Vikings eager to make amends against bottom club Bunillidh
Thurso will be eager to avenge their defeat to Bunillidh Thistle at the start of this month when the teams meet again at the Dammies on Saturday.
The North Caledonian League’s bottom club picked up their first points of the season when they ran out 2-0 winners at Couper Park in Helmsdale on November 2.
Since then, Thurso have suffered back-to-back 3-2 defeats – against Fort William at the Dammies and then away to Alness United last weekend.
The Easter Ross side were three up at the break courtesy of Jude Fraser, Cameron Grant and Calum Coli. But the Vikings rallied with goals from Bobby Gunn and Lewis Mackillop.
Thurso manager Tom McKenna said: “It was very much a game of two halves. Alness started really sharp and passed the ball with a quickness which didn’t allow us to settle into the match.
“Through this period of dominance Alness scored three goals. As much as we were bitterly disappointed going in at half-time 3-0 behind, we had no right to dispute the scoreline due to our lacklustre performance.
“The second half was very much a vast improvement. Our work rate was of a greater intensity, with and without the ball. This was to be the difference in our play from the first half.
“With more possession, the players grew in confidence and played with more positivity. We were able to create numerous opportunities from which we scored two goals.
“Unfortunately our push forward was too late to allow us to take anything away from the game.
“That’s two games now we have performed better in the second half. We can’t wait until the interval and a stern chat to realise we have to start playing.
“It’s a very important fixture for us on Saturday against Bunillidh at home. We have to show that we’ve learned from our last outing against them, make sure that we start from the first whistle, and make the most of our home advantage.”
Thurso remain third from bottom, three points ahead of Bunillidh and two points better off than Clachnacuddin “A”.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Craig Gunn hit a hat-trick in Golspie’s 3-1 victory over Clachnacuddin “A” at Evanton. Cruz Hastings scored for the Inverness side.
Goals from Cameron Mackintosh, James Ross and Calum Brown (2) gave Invergordon a 4-0 home victory over St Duthus as the champions kept up the pressure on leaders Halkirk United.
Inverness Athletic won 3-1 at home to Bonar Bridge.
North Caledonian League results: Alness United 3, Thurso 2; Clachnacuddin “A” 1, Golspie Sutherland 3; Fort William 1, Halkirk United 2; Invergordon 4, St Duthus 0; Inverness Athletic 3, Bonar Bridge 1.
Fixtures for Saturday, November 23 – Football Times Cup final: Alness United v Inverness Athletic.
North Caledonian League: Bonar Bridge v Orkney; Halkirk United v Fort William (1pm); Invergordon v Clachnacuddin “A”; Thurso v Bunillidh Thistle (1pm).
