Thurso will look to regroup after North Caledonian League’s festive break
Thurso manager Tom McKenna will be hoping to see increased numbers at training when the Vikings look to regroup after the festive break.
McKenna’s side suffered their 12th defeat in 14 North Caledonian League fixtures this season when they went down 6-0 to Golspie Sutherland at King George V Park at the weekend.
They remain 10th in the 12-team division on six points, one point above Clachnacuddin “A” and two ahead of bottom club Bunillidh Thistle.
McKenna told his players not to be discouraged by Saturday’s result because there were positive aspects to the performance.
“We started off really well,” he said. “The lads played some good football.
“It’s just unfortunate that we just can’t score goals and we concede really poor goals that are avoidable.
“From box to box the lads do well. It’s just that in the two most important areas of the park we’re struggling to defend and to create anything of note.
“That’s the thing we need to try and fix.”
He added: “It’s hard with the numbers at training. You’ve got a core of very good lads who are committed and reliable, but outwith that we struggle.
“We’ve got a lot of bodies within the group chat and we just seem to struggle week in, week out, for numbers. It’s hard going – all you can do at training is just micro-coach because of the numbers we’re getting.
“It’ll be nice if the lads get a break and we regroup and in the second half of the season we can get better numbers and work harder to move forward.”
When he was appointed in the summer, McKenna said he wanted to help make Thurso a competitive force again.
He admits it has been a harder task than he anticipated.
“It has been a difficult first half of the season,” McKenna said. “It’s frustrating, because there are very good lads there, but with one thing and another we’re struggling with it.
“We just need more support, i.e. commitment.
“You go in, you’ve got expectations, and you think you can turn things around and everything. But if you don’t have the personnel, it’s hard to try and motivate players and generally improve people’s development or knowledge.
“It has been difficult, I’ll admit that.”
Korbyn Cameron hit a first-half double for Golspie and further goals came after the break from Cameron Sutherland, Sam Barclay, Joe Anderson and Morgan Kennedy.
Invergordon kept up their dogged pursuit of league leaders Halkirk United with a 5-0 home victory over Fort William. The scorers were Ken Morrison, Kyle Maclean, Ally MacDonald, Ben Bruce and Cameron Mackintosh.
Elsewhere there were wins for Inverness Athletic and Orkney, while it was honours even between Bunillidh Thistle and St Duthus.
The next North Caledonian League fixtures are on January 4, with Thurso scheduled to take on Halkirk United at the Dammies that day.
North Caledonian League results: Bunillidh Thistle 2, St Duthus 2; Halkirk United 5, Bonar Bridge 1; Golspie Sutherland 6, Thurso 0; Invergordon 5, Fort William 0; Inverness Athletic 3, Alness United 0; Orkney 5, Clachnacuddin “A” 2.
North Caledonian League fixtures for Saturday, January 4: Alness United v Invergordon; Golspie Sutherland v Bunillidh Thistle; Inverness Athletic v Clachnacuddin “A”; St Duthus v Bonar Bridge; Thurso v Halkirk United (1pm).