Post by Brian Mackay on Mar 30, 2005 19:51:26 GMT
Match report from Iain Grant from match between Thurso and Halkirk United last Saturday actually played at The Dammies.
Thurso 4 Halkirk United 1
The Vikings are mulling over what might have been after they completed their MSIS
North Caley campaign on Saturday with a fifth straight victory.
Their latest derby success put them a country mile in front of defending title-holders
Golspie and a tantalising point behind this year's champions, Alness.
The late run of wins could not redress the terminal damage down to Thurso in
the preceding 1-0 defeat at home to their Easter Ross rivals.
Robbie's MacDougall's late strike inflicted what was to be the Vikings' only reverse of
the league campaign as well as providing the springboard for Alness to top the
division.
Saturday's match was scheduled for Halkirk but was switched to the town as
Recreation Park was being used for the country music festival.
The gulf in experience and physique between the two Caithness sides was all too
apparent on Saturday.
United have a young squad full of endeavour and running.
In the likes of Alan Farquhar, Graham MacDonald and John Farquhar, they have
players well capable of stepping up a level.
But apart from a couple of old heads, they lack the match nous and onfield leadership
that can pull through sides when the chips are down.
These qualities come only with experience and there is no doubt Halkirk could mature
into a very useful unit, if they stick together.
Thurso, on the other hand, bristle with experienced and street-wise individuals.
The downside is they have relatively few youngsters and will over the next couple of
seasons face a major rebuilding exercise.
The rather flat atmosphere at Saturday's clash did not live up to previous derby clashes.
The noon kick-off perhaps added to the jaded feel about matches played after the
league champions have already been crowned.
For all that, there was a spicy start to the game with bags of goal-mouth action before
Thurso took the lead after 22 minutes.
Before Alan Murray became the club's leading scorer when he nodded in his 38th of the
season, the visitors had passed up two glaring chances.
Thurso's defence was all too easily opened up after six minutes when MacDonald
spotted Alan Farquhar's unmatched run into the left side of the penalty box.
From 10 yards, Farquhar steered the ball past keeper Michael Gray but also a foot wide
of the far post.
That came after Brian Gray had cut out a first minute opening with a galloping run down
the right wing and a cross which deserved better than Gordie Steven's weak header.
Jamie MacKenzie's booking for dissent after four minutes prevented ref Colin MacLeod
from declaring a clear crime count for the afternoon.
Thurso were soon bossing affairs and forcing their opponents to defend ever more
deeper.
Indecision in the middle of Halkirk's rearguard after eight minutes let in Murray who
was forced too wide to try an effort on goal.
He did however whip in a cross which MacKenzie headed wide when colleague Shaun
Forbes was much better placed to score.
Halkirk had problems throughout the day dealing with corners which Gavin Bremner
delivered with a mix of angle and pace.
One on 12 minutes resulted in Brian Gray's netbound header being nodded clear by
David MacGill from his station inside the left post.
Visiting keeper Sean Henderson did well two minutes to beat away another inswinging
corner.
Forbes saw an effort just over before Alan Farquhar missed another snip at the other
end after 17 minutes.
An injudicious pass-back put Michael Gray in trouble and the keeper's rushed clearance
fell straight to the club's young player-of-the-year.
The young midfielder did not do justice to his deserved accolade as his would-be chip
from 12 yards into the gaping goal was under-struck, allowing Michael Gray to atone for
his earlier error.
Six minutes later, Thurso went in front from a predictable source.
Bremner's looping corner found Murray stooping to meet the ball four yards out from
the far post.
That the striker failed to make a good connection perhaps contributed to Henderson
making a hash of what should have been a routine save.
He succeeded only in helping the ball nestle in the back of the net.
There was precious little to enthuse about for the remainder of the half.
The only incident of note was a decent pot-shot from Martin Murray which produced a
less-than-taxing stop from Michael Gray.
Thurso resumed their supremacy after the break and they were seldom out of opposition territory for the remainder of the match.
They were inches away from doubling their lead after 56 minutes when MacKenzie made
space for himself before rifling in a shot which was deflected back into his path.
From six yards, he wheeled round to bang the rebound netward only for a defender to
get back to somehow hack the ball clear.
It proved a momentary respite as from the next attack, Alan Murray sent a close-range
effort which Henderson perhaps should have done better than touch it on to the base of the right upright.
MacKenzie, this time, made no mistake after again being first to the loose ball.
The home side may have felt this would sap opposition resistance but three minutes
later United were given renewed hope when they won a spot-kick.
MacDonald was upended by Shaun Moar and after a consultation with assistant
Gary MacMillan about the scene of the crime, Mr MacLeod pointed to the spot.
Ex-Viking Willie Inrig made a perfect job of driving the ball low just inside the right post.
The breakthrough did not spur a revival, with the game being put outside's Halkirk's
reach with two goals in two minutes.
The first stemmed from another corner, this one driven hard in from the right by Gordie
Steven on 64 minutes.
If Henderson got a touch, it was the very tip of a glove before the ball smacked off the
meat of the cross-bar.
Again, Thurso got the rub of the green as it fell to Phil Makhouli who had the simple
task of side-footing home.
The fourth was a genuine goal-of-the-season contender at the Dammies over the
MSIS campaign.
A move begun deep in Vikings' territory released Ross Sutherland who unlocked the
defence with a beautifully-crafted chip-pass to Makhouli.
Makhouli cut into the right side of the box and saw his driven cross met by Lee
MacDougall.
MacDougall's full-on drive packed too much energy to be kept out by Henderson's
despairing lunge.
Halkirk's only real efforts in open play after the interval were a long-range shot from
Murray Coghill which flashed over and several close-in headers from Sean Henstridge
which ended up wide of the target.
Thurso were forced to play the last 10 minutes with 10 men after Moar had to retire with a leg knock when the side's three subs had all been committed.
Steven had earlier to leave the action after sustaining a hand injury when he fell
awkwardly.
Thurso: M. Gray, B. Gray, Baker, Moar, Forbes (P.Makhouli h/t), Bremner, A.Sutherland, R. Sutherland (Warner 78), Steven (MacDougall 67), MacKenzie, Murray.
Halkirk: Henderson, MacGill, (M. Coghill 62), Florence, Munro, Shearer, Inrig (Henstridge 68), A. Farquhar, Murray, MacDonald, J. Farquhar, Bremner. Sub (unused)
-- G. Coghill.
Ref -- Mr C. MacLeod.
Thurso 4 Halkirk United 1
The Vikings are mulling over what might have been after they completed their MSIS
North Caley campaign on Saturday with a fifth straight victory.
Their latest derby success put them a country mile in front of defending title-holders
Golspie and a tantalising point behind this year's champions, Alness.
The late run of wins could not redress the terminal damage down to Thurso in
the preceding 1-0 defeat at home to their Easter Ross rivals.
Robbie's MacDougall's late strike inflicted what was to be the Vikings' only reverse of
the league campaign as well as providing the springboard for Alness to top the
division.
Saturday's match was scheduled for Halkirk but was switched to the town as
Recreation Park was being used for the country music festival.
The gulf in experience and physique between the two Caithness sides was all too
apparent on Saturday.
United have a young squad full of endeavour and running.
In the likes of Alan Farquhar, Graham MacDonald and John Farquhar, they have
players well capable of stepping up a level.
But apart from a couple of old heads, they lack the match nous and onfield leadership
that can pull through sides when the chips are down.
These qualities come only with experience and there is no doubt Halkirk could mature
into a very useful unit, if they stick together.
Thurso, on the other hand, bristle with experienced and street-wise individuals.
The downside is they have relatively few youngsters and will over the next couple of
seasons face a major rebuilding exercise.
The rather flat atmosphere at Saturday's clash did not live up to previous derby clashes.
The noon kick-off perhaps added to the jaded feel about matches played after the
league champions have already been crowned.
For all that, there was a spicy start to the game with bags of goal-mouth action before
Thurso took the lead after 22 minutes.
Before Alan Murray became the club's leading scorer when he nodded in his 38th of the
season, the visitors had passed up two glaring chances.
Thurso's defence was all too easily opened up after six minutes when MacDonald
spotted Alan Farquhar's unmatched run into the left side of the penalty box.
From 10 yards, Farquhar steered the ball past keeper Michael Gray but also a foot wide
of the far post.
That came after Brian Gray had cut out a first minute opening with a galloping run down
the right wing and a cross which deserved better than Gordie Steven's weak header.
Jamie MacKenzie's booking for dissent after four minutes prevented ref Colin MacLeod
from declaring a clear crime count for the afternoon.
Thurso were soon bossing affairs and forcing their opponents to defend ever more
deeper.
Indecision in the middle of Halkirk's rearguard after eight minutes let in Murray who
was forced too wide to try an effort on goal.
He did however whip in a cross which MacKenzie headed wide when colleague Shaun
Forbes was much better placed to score.
Halkirk had problems throughout the day dealing with corners which Gavin Bremner
delivered with a mix of angle and pace.
One on 12 minutes resulted in Brian Gray's netbound header being nodded clear by
David MacGill from his station inside the left post.
Visiting keeper Sean Henderson did well two minutes to beat away another inswinging
corner.
Forbes saw an effort just over before Alan Farquhar missed another snip at the other
end after 17 minutes.
An injudicious pass-back put Michael Gray in trouble and the keeper's rushed clearance
fell straight to the club's young player-of-the-year.
The young midfielder did not do justice to his deserved accolade as his would-be chip
from 12 yards into the gaping goal was under-struck, allowing Michael Gray to atone for
his earlier error.
Six minutes later, Thurso went in front from a predictable source.
Bremner's looping corner found Murray stooping to meet the ball four yards out from
the far post.
That the striker failed to make a good connection perhaps contributed to Henderson
making a hash of what should have been a routine save.
He succeeded only in helping the ball nestle in the back of the net.
There was precious little to enthuse about for the remainder of the half.
The only incident of note was a decent pot-shot from Martin Murray which produced a
less-than-taxing stop from Michael Gray.
Thurso resumed their supremacy after the break and they were seldom out of opposition territory for the remainder of the match.
They were inches away from doubling their lead after 56 minutes when MacKenzie made
space for himself before rifling in a shot which was deflected back into his path.
From six yards, he wheeled round to bang the rebound netward only for a defender to
get back to somehow hack the ball clear.
It proved a momentary respite as from the next attack, Alan Murray sent a close-range
effort which Henderson perhaps should have done better than touch it on to the base of the right upright.
MacKenzie, this time, made no mistake after again being first to the loose ball.
The home side may have felt this would sap opposition resistance but three minutes
later United were given renewed hope when they won a spot-kick.
MacDonald was upended by Shaun Moar and after a consultation with assistant
Gary MacMillan about the scene of the crime, Mr MacLeod pointed to the spot.
Ex-Viking Willie Inrig made a perfect job of driving the ball low just inside the right post.
The breakthrough did not spur a revival, with the game being put outside's Halkirk's
reach with two goals in two minutes.
The first stemmed from another corner, this one driven hard in from the right by Gordie
Steven on 64 minutes.
If Henderson got a touch, it was the very tip of a glove before the ball smacked off the
meat of the cross-bar.
Again, Thurso got the rub of the green as it fell to Phil Makhouli who had the simple
task of side-footing home.
The fourth was a genuine goal-of-the-season contender at the Dammies over the
MSIS campaign.
A move begun deep in Vikings' territory released Ross Sutherland who unlocked the
defence with a beautifully-crafted chip-pass to Makhouli.
Makhouli cut into the right side of the box and saw his driven cross met by Lee
MacDougall.
MacDougall's full-on drive packed too much energy to be kept out by Henderson's
despairing lunge.
Halkirk's only real efforts in open play after the interval were a long-range shot from
Murray Coghill which flashed over and several close-in headers from Sean Henstridge
which ended up wide of the target.
Thurso were forced to play the last 10 minutes with 10 men after Moar had to retire with a leg knock when the side's three subs had all been committed.
Steven had earlier to leave the action after sustaining a hand injury when he fell
awkwardly.
Thurso: M. Gray, B. Gray, Baker, Moar, Forbes (P.Makhouli h/t), Bremner, A.Sutherland, R. Sutherland (Warner 78), Steven (MacDougall 67), MacKenzie, Murray.
Halkirk: Henderson, MacGill, (M. Coghill 62), Florence, Munro, Shearer, Inrig (Henstridge 68), A. Farquhar, Murray, MacDonald, J. Farquhar, Bremner. Sub (unused)
-- G. Coghill.
Ref -- Mr C. MacLeod.