Second-half 'horror show' as Vikings crash out of cup
Thurso saw their last chance of silverware this season disappear after what their manager Michael Bremner called a second-half "horror show" against Invergordon.
Two down at the break in Saturday's North Caledonian Cup first-round tie at Naver, the Vikings conceded five more in the second period as the Easter Ross side ran out 7-0 winners.
To add to Thurso's woes, striker James Murray suffered a head injury for the second time this season and he will miss the remainder of the North Caley campaign.
"I thought the line-up was looking strong but it all went to pot," Bremner said. "They scored after about four minutes and another one came quickly after that.
"The first half wasn't too bad but the second half was a horror show – it was just one after another.
"They're a good team, don't get me wrong, but there wasn't much fight about us. We were kind of passive. It wasn't good."
Bremner will be looking for a reaction in this weekend's league fixture away to Alness United. Alness are eighth in the table, while Thurso are 11th.
"It's another tough one," the manager said. "We've got a few boys out but I'm just wanting a bit of improvement."
Ben Kelly's double had Invergordon 2-0 up at the break. Kelly completed his hat-trick soon after the restart and the league champions added further goals through Jack Mackay, Callum Murray, Andrew Miller and Stuart Leslie.
The result means Thurso's only target for the rest of the season will be to improve their league position.
Invergordon will be at home to Inverness Athletic in the quarter-finals.
Elsewhere in the first round, Nairn County "A" thumped Clachnacuddin 5-0 in Inverness.
Kieran Duffty scored twice in the first period and netted a second-half penalty to complete his hat-trick, with Ryan Moodie and Robbie Lean also on target.
Nairn "A" meet Alness United at home in the quarter-finals.
St Duthus will take on Loch Ness in Tain in the last eight.
Results – North Caledonian Cup, first round: Bonar Bridge 1, Golspie Sutherland 6; Clachnacuddin "A" 0, Nairn County "A" 5; Thurso 0, Invergordon 7.
Fixtures for Saturday, January 21 – North Caledonian League: Alness United v Thurso (1pm); Bonar Bridge v Clachnacuddin "A"; Halkirk United v Golspie Sutherland (1pm); Invergordon v Inverness Athletic; Nairn County "A" v Fort William; St Duthus v Loch Ness.
