Post by Brian Mackay on Feb 18, 2005 13:08:40 GMT
Invergordon 1 Thurso 2 - report by Iain Grant
This hard-earned victory keeps the battle for the MSIS North Caley title alive with Thurso further nibbling into Alness's handsome lead at the top.
The Easter Ross side remain firm favourites but the Vikings can further close the gap with a win at home to Tain tomorrow.
Last Saturday's match coincided with one of Invergordon's worst day of the winter with a piercing chill wind combined with lashing rain.
Relatively mild conditions during the first half-hour gave way to a constant downpour and plummeting temperatures.
Combined with sticky pitch ensured smooth, it meant flowing play was then very much at a premium and the referee came close to calling off the contest.
Thurso were quicker into their stride and Alan Murray had gone close before they forged in front on 15 minutes.
Murray was the architect with his cross being driven in by Mark Nichol for his 36th goal of the campaign.
The Vikings proceeded to squander a succession of decent openings which, if converted, would have effectively killed off the contest before the bad weather took a firm grip.
The price of the profligacy was paid midway through the second half when the home men conjured up an equaliser.
Brian Scobbie did the legwork and Scott Wilde provided the finish.
This produced a backlash from Thurso and a sustained spell of pressure saw Murray unable to finish off a run-in with Stephen Campbell and Lee MacDougall go close.
The visitors' perseverance paid off with what proved the winner 17 minutes from time.
A piledriver from Allan Sutherland cracked off the crossbar and Murray was on hand to drill home his 26th of the season.
Assistant manager Richard Hughes said the playing conditions were dreadful.
"The pitch was OK at the start but once the downpour started, it was just horrendous and the ref was thinking of calling the game off.
"Getting the win was obviously vital as it keeps the pressure on Alness to win their last match."
Thurso v Invergordon: M. Gray, Warner, Moar, Baker (Bain 78), A. Sutherland, Bremner, R. Sutherland (B. Gray 65), MacKenzie (Steven 70), MacDougall, Murray, Nichol.
Thurso's match versus Tain tomorrow kicks off at 3 p.m.
The Vikings' only doubt is Ross Sutherland who aggravated a hamstring injury on Saturday.
The second trophy of the MSIS season will be handed over tomorrow when Balintore meet Invergordon in the final of the North Caledonian Cup, which is being played in memory of league stalwart Jock Mackay.
Balintore on Saturday progressed to the last for of the SWL Cup with a 4-1 win versus Bunillidh Thistle in Helmsdale, which included a Ewan Dance hat-trick.
The Bonar Bridge/ Golspie league clash was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
MSIS NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE
Pl W D L F A Pts
ALNESS 17 15 0 2 65 16 45
THURSO 15 12 2 1 70 11 38
GOLSPIE 15 11 1 3 61 21 34
BALINTORE 17 8 4 5 47 26 28
HALKIRK 14 7 1 6 39 23 22
DORNOCH 16 5 2 9 37 54 17
BONAR 14 5 1 8 27 54 16
INVERGORDON 14 4 2 8 25 42 14
TAIN 17 2 1 14 22 93 7
BUNILLIDH 15 1 0 14 18 71 3
This hard-earned victory keeps the battle for the MSIS North Caley title alive with Thurso further nibbling into Alness's handsome lead at the top.
The Easter Ross side remain firm favourites but the Vikings can further close the gap with a win at home to Tain tomorrow.
Last Saturday's match coincided with one of Invergordon's worst day of the winter with a piercing chill wind combined with lashing rain.
Relatively mild conditions during the first half-hour gave way to a constant downpour and plummeting temperatures.
Combined with sticky pitch ensured smooth, it meant flowing play was then very much at a premium and the referee came close to calling off the contest.
Thurso were quicker into their stride and Alan Murray had gone close before they forged in front on 15 minutes.
Murray was the architect with his cross being driven in by Mark Nichol for his 36th goal of the campaign.
The Vikings proceeded to squander a succession of decent openings which, if converted, would have effectively killed off the contest before the bad weather took a firm grip.
The price of the profligacy was paid midway through the second half when the home men conjured up an equaliser.
Brian Scobbie did the legwork and Scott Wilde provided the finish.
This produced a backlash from Thurso and a sustained spell of pressure saw Murray unable to finish off a run-in with Stephen Campbell and Lee MacDougall go close.
The visitors' perseverance paid off with what proved the winner 17 minutes from time.
A piledriver from Allan Sutherland cracked off the crossbar and Murray was on hand to drill home his 26th of the season.
Assistant manager Richard Hughes said the playing conditions were dreadful.
"The pitch was OK at the start but once the downpour started, it was just horrendous and the ref was thinking of calling the game off.
"Getting the win was obviously vital as it keeps the pressure on Alness to win their last match."
Thurso v Invergordon: M. Gray, Warner, Moar, Baker (Bain 78), A. Sutherland, Bremner, R. Sutherland (B. Gray 65), MacKenzie (Steven 70), MacDougall, Murray, Nichol.
Thurso's match versus Tain tomorrow kicks off at 3 p.m.
The Vikings' only doubt is Ross Sutherland who aggravated a hamstring injury on Saturday.
The second trophy of the MSIS season will be handed over tomorrow when Balintore meet Invergordon in the final of the North Caledonian Cup, which is being played in memory of league stalwart Jock Mackay.
Balintore on Saturday progressed to the last for of the SWL Cup with a 4-1 win versus Bunillidh Thistle in Helmsdale, which included a Ewan Dance hat-trick.
The Bonar Bridge/ Golspie league clash was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
MSIS NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE
Pl W D L F A Pts
ALNESS 17 15 0 2 65 16 45
THURSO 15 12 2 1 70 11 38
GOLSPIE 15 11 1 3 61 21 34
BALINTORE 17 8 4 5 47 26 28
HALKIRK 14 7 1 6 39 23 22
DORNOCH 16 5 2 9 37 54 17
BONAR 14 5 1 8 27 54 16
INVERGORDON 14 4 2 8 25 42 14
TAIN 17 2 1 14 22 93 7
BUNILLIDH 15 1 0 14 18 71 3