First aim is to get more points on the board, says new Thurso manager
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New manager Scott Davidson says the immediate priority for Thurso is to start picking up points in the North Caledonian League – starting with Saturday's trip to face much-improved Bonar Bridge at Migdale.
Davidson took over after Michael Bremner announced his resignation in the aftermath of a 3-1 loss to St Duthus earlier this month.
His first game in charge was a 5-1 home defeat against second-placed Fort William last weekend, but Davidson is confident that he can turn things around and get the Vikings off the bottom of the table.
The 32-year-old engineer was a coach under previous boss Stevie Reid before sharing manager duties with Bremner when the latter was appointed almost two years ago. Davidson won the league during his time as a player with Halkirk United when Bremner was also in the team.
“We had a lot of promise coming into the season and unfortunately it has just not gone that way to start with," Davidson said.
“We had a good victory on the first day of the season [4-2 at home to Alness United] and obviously we were looking to try and build on that – but it has not really materialised, unfortunately.
“It's not a bad time of the season for me to come into this sort of position because we've got a whole season to go rather than it only being three or four games at the end.
“Last week we had decent numbers at training and the same again this week.
“I'm trying to create a core squad of players that are going to be there 99 per cent of the time. I feel that's what we've got started already, although it has only been a couple of weeks.
“I'm going to challenge the players to be committed. Hopefully I can change things around.
“First and foremost we want to start getting some points on the board, starting on Saturday against Bonar Bridge.
“They've certainly improved on last year. I don't know personnel-wise if it has changed drastically, but their results have certainly changed. They'll be full of confidence.
"It will not be a walkover as it might have been last year. It'll be a difficult game but we'll go down there confident of trying to get three points."
Fort's Martin Munro did most of the damage last weekend, helping himself to four goals, with Lewis Campbell also on the scoresheet. Thurso replied with a cracking free kick by substitute Michael Steven.
“We had a lot more guys available," Davidson said. "Obviously the result didn't go the way we wanted it to, but Fort William are a decent side. They attract players from south of the border to come up and they've given them jobs.
"Teams like ourselves and Halkirk United are never going to be able to compete with the likes of that. They are training three or four times a week.
“They're obviously the only team, along with Golspie, that have got the facilities [for the Highland League] so that should be on their agenda, to try and get back up.”
Meanwhile, champions Loch Ness say they will appeal after being kicked out of the Football Times Cup and deducted three North Caledonian League points for fielding an ineligible player in three matches. They claim they have done nothing wrong.
The games included Football Times Cup first-round and quarter-final ties against Invergordon and Clachnacuddin "A" on August 26 and September 16 respectively. Invergordon and Clachnacuddin "A" have been reinstated and will face each other in a rearranged quarter-final.
Loch Ness were also found to have fielded an ineligible player in a league match on August 19 against Clachnacuddin "A" which they won 5-0.
As a consequence, Loch Ness have been deducted three points and Clach "A" awarded three points.
However, Loch Ness are fighting the decision by the North Caledonian Football Association.
In a statement on social media, they said: "Loch Ness FC has received a charge from the North Caledonian Football League regarding the eligibility of a player over three fixtures, under the statutes of international clearance.
"We will promptly engage with the relevant authorities via an appeal process, as we firmly believe that the club has not committed any administrative error and has diligently fulfilled all necessary requirements."
The club suggested that the alleged error was of "external origin", adding: "Loch Ness should not be held accountable for mistakes beyond the club's control."
Invergordon remain at the top of the table after a 3-2 victory in Orkney on Saturday.
Loch Ness beat Alness United 7-0 at the weekend, with doubles from Jake Lockett and Allan Macphee. Also on target were Josh Race, Chris Innes and Sam Urquhart.
St Duthus beat Bonar Bridge 3-0 with goals from Aaron Skinner, Finn As-Chainey (penalty) and Scott MacDonald.
North Caledonian League results: Inverness Athletic 3, Halkirk United 4; Loch Ness 7, Alness United 0; Orkney 2, Invergordon 3; St Duthus 3, Bonar Bridge 0; Thurso 1, Fort William 5.
North Caledonian League fixtures for Saturday, September 30: Bonar Bridge v Thurso (2pm); Fort William v Clachnacuddin "A"; Golspie v Loch Ness; Halkirk United v Alness United (2pm); Invergordon v St Duthus; Orkney v Inverness Athletic.
