Post by Brian Mackay on Mar 3, 2005 9:43:52 GMT
Invergordon 1 Thurso 4 - report by Iain Grant
This SWL Cup-tie was in the balance up until the closing stages when a quickfire hat-trick from Alan Murray eased Thurso into the last four.
The Vikings had already chalked up three victories in their earlier fixtures with Invergordon but the fourth was in doubt for most of Saturday's tussle.
The home side had the previous week suffered the heartbreak of losing out on penalties to Balintore in the Jock Mackay Cup final.
Their cup form has belied their lowly status in the MSIS North Caley League and they went about their business on Saturday intent on upsetting the form book.
A bright start saw them take the lead though a fortuitous strike from Mark Nichol restored parity by the interval.
Thurso stepped up a gear after the break and always looked the better bet to prevail but they had to survive a couple of near things before Murray's late goal rush.
The first opening fell to the visitors when a foray from Phil Makhouli created an opening for Gordie Steven whose third minute shot was comfortably held by keeper Stephen Campbell.
That was overshadowed four minutes later at the other end when sloppy defence allowed Ashley Mills to get on the end of a Brian Scobbie cross.
He provided the first test for Michael Gray who rose to the challenge with a fine one-handed stop.
Makhouli and Liam Hutchinson, for Invergordon, were next to threaten before the home men drew in front after 18 minutes when another cross from Scobbie was bundled home by Ross Thomson.
Thurso were indebted to Ross Sutherland after 27 minutes when his lung-busting back-track saw him rob Mills after the striker broke clear into the box.
From the prospect of going two up, Invergordon found themselves pegged back two minutes later when Campbell made a hash of coming to collect a free-kick from Sutherland.
The ball hit Nichol on the back of the head and rolled into the unguarded net.
Thurso should have taken the lead after 32 minutes when Gordie Steven's cross over-hit its target but found Makhouli lurking wide out right.
Makhouli drove past several defenders into the box but fluffed his shot.
Good play involving Shaun Forbes and Nichol ended with Murray teeing up Nichol who was unable to provide the finish.
Shortly before the break, Mills and Thompson wasted decent opportunities as Invergordon continued to look the livelier.
The turnaround saw the tide turn the way of the visitors.
A stinging half-volley from Sutherland and a chip-shot from Murray almost did the trick as Campbell's goal came under intense pressure.
Murray again went close after 52 minutes when set up by Nichol before a controversial moment when the referee waved play on when Gavin Bremner appeared to have been clearly tripped.
Mills broke upfield and played in Thompson whose wayward shot from prime position spared the ref from a more intense chorus of protests.
Thurso continued to press with Gordie Steven and Murray going close and Nichol unwisely going for goal himself instead of laying off to the unmarked Murray.
Invergordon then enjoyed a purple patch during which Michael Gray twice had to be on his toes to deny Thompson.
The third goal was always going to be decisive and it eventually arrived after 80 minutes when Murray took a return pass from Nichol to chip the ball past Campbell.
Four minutes later, the pair combined again with Nichol heading on for Murray who raced into the box before slotting in his second.
A minute from time, the dynamic duo hit the jackpot again with Nichol's cut-back being clipped in off a post by Murray.
The pair have now notched up 71 goals between them this campaign, with Murray's hat-trick on Saturday taking him to 34 just three behind Nichol.
Deep in injury-time, the home men almost got a second but Michael Gray was equal to Alan Stone's attempt on goal.
Thurso assistant manager Richard Hughes was relieved the side eventually wore down their opponents to qualify for a home semi against Balintore.
Mr Hughes said: "Invergordon were really up for it and were more competitive than us in the first half.
"They were winning the 50/50 tackles and making life difficult for us.
"We stepped up the pace in the second half and looked stronger the longer the game went on.
Tomorrow, Thurso travel to Dornoch on league business, knowing that a win would ensure they finished in runners-up spot behind champions Alness.
Lee MacDougall and Jamie MacKenzie remain doubtful with injuries for the trip.
Thurso v Invergordon: M. Gray, B. Gray, Moar, Baker, Forbes, G. Steven (M. Steven 80), Bremner, Makhouli (Cook 80), Sutherland (Bain 70), Murray, Nichol.
This SWL Cup-tie was in the balance up until the closing stages when a quickfire hat-trick from Alan Murray eased Thurso into the last four.
The Vikings had already chalked up three victories in their earlier fixtures with Invergordon but the fourth was in doubt for most of Saturday's tussle.
The home side had the previous week suffered the heartbreak of losing out on penalties to Balintore in the Jock Mackay Cup final.
Their cup form has belied their lowly status in the MSIS North Caley League and they went about their business on Saturday intent on upsetting the form book.
A bright start saw them take the lead though a fortuitous strike from Mark Nichol restored parity by the interval.
Thurso stepped up a gear after the break and always looked the better bet to prevail but they had to survive a couple of near things before Murray's late goal rush.
The first opening fell to the visitors when a foray from Phil Makhouli created an opening for Gordie Steven whose third minute shot was comfortably held by keeper Stephen Campbell.
That was overshadowed four minutes later at the other end when sloppy defence allowed Ashley Mills to get on the end of a Brian Scobbie cross.
He provided the first test for Michael Gray who rose to the challenge with a fine one-handed stop.
Makhouli and Liam Hutchinson, for Invergordon, were next to threaten before the home men drew in front after 18 minutes when another cross from Scobbie was bundled home by Ross Thomson.
Thurso were indebted to Ross Sutherland after 27 minutes when his lung-busting back-track saw him rob Mills after the striker broke clear into the box.
From the prospect of going two up, Invergordon found themselves pegged back two minutes later when Campbell made a hash of coming to collect a free-kick from Sutherland.
The ball hit Nichol on the back of the head and rolled into the unguarded net.
Thurso should have taken the lead after 32 minutes when Gordie Steven's cross over-hit its target but found Makhouli lurking wide out right.
Makhouli drove past several defenders into the box but fluffed his shot.
Good play involving Shaun Forbes and Nichol ended with Murray teeing up Nichol who was unable to provide the finish.
Shortly before the break, Mills and Thompson wasted decent opportunities as Invergordon continued to look the livelier.
The turnaround saw the tide turn the way of the visitors.
A stinging half-volley from Sutherland and a chip-shot from Murray almost did the trick as Campbell's goal came under intense pressure.
Murray again went close after 52 minutes when set up by Nichol before a controversial moment when the referee waved play on when Gavin Bremner appeared to have been clearly tripped.
Mills broke upfield and played in Thompson whose wayward shot from prime position spared the ref from a more intense chorus of protests.
Thurso continued to press with Gordie Steven and Murray going close and Nichol unwisely going for goal himself instead of laying off to the unmarked Murray.
Invergordon then enjoyed a purple patch during which Michael Gray twice had to be on his toes to deny Thompson.
The third goal was always going to be decisive and it eventually arrived after 80 minutes when Murray took a return pass from Nichol to chip the ball past Campbell.
Four minutes later, the pair combined again with Nichol heading on for Murray who raced into the box before slotting in his second.
A minute from time, the dynamic duo hit the jackpot again with Nichol's cut-back being clipped in off a post by Murray.
The pair have now notched up 71 goals between them this campaign, with Murray's hat-trick on Saturday taking him to 34 just three behind Nichol.
Deep in injury-time, the home men almost got a second but Michael Gray was equal to Alan Stone's attempt on goal.
Thurso assistant manager Richard Hughes was relieved the side eventually wore down their opponents to qualify for a home semi against Balintore.
Mr Hughes said: "Invergordon were really up for it and were more competitive than us in the first half.
"They were winning the 50/50 tackles and making life difficult for us.
"We stepped up the pace in the second half and looked stronger the longer the game went on.
Tomorrow, Thurso travel to Dornoch on league business, knowing that a win would ensure they finished in runners-up spot behind champions Alness.
Lee MacDougall and Jamie MacKenzie remain doubtful with injuries for the trip.
Thurso v Invergordon: M. Gray, B. Gray, Moar, Baker, Forbes, G. Steven (M. Steven 80), Bremner, Makhouli (Cook 80), Sutherland (Bain 70), Murray, Nichol.