Halkirk United 0 V Thurso 3 – Saturday the 6^th of March 2004 – Morris Newton Cup Second Round – Report by Brian Mackay

Halkirk United – Swanson, G.Mackay, Blair, Sinclair, Martin, Fearns, A.Farquhar, G.Coghill,

MacDonald, J.Farquhar, M.Bremner. Subs – M.Munro, D.Munro and Gunn.

Thurso – J.Mackay, A.Sutherland, Morris, Moar, Warner, G.Bremner, N.MacKenzie,

R.Sutherland (Reid 67), Murray (J.MacKenzie 67), P.Makhouli, MacDougall (Angus 80).

At the start of this local derby match it was a sunny day with a strong, cool breeze blowing across the Recreation Park pitch. During the game there were spells of heavy rain and the wind increased in strength causing both sets of players a lot of problems keeping possession of the ball. Thurso were forced into making changes to their team with Willie Inrig recovering from the dislocated elbow he received in The PCT Cup final two weeks ago, plus Brian Gray being suspended and Cassidy unavailable, Gordie Reid, Graham Angus and Jamie MacKenzie were drafted in.

Thurso started the match strongly with Nigel MacKenzie and Lee MacDougall causing problems on the wings and playing in some dangerous balls. Thurso’s early dominance was rewarded with the opening goal in the third minute, as Makhouli broke free through on goal, only to be halted by Coghill who clipped the striker just inside the box and referee Anderson pointed to the spot. In Gray’s absence Gavin Bremner stepped up to calmly slot the ball past Swanson to give Thurso a deserved lead.

After seven minutes Halkirk had their first effort on goal as Alan Farquhar tested Jack Mackay from distance but the big keeper collected the ball cleanly.

In the tenth minute Thurso midfielder Gavin Bremner played in Alan Murray who shot over the bar as Thurso threatened to break even further ahead.

Nigel MacKenzie was next to test Swanson in the 17^th minute with a low angled drive.

Thurso took a strong grip of the game as a high ball was played into the box and assisted by Sutherland Makhouli found himself in space on the left and blasted the ball past Swanson from an angle about 10 yards out.

Eight minutes later there was a moment of controversy as the ball avoided several Thurso players, then Murray and landed at the feet of MacDougall on the left corner of the box who flighted a brilliant shot into the top right hand corner of Swanson’s net only to be disappointed by the assistant referee flagging for offside.

The game then went a bit stale as heavy rain pounded the ground with supporters making for the shelter of the pavilion.

With five minutes to go before half time the weather improved and the sun came out and Murray nearly made it three for Thurso but his shot was blocked by the hard pushed Halkirk defence, but with a minute before half time, Thurso effectively killed off the game as a contest as a ball was played into the box from the right, headed across the face of goal by Ross Sutherland and headed home from close range by Murray.

Half-time – Halkirk 0 V Thurso 3

Halkirk made two changes at half time with Mark Munro and Graham Gunn coming on. Halkirk started the second half well with manager Iain MacDonald’s words ringing in their ears and almost pulled a goal back as Michael Bremner was put right through on goal. Thurso keeper Mackay committed himself early, Bremner went round him and when he was about to put the ball in the empty net, lost his footing on the greasy surface and Mackay scrambled back to flop on the ball and the chance was gone.

Thurso almost extended their lead in the 63^rd minute as Warner intercepted the ball on the edge of his box, played the ball to Bremner who found Murray running through with two Halkirk defenders in attendance, however the nippy Thurso striker managed to get a toe to the ball and it trickled just wide of the target.

A minute later Michael Bremner was looking lively again and turned Warner and played in a dangerous ball across the face of goal with no takers at the far post for the home side.

With 23 minutes to go Thurso made two changes as Ross Sutherland and Murray took a well-deserved rest with Gordie Reid and Jamie MacKenzie taking their place.

With 13 minutes remaining Jamie MacKenzie shot wide from the edge of the box after being set up by his brother Nigel.

With ten minutes remaining Thurso youngster Graham Angus replaced the hard working MacDougall on the wing for the away side. A minute later Halkirk’s best player on the day Bremner shot wide of goal from the edge of the box.

With five minutes to go Thurso sub Angus almost opened his account as MacKenzie set him up at the back post, however the youngster lost his footing and the ball was scrambled clear by The Halkirk rearguard.

With three minutes to go Nigel MacKenzie broke down the left and crossed for brother Jamie but the ball was cut out.

With a minute to go Gavin Mackay received a yellow card for speaking out of turn to the referee and the last chance of the game fell to Thurso sub Gordie Reid who was set up at the edge of the box but shot well wide of the target.

Other results on the day were all in the league as Balintore kept their championship hopes alive with a 3-1 home win against Alness United and Dornoch and Tain completed their league fixtures as Dornoch won 7-3 and climbed above Halkirk United in the table.

Next weekend sees a mixture of league and cup fixtures again as Bunillidh play hosts to Alness United at Helmsdale with Thurso awaiting the winners in the semi-final and Dornoch travelling to Golspie in The Morris Newton Cup Second Round (2.30 p.m kick-offs) and in The league Balintore take on Invergordon at Seaboard Park and Thurso host Bonar Bridge at The Dammies with both league games kicking off at 3.00 p.m.