Festival commitments mean Thurso are down to 'bare bones'

THURSO manager Stevie Reid admits to being down to the “bare bones” ahead of his side's North Caledonian League fixture against St Duthus at Tain's Grant Park on Saturday.

Up to half a dozen of the Vikings' players are expected to miss the match due to this weekend's Tunes By the Dunes music festival at Dunnet, which is organised jointly by Pentland United and Thurso FC.

“A lot of our players have to work at the event,” explained the Thurso boss. “We will just have to go with what we have. But it's not all doom and gloom – we have a lot of good young lads who can come in and do a job.”

Added to Reid's woes is the fact he is struggling to find a replacement goalkeeper for James More, who has returned to Wick Academy. The experienced James Murray and Conor Cormack have moved on to other North Caley clubs.

Gordon MacDonald's young Halkirk United side set sail for Orkney for their league opener against the islanders at Dounby.

Elsewhere, last season's runners-up Invergordon host new boys Bonar Bridge at the Recreation Grounds, while Inverness Athletic have home advantage against Bunillidh Thistle at Inverness Royal Academy.

Last Saturday's Caithness derby between Thurso and Halkirk United was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, while the Bonar Bridge v Orkney match was also a washout.

In the only match to survive, St Duthus defeated Bunillidh Thistle 4-1 in the first round of the Jock MacKay Memorial Cup.

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