
contact as Shearer dived at his feet and then Stuart Skinner had his header
saved by Gray.
The opening goal came on 72 minutes with Morris taking advanatge of a Bremner
corner to fire home from just inside the six yard box.
The lead lasted for barely two minutes with Gray foxed by Dinwoodie's fierce
shot which cannoned off Farquhar and into the net. The visitors had their tails
up and after 77 minutes Gray was relieved to get a second bite at holding
Powell's shot when he dived bravely at Farquhar's feet.
Four minutes later, there was let-off for the Vikings when a corner deflected
off Inrig with Mackenzie on hand to hook the ball off the line. Balintore
retained the initiative with Gordon Lowe unable to direct a volley on target at
the back post.
Back came Thurso with yet another Bremner corner seeing Mark Nichol's shot
eliciting a desperate block with Reid's back-heel going wide of the target.
Morris could have finished the game two minutes into injury time when a
Morris quickly made amends when he struck what proved the winner five minutes
into extra time. It stemmed from a rare error by Shearer who dropped a high
ball at the edge of box and Morris was first to react to pass the ball into the
net from 18 yards.
Thurso retained the initiative with Morris and Nichol going close to extending
the advantage before the turnaround.
Balintore mounted an all-out final assault with Gray doing well to get a hand
to touch over a screaming shot from substitute Mark Hogg. Right at the death,
Balintore vainly claimed a goal after Gray caught a looping cross only to be
bundled into goal by three follow-up attackers. Nothing wrong with that in the
red-knuckle days of the 1940s and 50s but not in today's game.
Thurso manager Duncan Gray was delighted to win through to set up an away match
with Alness.
He said: "We didn't play particularly well in the first half but I thought
we stepped things up after the interval and were pretty well ahead of them. "We should really have beaten them in normal time.
On Saturday, it is back to the MSIS North Caledonian League when Invergordon
travel to Sir Georges Park. The home side will be keen to make up for their
early season 5-1 reverse in Invergordon but have to do without Michael Gray,
Ross Sutherland and Kevin Morris. The trio are heading for a Bruce Springsten
concert in
Brian Mackay is due to be between the sticks while there may be a return for
Ryan Farmer for the match, which kicks off at 2 p.m.
Thurso v Balintore: Gray, Warner, Makhouli (Nichol 80), Reid, Bremner,Baker, Inrig,
Mackenzie, Sutherland, Murray, Morris. Unused Subs Not Used - Cassidy and
Forbes
Other NCL scores
Alness United 4 V Dornoch 0
PCT Cup 1st Round
Tain St.Duthus 5 V Bonar Bridge 3
PCT Cup 1st Round
Halkirk United 2 V Invergordon 3 (aet)
Golspie Sutherland 1 V Bunillidh Thistle 0
Saturday 16th of November 2002
North Caledonian League
Dornoch 4 V Balintore 2
Golspie Sutherland 1 V Halkirk United 1
Tain St.Duthus 3 V Bonar Bridge 5
PCT Cup Second Round
Saturday 23rd of November 2002
Alness United...........2..........V Thurso F.C..............3...........
Thurso F.C Line-up - Mackay, Moar, Reid, Baker, Forbes (Begg 79), Inrig,
Bremner,
Warner, Mackenzie, Murray, Cassidy. Unused Subs :
Farmer and Arrowsmith.
Goalscorers - Alan Murray and Willie Inrig (2)
At Alness - kick-off - 1.00 p.m
Thurso F.C will now play Dornoch in The semi-Final with Golspie Sutherland
already awaiting the winners in the final after they defeated Invergordon 2-1
away.
Match report by Iain Grant
Thurso
spiked their hosts' long winning streak with this backs-to-the-wall victory in
the second round of the PCT Cup. Johnnie Makhouli's eleventh-hour call-off
through sickness added to a clutch of absentees which led to trainer John
Arrowsmith being pressed into service on the bench as cover for stand-in keeper
Brian Mackay.
The cup-tie looked to be slipping from their hands when their lead was
nullified in a horror five minute spell when Alness punished sloppy defence
with two quick goals. But the Vikings battled back to equalise with a cracking
strike from Willie Inrig with 12 minutes left with the same player popping up
to bang home an injury time winner.
Mackay was the first keeper on active duty when he had to look lively to plam
over a wicked free-kick from Steven Maclean after four minutes. The visitors
had to wait until 10 minutes for their first chance when Nigel MacKenzie set up
Kevin Warner for across which Luke Cassidy diverted just wide. The rival
midfields became engaged in a battle for supremacy which created something of
stalemate for long spells in the first quarter.
There was little of note before home keeper Jody Campbell held an Inrig drive
after 25 minutes and then Keith Sutherland created mayhem in the visiting
defence with a tantalising cross which flashed across the goal. Good work by
Alan Murray created the space for Nigel Mackenzie on the half-hour mark to send
a rising shot over the top.
The game was becoming more open and Thurso's Graeme Reid did extremely well to
block a Gavin Hayden effort after 35 minutes. Gavin Bremner's corner kicks are
proving a potent weapon in Thurso's armoury this season. That again proved a
source of danger on Saturday with Martin McAllister coming to his keeper's
rescue in heading one corner to safety after 36 minutes with the follow-up
seeing
The opening goal after 38 minutes came after a rogue deflection sent
Mackay protected the lead with a reasonable comfortable save from Keith
Sutherland after 40 minutes but was relieved when three minutes later Hayden
should have done better when he hit the side-net after being played in by Ross
Jack.
Half-time - Alness United 0 V Thurso 1
The second half had a low-key start with the first
action of note seeing Cassidy forcing
Brendon McGarvey equalised when he converted a Keith Sutherland cross and four
minutes later Donald Sutherland had grabbed a second.
Thurso did not buckle and fought back to restore parity after 78 minutes.
Alness finished the better of the sides and Brian Davidson was presented with
two snips after 82 and 89 minutes -- both of which he botched.
Into injury time, Bremner's sweeping cross was dummied by substitute Jocky Begg
with Inrig again the grateful recipent as e thrashed the ball home from 10
yards.
Thurso manager Duncan Gray praised his side for their effort and perseverance.
"It was battling performance and it was a bit of a struggle, particularly
towards the end of the second half. "We went
through a bad patch but credut to the team for coming back and getting the
win."
On Saturday afternoon, Thurso are away to Bunillidh Thistle. Shaun Moar came
through Saturday's match intact while Michael Gray, Ross Sutherland and Kevin
Morris are back from their trip to the
Thurso v Alness: Mackay, Moar, Reid, Baker, Forbes (Begg 79), Inrig, Bremner,
Warner, Mackenzie, Murray, Cassidy. Unused Subs :
Farmer and Arrowsmith.
Other NCL and Cup Games scheduled
Bonar Bridge 2 V Balintore 2 - NCL
Bunillidh Thistle 0 V Halkirk United 3 - NCL
Dornoch 4 V Tain St.Duthus 2 - PCT Cup 2nd Rnd
Invergordon 1 V Golspie Sutherland 2 - PCT Cup Semi-Final
North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 30th of November 2002
Bunillidh Thistle...........0..........V Thurso F.C..............3...........
Thurso F.C Line-up - Gray, Baker, Reid, Moar, Makhouli, Warner (Sutherland 74),
Bremner, Inrig
(Forbes 70), Mackenzie, Murray, Cassidy (Morris 68). Unused Subs
: Farmer and Arrowsmith
Goalscorers - Jonny Makhouli, Alan Murray and Graeme Reid
At Helmsdale - kick-off - 1.30 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
Thurso
remain joint top of the MSIS North Caledonian League after scoring a
trouble-free victory over the bottom side on Saturday. At this time of year,
the exposed Helmsdale ground invariably throw up testing weather conditions and
it has proved the graveyard for the title ambitions of several sides in recent
years. But the Vikings never looked like slipping on this potential banana
skin.
An early goal from Johnnie Makhouli helped settle the nerves with Alan Murray
making it two before the break and Graeme Reid converting one of a clutch of
chances which came his way to make 3-0 midway through the second half.
Thurso keeper Michael Gray was given a gentle introduction after his return
from a foray to the
After 14 minutes, the Thurso camp were aggreived after Warner appeared to be
upended in the penalty box as he chased Makhouli's through ball. Referee David
Anderson thought otherwise.
Within three minutes, Thurso were ahead with MacKenzie's clever switch from
left to rIght picking out
Bulillidh rarely threatened though Billy Cowie's wicked cross on the half-hour
mark did briefly cause panic stations in the visiting defence. A minute later,
Malcolm Cowie was given space to try his luck from 30 yards but his shot lacked
power to trouble Gray.
Thurso's advantage was doubled on 32 minutes with Luke Cassidy threading a
cross between Sutherland and his defence and Murray running in to net with a
right-foot fnish.
Bunillidh were battling to prevent further counters before the half and were
indebted to Sutherland for a smart save from Bremner. The home side should have
got one back in the last minute of the half when Chris MacRae failed to convert
a clear-cut headed opportunity.
Half-time - Bunillidh Thistle 0 V Thurso 2
Thurso's dominance continued after the interval with Sutherland scrambling to
reach a powerful 25 yarder from
The third arrived after 63 minutes when Bremner's free-kick was headed home by
Reid.
A minute later, Cassidy set up
Bremner had the final attempt on goal when his 88th minute shot from just
outside the box whizzed just wide.
Thurso manager Duncan Gray was happy with the victory and that his side had
managed to keep a clean sheet. "It can be a difficult place to go to but
we weren't really troubled. "They battled away
but we were pretty well in control of the game and we missed quite a few
opportunities to make it more convinving.
Thurso tomorrow travel to face the fast-improving Dornoch in the semi-final of
the PCT Cup. Unavailable striker Luke Cassidy apart, Mr Gray should have a full
squad assuming
Thurso v Bunillidh: Gray, Baker, Reid, Moar, Makhouli, Warner (Sutherland 74),
Bremner, Inrig
(Forbes 70), Mackenzie, Murray, Cassidy (Morris 68).Unused Subs
: Farmer and Arrowsmith.
Other NCL fixtures
Alness United 2 V Bonar Bridge 1
Balintore 4 V Golspie Sutherland 2
Invergordon 1 V Halkirk United 2
Tain St.Duthus 2 V Dornoch 5
PCT Cup Semi-Final
Saturday 7th of December 2002
Dornoch............2.........V Thurso F.C................1.........
Goalscorer - Alan Murray
At Dornoch - kick-off - 1.00 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
Dornoch's
remarkable upturn in fortunes continued on Saturday as they booked their place
in the final of the PCT Cup with this battling win over the Vikings. The
visitors may point to a spate of spurned chances which spiked their long run of
victories over the Sutherland side. But the forthcoming cup final clash with
Golspie reflects the progress Dornoch have made after a long spell in the
wilderness.
After Kevin Morris went close early on, Dornoch forged ahead on 10 minutes when
Thurso defender Martin Baker lost possession and Scott McKain ran through to
net.
Gavin Bremner then hit a post with a corker of a 30 yard free-kick with keeper
Russell MacKenzie doing well to block Morris's follow-up.
The keeper kept out Nigel MacKenzie but was powerless after 16 monutes to stop
Alan Murray from scoring through a ruck of players from a Bremner corner.
It was largely one-way traffic with Morris hitting a post and another Bremner
rocket clipping the woodwork. Efforts from Johnnie Makhouli and Murray were
beaten out by Russell MacKenzie as Dornoch welcomed the respite of the
turnaround.
Half-time - Dornoch 1 V Thurso 1
The home side enjoyed a punchy restart and Thurso
keeper Michael Gray did well to steer a 48th minute shot wide. At the other
end, keeper MacKenzie made a brave dive to deny Graeme Reid and then foil
Morris.
What proved the winner came after 62 minutes with Baker and Gray getting in a
fankle as they sought to deal with a harmless-looking through ball from McKain. That left Mark Sanderson with the simple task of
running through to slot the ball into the empty net.
Dornoch then put up the shutters as their goal came under constant attack.
The best chance fell to Nigel MacKenzie who could not convert after he was put
clear by Bremner six minutes from time.
Thurso manager Duncan Gray was disappointed to lose only his second game since
he took over the reins in mid-August. "We paid the penalty for not putting
away the chances we had in the first half. "Us
failing to score encouraged them when we should really have killed them
off."
Thurso: Gray, Reid (Forbes 85), Baker, Moar, Warner, Bremner,
Makhouli (Farmer 85), Inrig, Murray, Morris, Mackenzie.
Other NCL fixtures scheduled for the day
Invergordon 3 V Tain St.Duthus 4
Bonar Bridge 3 V Bunillidh Thistle 2
Balintore 0 V Alness United 1
North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 14th of December 2002
Dornoch............0.........V Thurso F.C..............7...........
Goalscorer - Jonny Makhouli, Graeme Reid (2), Nigel MacKenzie (2), Alan Murray
and Luke Cassidy
At Dornoch - kick-off - 1.30 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
Thurso have
a tall order if they are to fuflfil what manager Duncan Gray believes they need
to do if they are to claim this year's MSIS North Caledonian title. Before
Saturday, he set them the task of winning their remaining six matches in a
demanding run-in, which continues tomorrow with a crunch derby versus Halkirk.
The Vikings got over the first hurdle with something to spare when they put
Dornoch to the sword and avenge the previous week's PCT Cup semi-final defeat
at the hands of the Sutherland men. Thurso struggled to add to an early lead
with several snips going abegging.
Frustration was starting to set in before they got the second after 38 minutes
with two further strikes before the break ended the game as a contest. The
opener came after six minutes when Gavin Bremner's free kick saw Graeme Reid
soar above the defence to net with a firm header.
The home men had to wait until 10 minutes for their first effort of note when a
break down the left flank ended with Pollard's cross drifting over.
Alan Murray was then denied by keeper Russell Mackenzie before confusion in the
visiting defence left Pollard with a clear opening only for him to shoot wide.
After 18 minutes, Bremner's free-kick should have produced a goal with defender
Shaun Moar unable to find the target with a header. Bremner was played in by
The second goal finally came after good play play down right with
Three minutes later, Cassidy turned provider as he held up the ball before
teeing up Makhouli whose left foot screamer from 20 yards rocketing into the
net off the underside of the bar.
Half-time - Dornoch 0 V Thurso 3
Dornoch were reeling under the pressure and two minutes from the break they
conceded a fourth. A fluent move from the back saw
The visitors continued to dominate after the resumption with MacKenzie doing
well to thwart
After 55 minutes,
Mackenzie made it six on the hour-mark when another Bremner free-kick picked
him out and he rifled a fierce volley past MacKenzie. Mackenzie almost
completed his hat-trick when substitute Shaun Forbes found Murray and the
striker's cross saw the former Academy man head just wide.
A smart turn and left-foot shot from
Ross Sutherland's 20 yard strike was well saved by the keeper before a Cassidy
corner in injury time was met by a sweet volley by Reid to make it 7-0.
Mr Gray was satisfied with both the result and the display. "The
difference to the previous game was that we took our chances this time. "It was good to get the early goal and we did miss a
couple of good opportunities before we got the second but I felt we were always
on top."
Thurso: Gray, Reid, Moar, Warner, Baker (Forbes 62), Inrig (Farmer 65),
Bremner(Sutherland 62), Makhouli, Mackenzie, Murray, Cassidy.
Other NCL fixtures
Bunillidh Thistle 0 v Balintore 0
Halkirk United 2 v Bonar Bridge 2
Invergordon 1 v Golspie Sutherland 2
Tain St.Duthus 0 v Alness United 2
North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 21st of December 2002
Thurso F.C.............3............V Halkirk United.............1.......
Goalscorers - Nigel MacKenzie (1), Luke Cassidy (1) and Kevin Morris (1)
At The Dammies - kick-off - 1.30 p.m
Other NCL Fixtures
Alness United V Invergordon (Called Off)
Balintore 8 V Tain St.Duthus 0
Dornoch V Bonar Bridge (Called off)
NCL Fixtures played - 28/12/02
Alness United 6 V Invergordon 2
Bunillidh Thistle 0 V Golspie Sutherland 2
North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 18th of
January 2003
Balintore...........0................V Thurso F.C.............2............
Thurso F.C Line-up - Gray, Reid, Moar, Warner, MacKenzie, Inrig, Bremner,
Makhouli
(Baker 18), Sutherland, Murray (Forbes 85), Cassidy (Morris 74).
Goalscorers - Ross Sutherland (1) and Luke Cassidy (1)
At Seaboard Park, Balintore, Ross-shire- kick-off - 2.00 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
Two second
half goals ensured Thurso prevailed in this energy-sapping, incident-packed
tussle on Saturday. The win keeps Thurso's MSIS North Caley title hopes alive
and brings up a half-century of goals in their league campaign.
What had been a hotly contested affair hinged largely on a two minute spell
early in the second half when Ross Sutherland struck for the visitors shortly
after the ordering-off of the tough-tackling Balintore midfielder Keith
Dinwoodie. That raised the temperature further with referee Darren Hedges
struggling to keep control as hot-heads on both sides put themselves at risk of
being shown red. Luke Cassidy's well-taken strike after 62 minutes took the
sting out of the game and made sure his side returned with the points.
Stormy weather had thankfully blown over to produce a dry, still day and a firm
surface. A couple of early lusty challenges by home defenders which went
unpunished set the tone for what was to prove a high-octane, bruising
encounter.
Visiting keeper Michael Gray was quickly involved, cutting out a dangerous inswinging
cross from Gordon Lowe after three minutes. Thurso were next to threaten when a
beautifully executed defence-splitting diagonal pass from Gavin Bremner set off
Nigel MacKenzie on a run which was thwarted by a shuddering tackle on the edge
of the box. After 13 minutes, a hanging cross from Willie Inrig saw Balintore
keeper Eddie Shearer clutch the ball at his back post to deny the inrushing
Johnnie Makhouli.
Balintore missed a snip after 15 minutes when youngster Mark Hogg's cross was
headed on to Stuart Skinner whose sclaff from inside the six yard box rebounced
off the right upright. A minute later Cassidy had a half-chance when he ran on
to a long pass from fellow striker Alan Murray only to snatch his shot . Makhouli's involvement was ended after 17 minutes
when he had to hobble off with an ankle injury with Martin Baker replacing him.
With the Vikings' defence continuing to look vulnerable, James Skinner and
Darren Mackay combined to set up Lowe for a header. His effort hit the left
post though it was nullified by a late offside flag.
Murray appeared harshly treated after 20 minutes when he appeared to be blocked
twice by John Skinner on a dangerous run towards goal only for the striker to
be called up for a foul. A couple of minutes later, one of a rush of Thurso
corners saw Graeme Reid head on and Sutherland just denied as he sought to
apply the finishing touch. The game was increasingly being played in the
Balintore half as the visiting midfield trio became more and more influential.
Inrig almost benefited from the rebound but John Skinner did superbly well to
somehow hustle the ball out for a corner. After 35 minutes, the pattern was
broken when a Balintore foray saw Hogg again the provider with a teasing cross
which deserved better than Lowe's weak attempted finish. There was another
worrying moment for Thurso a minute later when Inrig, at full stretch, sent a
pass-back which Gray did well to divert away from his goal. The ball fell to
Lowe whose return shot again lack pith and was easily dealt with by the keeper.
After 38 minutes, Mackenzie blazed a shot over after Bremner created the
opening. The opportunites came thick and fast with Dinwoodie left with a red
face after 40 minutes when Lowe's cross found him unmarked eight yards out only
for him to slice the ball well wide. Two minutes from the break, Bremner's
long-range switch pass found MacKenzie galloping in from the left with just
Shearer to beat. He seemed to do everything right as he drew the keeper before
his low shot bulleted just past the left post. Just before the break, Dinwoodie
picked up his first booking for a late tackle on MacKenzie.
Half-time - Balintore 0 V Thurso 0
After the interval, it was the visitors who looked the
more likely. After 49 minutes, Inrig's through ball was astutely flicked on by
After 50 minutes, the game's trigger-point came when Dinwoodie picked up a
second booking after he clipped Inrig's heels on the edge of the Balintore box.
The free-kick was cleared but the home side failed to deal with the resultant
corner. Inrig's cross from the right was not cleared and Sutherland was on hand
to sweep the ball past Shearer.
Balintore's angst at Dinwoodie's dismissal extended off the field with play
held up for several minutes before their manager Alan Brindle would comply with
Mr Hedges' direction to remove himself from the technical area. Inrig got
caught up in the general histrionics and was lucky to escape censure when he
kicked out at a grounded opponent.
The midfielder showed his better side with a tremendous shot from outside the
box which would have beaten Shearer had it not deflected behind off a defender.
Inrig went on to provide the killer pass after 62 minutes which saw Cassidy
skip down the inside-left channel, cut inside his marker and crash an
unstoppable, rising shot from just inside the box.
The same combination almost worked again three minutes later with Cassidy's
left-foot effort this time producing a fine stop from Shearer. Thurso were now
in firm charge of the game and Shearer again had to look lively to keep out
The keeper had a fraction of a second to react but somehow got his fingertips
to the ball to divert it over the top of the bar. Shearer could do nothing a
minute later but watch in relief as
After 79 minutes, laxness of the Thurso defence allowed Balintore substitute
Scott MacLennan to run in unopposed on Gray. The striker looked to have
squeezed the ball under the keeper but Gray managed to get just enough contact
to send the ball round what was for him the right side of the post. Mackay
picked up a late booking for dissent as his side succombed to a rare reverse on
their own patch.
Vikings manager Duncan Gray said: "We knew it would be a tough game and
they were certainly up for it. "I was quite happy
with our performance though it was disappointing we did not put more of our
chances away."
Damaged ankle ligaments look certain to consign Makhouli to a spell on the
sidelines. Brian Gray is back training while Ryan Farmer could join the squad
for the last away league encounter of the season at
Thurso v Balintore: Gray, Reid, Moar, Warner, MacKenzie, Inrig, Bremner,
Makhouli (Baker 18), Sutherland, Murray (Forbes 85), Cassidy (Morris 74).
Ref: Mr D. Hedges,
Other NCL matches played
Bunillidh Thistle 1 V Alness United 3
Halkirk United 3 V Dornoch 3
Tain St.Duthus 2 V Golspie Sutherland 5
Friendly - Invergordon 5 V Bonar Bridge 3
North Caledonian League Championship
Saturday 25th of January 2003
Bonar Bridge...............0............V Thurso F.C...............3..........
Goalscorer - Kevin Morris (2) and Luke Cassidy (1)
At Migdale Playing Fields, Bonar Bridge - kick-off - 2.00 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
Thurso
successfully negotiated this potential banana skin to set up a fascinating
climax in their joust with Alness for the MSIS North Caledonian League title.
Bonar on a foul day is never an easy assignment but the Vikings survived an
early scare to wrap up the three points with two goals from Kevin Morris and
one from Luke Cassidy. Morris and Cassidy joined Alan Murray in the spearhead
of a 3-4-3 formation deployed by manager Duncan Gray.
Bonar's back line was caught out again five minutes later when Ross Sutherland
sent Cassidy racing through only for the youngster to be thwarted by a sharp
gust of wind which swept the ball through to Lannon. Thurso continued to
dominate with good work by
Thurso took full advantage from the let-off to go in front after 20 minutes. An
indirect free-kick in the box saw Gavin Bremner tee up Morris whose 10 yard
shot found the left corner of the net. The same pair combined after 28 minutes
when Bonar's defence was again caught out with Bremner's through-ball found
Morris who evaded Lannon before scoring.
Thurso had several chances to increase their lead before the break with Murray
and Nigel Mackenzie both going close.
Half-time -
Mackenzie was first to threaten after the interval when his angled shot was
blocked by Lannon. Bonar should have reduced the deficit after 50 minutes when
Neil MacIvor's cross from the left drew a fresh-air shot from the usually
reliable Ewan Dance.
A late challenge by Thurso's Willie Inrig after 57 minutes earned him a
booking. The home side had Lannon to thank for helping keep the score
respectable with his double save from Morris after 65 minutes particularly
memorable.
A minute later
Morris was again denied by the keeper after 68 minutes before Cassidy finally
made it three. The young striker neatly wheeled in the box to meet a centre and
hammered the ball home from 12 yards.
Cassidy blasted another decent chance over the bar as the game petered out.
Brian Gray made a late appearance to end a long spell on the sidelines
recovering from injury.
Manager Duncan Gray was happy with the overall display while bemoaning the
number of chances which again went abegging. He said: "We missed a couple
of decent opportunities before they had the chance to go in front.
"Had that gone in, it could have been a different game but once we went
two in front, it was pretty comfortable. "The
second half was just about one-way traffic and we should have scored a few
more."
He was relieved to get the points from his side's last away league encounter
and is now looking forward to their two crucial remaining matches in Thurso
versus Alness and Invergordon.
Thurso v Bonar: M. Gray, Reid, Moar, Warner, Inrig (B. Gray 84), Bremner,
Sutherland, MacKenzie, Murray (Baker 75), Cassidy (Forbes 84)
, Morris.
Other fixtures played - 25/1/03
Morris Newton Cup
Balintore 0 V Alness United 2 - Second Round
Halkirk United 6 V Invergordon 3 - First Round
Tain St.Duthus 4 V Dornoch 7 - First Round
Morris Newton Cup Second Round
Saturday 1st of February 2003
Thurso F.C.............3............V Halkirk United..........1..........
Thurso F.C Line-up - M.Gray, Reid, Moar, Warner(Forbes),
MacKenzie, Inrig,
Bremner, Baker(B.Gray), Sutherland(Farmer), Cassidy, Morris.
Goalscorers - Kevin Morris (2) and Willie Inrig
At Sir George's Park, Thurso - kick-off - 2.00 p.m
Match report by Iain Grant
The Vikings
continue to hold the whip hand over their county rivals as they again finished
the stronger to win through to the semi-finals of the Morris Newton Cup. Their
passage looked by no means assured in the first third of Saturday's contest at
the Dammies during which the home side established an ill-deserved 2-1 lead.
United had a goal controversially chalked off before the interval but failed to
maintain their challenge, with Kevin Morris's second goal of the game 15
minutes into the second half sealing the Vikings' ticket into the semis.
Halkirk were forced to reshape their defence, with regulars Keith Blair and
John Martin unavailable, Colin Munro injured, and player/manager Richard Hughes
missing out through a bout of post-Burns Night food poisoning. It was the
Thurso back line that looked makeshift in the early stages as defenders
needlessly conceded possession, were posted missing at corners and gave keeper
Michael Gray precious little protection. With Halkirk's back three of Stuart
Sinclair, Paul MacCallum and Andrew Henderson taking time to settle in, it made
for rich pickings for both attacks and plenty of goalmouth action for the
crowd.
The home side were first to threaten after four minutes when Gavin Bremner sent
Martin Baker scurrying down the right side to cross early for Luke Cassidy
whose volley was pouched by keeper Marc Swanson.
A minute later, a cross from Halkirk's Gavin Henderson drew a flashing header
from Murray Coghill. It was going wide before the ball ricocheted into the path
of Chris Dunnett whose clever lob went narrowly over.
The Vikings went ahead after eight minutes when Willie Inrig's through ball
found Gavin Bremner whose shot was blocked. Morris followed up to steer the
ball home from 12 yards.
Halkirk almost replied in kind two minutes later when the second of two Gordie
Steven corners gave Sinclair a free header six yards out. Gray did well to make
a goal-line smother but Sinclair should have taken the keeper out of the
equation.
The action was fast and furious with Morris screwing a shot wide after being
sent in on goal by Cassidy after 12 minutes.
A minute later, Halkirk looked to have equalised when Coghill latched on to a
partial clearance from another corner. The striker's curling shot seemed
destined for the inside of the left side-net only for Gray to somehow pull off
a one-handed save.
Halkirk finally pulled level after 15 minutes in a move started and finished by
Dunnett. His 30 yard angled chip had Gray scurrying
back to see the ball rebound off the underside of his bar. The keeper then did
exceptionally well to parry Derek Munro's follow-up shot and was given no help
by his defenders as Dunnett was allowed to race in unopposed to net.
Back came Thurso with Morris heading just over from a Nigel Mackenzie free-kick
shortly before the Vikings regained the lead after 22 minutes.
The aftermath of a corner saw Shaun Moar regain possession and deliver a
teasing cross which saw Willie Inrig get in ahead of keeper Marc Swanson to
score with a close-in header.
The Vikings threatened to extend their lead after 25 minutes when MacKenzie's
through ball was cushioned by Cassidy who was unceremoniously clattered from
behind by MacCallum as he shaped to shoot. Referee Derek Marshall may have used
the advantage rule as the ball fell at the feet of Morris but the big striker
fired the ball wide from 12 yards.
Thurso's bright spell continued with Cassidy's snap-shot after 28 minutes being
blocked by a trailing leg of Swanson. There was then a farcical sequence in the
Halkirk box when Swanson raced out to make another block on Cassidy and being
hors de combat to deal with MacKenzie's resultant lob from the edge of the box.
It lacked power with Graeme Gunn able to make a comfortable clearing header off
the line which Swanson, by now facing his goal, gratefully fielded on the
penalty spot.
Gray had to look lively to deal with a Coghill shot after 32 minutes as United
came back strongly.
Referee Marshall was the focus of angry protests from the visiting camp after
he disallowed goal after 35 minutes. A sweeping move saw Michael Bremner romp
upfield and exchange passes with Coghill before firing in a shot from the edge
of the box which was parried by Gray before being despatched by Derek Munro.
The offside flag aginst the latter cut short the celebrations.
Before the break, Morris had a stinging shot well saved by Swanson and a fine
effort at the other end from Gavin Henderson had Gray scrambling as the ball
flashed just wide of the target.
Half-time - Thurso 2 V Halkirk 1
A low-key start to the second half saw bookings handed out to Gavin Henderson
for persisting fouling and Luke Cassidy, for a cynical late challenge on
Dunnett.
The game drifted away from the visitors when they fell two behind on 61 minutes
when MacKenzie's deep cross found Morris whose bullet header flew across
Swanson into the opposite corner.
MacKenzie was a constant threat after the break, with his forays down the
wings. He twice went close before a Halkirk raid on 68 minutes ended with a
sizzling strike from Mark Munro being tipped over the bar by Gray.
Thurso were awarded a penalty on 70 minutes when Inrig sent Mackenzie in on
goal before he was checked by MacCallum. Martin Baker's spot-kick found the
outside of a post.
Morris sent a header wide before Bremner curled a shot narrowly past as Thurso
finished on top. Halkirk's last chance saw Mark Munro open the way for Dunnett
whose attempted finish veered wide.
Thurso manager Duncan Gray was happy with how his side recovered from a sloppy
start to win with something to spare."It was very uncomfortable at the
start when we could not retain possession but after the third goal I felt we
were pretty well on top."
His opposite number, acting Halkirk manager Billy Manson felt his side was
short-changed in the first half. "I thought we deserved to be at least
level at the interval, if not ahead and there looked absolutely nothing wrong
with the goal we had disallowed. "The third goal
was the killer and after that the game died. "Thurso are more experienced
and streetwise -- we have a lot of youngsters who are still learning the
game."
Thurso: M. Gray, Reid, Baker (B. Gray 79), Moar, Warner (Forbes 84), Bremner,
Inrig, Sutherland (Farmer 80), Cassidy, Morris, MacKenzie.
Halkirk : Swanson, A. Henderson (Gunn 20), Dunnett,
MacCallum, Sinclair, Bremner,
G. Henderson, Steven (Elder 75), Coghill, D. Munro (G. Coghill 68), M. Munro.
Ref: D.
The only MSIS North Caley League match played on Saturday saw Balintore jump
two places into fourth after they thrashed Invergordon 7-0. The other two
scheduled cup clashes were victims of the weather.
Other Fixtures
MNC 2nd Rnd
Bonar Bridge V Dornoch (Off)
Bunillidh Thistle V Golspie Sutherland (Off)
North Caledonian League
Balintore 7 V Invergordon 0
North Caledonian League Chmpionship
Saturday 8th of February 2003
Thurso F.C.............4............V Alness United............0........
Thurso F.C Line-up - M.Gray, Reid, Moar, B.Gray, MacKenzie(Farmer),
Inrig,
Bremner(Forbes), Sutherland, Cassidy, Murray(Makhouli), Morris.
Goalscorers - Kevin Morris (2), Nigel MacKenzie and Alan Murray
At Sir George's Park, Thurso - kick-off - 2.30 p.m
Match report from The Northern Times
website - www.northern-times.co.uk
Thurso moved three points clear at the top of the table thanks to a
comprehensive 4-0 home win over title challengers Alness United. The
Nigel MacKenzie made it 2-0 in the 21st minute after good work from Morris and
Luke Cassidy set up the chance.
It was one way traffic and Thurso stretched their lead
five minutes later when Morris grabbed his second of the match after Alan
Murray set him up.
United had a go in the second half, but they failed to penetrate a well drilled
Thurso defence, and
If Thurso win their home match against defending champions Invergordon on
Saturday, Alness will need to take maximum points from their remaining two
fixtures with Dornoch (away), and Golspie (home) to force a play-off.
Other NCL matches played
Halkirk United 4 V Balintore 5
Bunillidh Thistle 4 V Tain St.Duthus 2
PCT Cup Final
Golspie Sutherland 3 V Dornoch 1 - At Brora
North Caledonian League Chmpionship
Saturday 15th of February 2003
Thurso F.C.............6............V Invergordon............0........
Thurso F.C Line-up - M.Gray, Reid, Moar, B.Gray, MacKenzie, Inrig, Bremner,
Sutherland, Cassidy, Murray, Morris. Subs - Warner, Baker and Forbes
Goalscorers - Luke Cassidy, Kevin Morris (3), Nigel MacKenzie and Willie Inrig
At Sir George's Park, Thurso - kick-off - 2.30 p.m
Football Times Cup First Round
Saturday 22nd of February 2003
Balintore............2...........V Thurso F.C................3.........
Thurso F.C Line-up - M.Gray, B.Gray, Reid, Moar, Bremner, Inrig, MacKenzie,
Sutherland, Murray(P.Makhouli 70),Cassidy(Warner 86),
Morris. Sub Not used - Baker
Goalscorers - Luke Cassidy (2) and Alan Murray
At Seaboard Park, Balintore, Ross-shire
Other NCL fixtures - 22/2/03
Alness United 0 V Golspie Sutherland 1
(League) - CHAMPIONSHIP GOES TO THURSO F.C !!!
Dornoch 0 V
Tain St.Duthus V Halkirk United (FT Cup 2nd Round) - Called Off
NCL
Fixtures - 1st of March 2003
Football Times Cup 2nd Round
Tain St.Duthus 2 V Halkirk United 6
Morris Newton Cup 2nd Round
Bonar Bridge 4 V Dornoch 2
Bunillidh Thistle 1 V Golspie Sutherland 1 (Bunillidh won 4-3 on pens)
Fixtures on NCL Card - 8th of March 2003
Football Times Cup First Round
Bunillidh Thistle 4 V Bonar Bridge 3
(Bunillidh now plays Thurso - 22/3/03)
Dornoch 1 V Alness United 7
Football Times Cup Second Round
Invergordon 3 V Golspie Sutherland 5
(Golspie to play the winner of Thurso V Bunillidh 22/3/03)
Morris Newton Cup Semi-Final
Saturday 15th of March 2003
Thurso F.C...............6..........V Bunillidh Thistle...........0.........
Thurso F.C Line-up - M.Gray, Reid (Farmer), B.Gray, Warner, MacKenzie, Inrig,
Bremner(Forbes) , Sutherland,
Goalscorers - Alan Murray (3), Luke Cassidy (1) and Kevin Morris (2)
Sir George's Park, Thurso - kick-off - 2.30 p.m
The North Caledonian League Championship
Trophy was presented after the match by league president Robbie Adams and
league sponsor David Skinner of MSIS.
Other fixtures to be played - 15/3/03
Morris Newton Cup Semi-Final
North Caledonian League
Golspie Sutherland 2 V Dornoch 1
Matches played on NCL Card - 22/3/03
Football Times Cup Semi-Final
Halkirk United 2 V Alness United 1
Second Round
Thurso V Bunillidh Th - postponed as Bunillidh could not put a team
together therefore Thurso receive a bye to The Semi Final away to Golspie
Football Times Cup Semi-Final
Saturday 29th of March 2003
Golspie Sutherland.........2........V Thurso F.C...............3..........(a.e.t)
Thurso F.C Line-up - M.Gray, Reid, B.Gray, Warner, MacKenzie, Inrig,
Bremner, Sutherland, Murray(P.Makhouli 105), Cassidy (Moar 71), Morris.
Graeme Reid of Thurso and Robbie MacDougall of Golspie sent off
Goalscorers - Brian Gray (1 pen), Nigel MacKenzie (1) and Phil Makhouli (1)
At King George V Park, Golspie - kick-off - 2.30 p.m
Thurso now play Halkirk United in the Final - 12/4/03 at The Dammies
Match report from The Ross-shire
Journal
Stormy
semi-final ends in extra time battle
THURSO twice came from behind to pip fellow MSIS North Caledonian League side
Golspie Sutherland 3-2 after extra time at George V Park to reach the Football
Times Cup final. The
And it was no surprise when Robbie MacDougall headed Golspie in front in the
14th minute when he converted a Gary Reid corner kick.
Half-time - Golspie 1 V Thurso 0
But Thurso were back on level terms in the 51st minute when Gavin Bremner was
taken down inside the area by lan Innes, and Brian Gray scored from the spot
off the inside of the post.
Golspie hit back in the 71st minute when Walter MacKay scored at the second
attempt. Innes sent MacKay clear on goal, and after Michael Gray parried his
first effort, MacKay deftly chipped the rebound over the Thurso keeper.
It only took Thurso three minutes to equalise when Nigel MacKenzie netted with
a 30 yard screamer that flew into the top corner of the net.
Full-time - Golspie 2 V Thurso 2
The tie went to extra-time, and Philip Makhouli
snatched the winner in the 107th minute after just coming on as a substitute
when he glanced home a Bremner free kick.
Fixtures Saturday, April 5 Morris Newton Cup Final 2pm
Thurso v
Report written by Ross-Shire Journal Editor - editor@rsjournal.co.uk
Other match played on 29th March 2003
Morris Newton Cup Semi-Final
Alness United 2 V Bonar Bridge 3
(
Thurso won the Morris Newton Cup
Final 6-0 at Victoria Park, Dingwall !!!
Match report from The
North Star News
Thurso will
have the benefit of home advantage when they meet
Champions, Thurso, cruised to a 5-0 victory against
Bonar were still reeling from the setback when Alan Murray stretched the lead.
An own goal from Michael Bonnar, who was attempting to clear a cross from
Half-time - Thurso 3 V Bonar 0
Then Thurso goalkeeper Michael Gray made an excellent save when he tipped over
a penalty kick from Ewan Dance after Andrew Murray was impeded early in the
second half.
Luke Cassidy netted number four when Murrays shot rebounded from the crossbar
on 71 minutes and Gavin Bremner completed the save from a Morris through-pass
10 minutes from the end.
Full-time -
Thurso 6 V Bonar Bridge 0
Report written by North Star News Editor - sport@highland-news.co.uk
Football Times Cup Final
Thurso 1 V
Halkirk United 0
At The
Dammies, Thurso
Thurso FC
goalscorer Alan Murray COMPLETING THE
TREBLE OF LEAGUE, MORRIS NEWTON AND FOOTBALL TIMES CUP !!!