Match report from Alness United 0 V Thurso 3 Morris Newton Cup Semi-Final- Saturday 3rd of April 2004
Alness United Robertson, E.Murray (Buntain 24), J.Bremner, Docherty, R.MacDougall,
Stewart, Munro, Davidson, Ross, MacDonald, Doull. Subs Maitland and Wright
Thurso B.Mackay, Gray (Angus 77), Morris, Warner, Forbes, G.Bremner, N.MacKenzie,
P.Makhouli, A.Murray, Cassidy (Coghill 72), L.MacDougall (Baker 73).
Perfect conditions for football greeted the Thurso squad from their long trip to Alness. Thurso manager Duncan Gray made several changes from last weeks disappointing defeat at home to Balintore with Brian Mackay replacing Jack Mackay in goal, Allan Sutherland, Phil Green and Trevor McLeod dropping out of the squad completely with Graham Angus, Kevin Morris and Lee MacDougall coming back in. Coghill, Baker and Angus took their places on the bench.
Alness United seemed to have several changes from the last time Thurso played them with influential veteran striker Ross Jack, Carl Jack and David Chapman nowhere to be seen.
2 mins Good link up play between Makhouli, MacDougall, Murray, Cassidy and MacKenzie, which was to be a feature of The Thurso performance throughout the afternoon.
10 mins Alness win a corner, taken by Doull. Headed clear.
15 mins Murray run and cross to Cassidy, saved by Robertson.
16 mins Ball from Gray down the right to Makhouli who shot just wide of Left Hand post. Then another Murray run and cross to Cassidy was saved by Robertson as Thurso pushed for the opener.
20 mins Makhouli pass to Nigel MacKenzie, through the middle and brilliantly blocked by Robertson in the Alness goal.
24 mins Buntain on for Evan Murray for Alness United.
25 mins Thurso take the lead. Phil Makhouli and Gavin Bremner one-two on the edge of the box, Alness defender sliced his clearance, Makhouli challenges keeper, ball breaks to Alan Murray who pokes the ball under Robertson from inside the six yard box for a deserved lead.
28 mins Alness hit back as Ross crosses to MacDonald who heads the ball straight at Mackay who makes a comfortable save.
31 mins Lee MacDougall receives the ball from Bremner but is halted by an excellent tackle.
32 mins Murray breaks into the box and is brought down with a crude challenge, which goes unpunished, and the referee allows play to continue.
34 mins Cassidy receives the ball from MacKenzie, breaks down the left and plays the ball to Murray whos show from 16 yards is saved on the angle.
38 mins Thurso pushing for second goal as Makhouli plays in Murray who shoots into the keepers arms.
39 mins Thurso get a wake up call as a Doull corner is headed just wide by Stewart at the back post.
40 mins Cassidy pass to Murray, cut out by pushed Alness defence.
43 mins Nigel MacKenzie crudely brought down by Docherty who deservedly receives a yellow card after a series of fouls against Thurso attackers.
44 mins Docherty long free kick into the box headed clear by Morris under pressure in the six-yard box.
Half-time Alness 0 V Thurso 1
45 mins A rather portly Maitland appears up front for Alness United as a sub for the second half.
47 mins Ross shot saved by Mackay as Alness United start the second half strongly and Thurso look decidedly shaky for the opening spell after the break.
48 mins Dangerous ball by Davidson played into the box and headed clear by Morris.
49 mins Gavin Bremner shot from the edge of the box, deflected into the path of Alan Murray who was beaten to the ball by the keeper.
51 mins Forbes ball to MacDougall on the left cut out by Alness for a corner.
53 mins Buntain cross from Left hand side caught by Mackay under pressure.
56 mins Stewart booked for tripping Gavin Bremner who was breaking free in midfield.
60 mins Bremner brilliantly weighted through ball to Alan Murray who was straight through on Robertson, coming out of his gaol at speed and Murray produced a delightful chip into the back of the net from 20 yards.
63 mins Thurso win a free kick on the edge of the box, Lee MacDougall takes it, hits it into the wall, however Nigel MacKenzie thrashes the ball on the half volley into the top corner of the net past Robertson grasping thin air to make it three nil to Thurs and booked their third cup final appearance of the season.
65 mins Cassidy shot saved.
69 mins Great move involving Cassidy to Nigel Mackenzie to Murray whos shot was blocked as the lively Thurso front man was searching for his hat trick.
70 mins MacKenzie one-two with Cassidy who dragged his shot across the goal.
72 mins Coghill replaces Cassidy.
73 mins Alan Murray passes to Gavin Bremner whos volleyed effort flies just wide of the target. Baker replaced MacDougall.
76 mins Stewart cross from the left cut out by Mackay who was to eventually secure his sixth shut out in 7 matches for Thurso.
77 mins Graham Angus replaces Gray.
78 mins Murray shoots wide of goal, set up by MacKenzie.
83 mins Thurso playing some good passing football and have a great move between Bremner and Murray eventually cut out by the tiring Alness defence who have been run ragged by some speedy front play by Murray, MacDougall, Cassidy, MacKenzie and Makhouli prompted by Bremner in the midfield.
88 mins Coghill good interplay with Bremner and MacKenzie with the ball cleared for a throw-in.
89 mins MacKenzie shot wide from 18 yards.
92 mins Morris received straight red card for strong challenge on Munro. Then received two further reds for foul language and was called into the referees room after the match.
Final score soured by the sending off of Morris was Alness 0 V Thurso 3.
Thurso now play Balintore, who defeated Golspie 1-0 in the other semi-final and the game will be played on Saturday the 17th of April at Dudgeon Park in Brora (3.00 p.m k.o)
Next week sees two Football Times Cup Second Round ties in Caithness as Alness United travel north to The Dammies to take on Thurso and Halkirk United entertain Golspie Sutherland at Recreation Park. Both kick-offs are 2.30 p.m.