Post by Brian Mackay on Sept 21, 2004 21:52:21 GMT
Alness United 0 Thurso 4 - by Iain Grant
The anticipated close encounter between the sides failed to materialise as the Vikings maintained their unbeaten start to the current campaign.
A double from Alan Murray and singles from Mark Nichol and Lee MacDougall saw them progress to the semi-final of the Port Services Cup with a good deal of comfort.
The Vikings were short of a handful of regulars but that proved no obstacle to them sweeping aside the challenge of a disappointing Alness side.
They had chances to be ahead at the break by more than Murray's first counter five minutes from the turnaround.
Alness's challenge effectively disappeared after Nichol doubled the advantage from
the penalty spot shortly after the restart.
Thurso's cause was improved midway through the half when their opponents were reduced to 10 men by the sending-off of Craig Munro.
Alness's goose was well and truly cooked when Murray grabbed his second after good work from Phil Green and Nichol.
A 20 yard drive from Lee MacDougall which was deflected en route to the net completed the victory near the end.
A convincing win for the Vikings which is the perfect preparation for tomorrow's crunch North Caley match versus champions Golspie.
The Sutherland's side 2-1 win in the corresponding game last December was decisive in them establishing a lead over Thurso, which they maintained to the end of the campaign.
Brian Gray, suspended for the cup-tie, returns while the striking options are increased by the return of Luke Cassidy and Phil Makhouli while Jamie MacKenzie is hopeful of making it back after injury.
The match at Sir Georges Park kicks of at 3 p.m.
Thurso: Gray, Moar, Warner, Boyd (Steven 75) , Green (Cook 75), Sutherland, Bremner, Adamson (Bain 75), MacDougall, Murray, Nichol.
The only league game on Saturday saw Golspie retain the only 100% record though they were fully extended by bottom team Tain.
The visitors took a shock lead before Golspie went on to win through 3-2.
In other Port Services Cup matches, Invergordon required extra-time before registering a 6-3 win at Bonar Bridge.
Invergordon now play Thurso while Balintore, 2-1 winners over Dornoch, entertain Halkirk.
MSIS NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE
--------------------------------------------
Pl W D L F A Pts
THURSO 4 3 1 0 20 4 10
ALNESS UNITED 4 3 0 1 15 4 9
GOLSPIE 3 3 0 0 7 2 9
HALKIRK UNITED 4 3 0 1 10 6 9
BALINTORE 4 2 1 1 9 4 7
BUNILLIDH THISTLE 2 1 0 2 3 8 3
BONAR BRIDGE 3 1 0 2 4 11 3
INVERGORDON 2 0 0 2 2 8 0
DORNOCH 3 0 0 3 3 10 0
TAIN 4 0 0 4 3 19 0
The anticipated close encounter between the sides failed to materialise as the Vikings maintained their unbeaten start to the current campaign.
A double from Alan Murray and singles from Mark Nichol and Lee MacDougall saw them progress to the semi-final of the Port Services Cup with a good deal of comfort.
The Vikings were short of a handful of regulars but that proved no obstacle to them sweeping aside the challenge of a disappointing Alness side.
They had chances to be ahead at the break by more than Murray's first counter five minutes from the turnaround.
Alness's challenge effectively disappeared after Nichol doubled the advantage from
the penalty spot shortly after the restart.
Thurso's cause was improved midway through the half when their opponents were reduced to 10 men by the sending-off of Craig Munro.
Alness's goose was well and truly cooked when Murray grabbed his second after good work from Phil Green and Nichol.
A 20 yard drive from Lee MacDougall which was deflected en route to the net completed the victory near the end.
A convincing win for the Vikings which is the perfect preparation for tomorrow's crunch North Caley match versus champions Golspie.
The Sutherland's side 2-1 win in the corresponding game last December was decisive in them establishing a lead over Thurso, which they maintained to the end of the campaign.
Brian Gray, suspended for the cup-tie, returns while the striking options are increased by the return of Luke Cassidy and Phil Makhouli while Jamie MacKenzie is hopeful of making it back after injury.
The match at Sir Georges Park kicks of at 3 p.m.
Thurso: Gray, Moar, Warner, Boyd (Steven 75) , Green (Cook 75), Sutherland, Bremner, Adamson (Bain 75), MacDougall, Murray, Nichol.
The only league game on Saturday saw Golspie retain the only 100% record though they were fully extended by bottom team Tain.
The visitors took a shock lead before Golspie went on to win through 3-2.
In other Port Services Cup matches, Invergordon required extra-time before registering a 6-3 win at Bonar Bridge.
Invergordon now play Thurso while Balintore, 2-1 winners over Dornoch, entertain Halkirk.
MSIS NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE
--------------------------------------------
Pl W D L F A Pts
THURSO 4 3 1 0 20 4 10
ALNESS UNITED 4 3 0 1 15 4 9
GOLSPIE 3 3 0 0 7 2 9
HALKIRK UNITED 4 3 0 1 10 6 9
BALINTORE 4 2 1 1 9 4 7
BUNILLIDH THISTLE 2 1 0 2 3 8 3
BONAR BRIDGE 3 1 0 2 4 11 3
INVERGORDON 2 0 0 2 2 8 0
DORNOCH 3 0 0 3 3 10 0
TAIN 4 0 0 4 3 19 0