Post by Brian Mackay on Apr 17, 2009 10:05:24 GMT
Thurso and Halkirk United square up tomorrow in a final showdown as the North Caley programme heads towards a conclusion.
The eagerly awaited Caithness derby is in Invergordon with the Jock Mackay Memorial Cup on offer to the winners.
It is the first final between the county rivals since 2003 when an Alan Murray goal was enough to give the Vikings a 1-0 victory in the final of the Football Times Cup at the Dammies
Thurso will enter tomorrow’s game as decided underdogs, having lost both league games and a previous cup-tie to the Anglers.
Manager Stevie Reid is delighted to finish what was always going to be a testing campaign with an appearance in a final.
“We couldn’t ask for a better finale than a final against Halkirk,” he said.
“It’s obviosusly going to be tough but we’re looking forward to it.”
Young midfielder Michael Petrie is expected to have shaken off a knock he picked up earlier this week in a local Thurso league game.
Defender Stuart Sinclair continues to be ruled out through work commitments, which could also deprive the Vikings of experienced midfielder Jamie Mackenzie.
Young central defender Gordon Steven should be back in the picture and it is hoped experienced sweeper Kevin Warner will also be available.
Halkirk boss Ian MacDonald is looking for his side to bounce back from last Saturday’s demoralising 6-5 league reverse at Bonar Bridge .
He is wary of the threat posed by the Vikings.
“They seem to have been doing pretty well in their last few games.
“Like all derbies, we know how each other plays and it probably boil fdown to who gets the breaks on the day.”
Defender Stuart Florence and striker Stevie Reid remain on the injury list while Gavin Henderson is suspended.
Martin Murray is unavailable but top marksmen Mark Nichol and Sandy Sutherland are set to rejoin the travelling squad.
Golspie retained the title after two back-to-back 3-0 wins on their travels.
Shane Sutherland added to an early Robbie MacDougall double to see them home in their midweek clash in Alness.
The same players struck in their 3-0 win versus Bunillidh on Saturday though the game was goal-less until the last 20 minutes.
MacDougall broke the deadlock and added a second after Sutherland netted.
MSIS NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE
Pl W D L F A Pts
GOLSPIE 16 15 0 1 74 12 45
HALKIRK UNITED 17 12 0 3 73 26 38
BALINTORE 17 10 2 5 47 32 32
MUIR OF ORD 18 9 2 7 35 38 29
THURSO 18 7 4 7 33 30 25
BONAR BRIDGE 17 8 1 8 39 45 25
BUNILLIDH THISTLE 17 6 2 9 26 43 20
ALNESS UNITED 18 5 3 10 27 43 18
INVERGORDON 18 5 1 12 20 56 16
TAIN THISTLE 18 1 1 16 23 72 4
The eagerly awaited Caithness derby is in Invergordon with the Jock Mackay Memorial Cup on offer to the winners.
It is the first final between the county rivals since 2003 when an Alan Murray goal was enough to give the Vikings a 1-0 victory in the final of the Football Times Cup at the Dammies
Thurso will enter tomorrow’s game as decided underdogs, having lost both league games and a previous cup-tie to the Anglers.
Manager Stevie Reid is delighted to finish what was always going to be a testing campaign with an appearance in a final.
“We couldn’t ask for a better finale than a final against Halkirk,” he said.
“It’s obviosusly going to be tough but we’re looking forward to it.”
Young midfielder Michael Petrie is expected to have shaken off a knock he picked up earlier this week in a local Thurso league game.
Defender Stuart Sinclair continues to be ruled out through work commitments, which could also deprive the Vikings of experienced midfielder Jamie Mackenzie.
Young central defender Gordon Steven should be back in the picture and it is hoped experienced sweeper Kevin Warner will also be available.
Halkirk boss Ian MacDonald is looking for his side to bounce back from last Saturday’s demoralising 6-5 league reverse at Bonar Bridge .
He is wary of the threat posed by the Vikings.
“They seem to have been doing pretty well in their last few games.
“Like all derbies, we know how each other plays and it probably boil fdown to who gets the breaks on the day.”
Defender Stuart Florence and striker Stevie Reid remain on the injury list while Gavin Henderson is suspended.
Martin Murray is unavailable but top marksmen Mark Nichol and Sandy Sutherland are set to rejoin the travelling squad.
Golspie retained the title after two back-to-back 3-0 wins on their travels.
Shane Sutherland added to an early Robbie MacDougall double to see them home in their midweek clash in Alness.
The same players struck in their 3-0 win versus Bunillidh on Saturday though the game was goal-less until the last 20 minutes.
MacDougall broke the deadlock and added a second after Sutherland netted.
MSIS NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE
Pl W D L F A Pts
GOLSPIE 16 15 0 1 74 12 45
HALKIRK UNITED 17 12 0 3 73 26 38
BALINTORE 17 10 2 5 47 32 32
MUIR OF ORD 18 9 2 7 35 38 29
THURSO 18 7 4 7 33 30 25
BONAR BRIDGE 17 8 1 8 39 45 25
BUNILLIDH THISTLE 17 6 2 9 26 43 20
ALNESS UNITED 18 5 3 10 27 43 18
INVERGORDON 18 5 1 12 20 56 16
TAIN THISTLE 18 1 1 16 23 72 4