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Draw at St Duthus felt like a defeat, says Thurso boss Stevie Reid


By Alan Hendry

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Thurso boss Stevie Reid says his players have upped their game and the confidence is coming back. Picture: James Gunn
Thurso boss Stevie Reid says his players have upped their game and the confidence is coming back. Picture: James Gunn

Thurso manager Stevie Reid admitted that last weekend's draw with St Duthus felt like a defeat after two lapses of concentration in the second half.

The Vikings were 2-0 up going into the final 20 minutes of the North Caledonian League clash at Grant Park but the Tain side battled back for a share of the points, with the equaliser coming with just a couple of minutes to go.

"It was very disappointing," Reid said. "I would say we were the better team throughout. We were deservedly two goals up and we looked like going on to score another one.

"It was just two mad lapses of concentration, and I'm afraid you can't do that. We paid the price for it.

"Ultimately it felt like a defeat and everybody was devastated about it. Hopefully we'll learn a lesson from that and cut out the mistakes."

Nevertheless the Vikings are making good progress after picking up a win and a draw in successive Division One away fixtures against Golspie and now St Duthus.

"You've got to give the boys praise for that," Reid said. "We had a really poor start to the season with two defeats but they've upped their game and the confidence seems to be coming back.

"We had a lot of changes [at the start of the season] so naturally it was going to take a wee while. We've got a bit of momentum and they are playing well.

"Everything is going fine and I think you can see that in the results."

This weekend the Vikings have a home tie against Alness United in the North Caledonian Cup. Reid won't be paying too much attention to the fact that the Easter Ross outfit are in Division Two.

"I believe they are a very good side," he said. "I know a lot of their players from playing against them before.

"The first and second division thing doesn't mean an awful lot – I think it was just a way to get things off and running. It will be a very, very tough game."

Conor Trueman and James McLean could be injury doubts.

It is possible the tie will be switched from the Dammies to the Naver all-weather surface.

Last Saturday, Thurso were denied a second away victory in as many weeks when Adam Allan struck an 89th-minute equaliser for St Duthus.

After a goalless first half, Bobby Gunn put the Vikings ahead on 58 minutes. When Sean Campbell doubled their lead in the 67th minute it looked as though Reid's men were on course for another three points on the road following their win at Golspie.

However, Ben Bruce reduced the deficit with 20 minutes to go before Allan's late intervention tied it up at 2-2.

Campbell's goal was his third in two games but he is now off to Wick Academy.

Saturday's fixtures: North Caledonian League – Division One: Halkirk United v Orkney. Division Two – Bonar Bridge v Scourie.

North Caledonian Cup, first round: Golspie Sutherland v Nairn County “A”; Invergordon v Inverness Athletic; Loch Ness v St Duthus; Thurso v Alness United.


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