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‘Massive game’ at Dammies as Vikings look to stay above Clach





Thurso are third from bottom in the North Caledonian League after a difficult campaign so far. Picture: James Gunn
Thurso are third from bottom in the North Caledonian League after a difficult campaign so far. Picture: James Gunn

Thurso face a “massive game” this weekend at home to Clachnacuddin “A”, one of the two teams below them in the North Caledonian League table.

The Vikings have six points, one more than the Inverness side, both having played 15 games. Bunillidh Thistle are propping up the 12-team division with four points from their 13 fixtures to date.

Thurso have struggled to get a settled squad this season and they were beaten 4-0 by Orkney in their first outing since the winter break.

Manager Tom McKenna hopes to have decent numbers at his disposal for Saturday’s match at the Dammies.

“If they beat us they’ll go above us, so it’s a massive game for us,” McKenna said. “But it’s an opportunity for us to win a game and get three points.”

Fifth-placed Orkney scored twice in each half at Kirkwall Grammar School sports centre last weekend. Their scorers were Aiden Drever, Liam Delday, Toby Macleod and Jason Scott.

McKenna said: “It’s hard work trying to get a team week in, week out. We’re constantly chasing to try and just get 11 players on the park. It does become draining after a while.

“There’s a core of guys that are absolutely brilliant. If we could get more players to support them, I think Thurso could move forward.

“But at the moment, it’s hard to get a stabilised team together.

“Before the game on Saturday I said it’s going to be difficult, you’re up against a decent team over in Orkney.

“Because the team is changing every single week we can’t gain that familiarity between each other – there’s no chemistry between the players because there are so many changes with the team. You need that familiarity, you need that chemistry.

“We got beaten 4-0 and I said there’s not one bit of me that will question anyone’s endeavour for the 90 minutes. Nobody goes on the park to be lazy, nobody goes on the park not to try or not do enough… I would never question anyone’s efforts within the game.

“At the end of the day, Orkney had a lot more cohesion within their group, good strong individuals, and they were a lot sharper than us.

“But the boys made it difficult for them – it wasn’t all one-way traffic.”

Golspie thrashed Fort William 7-0 at King George V Park in the only other league game last Saturday. Scorers were Graham MacNab, Lewis Harkness, Steven Sutherland, Korbyn Cameron and Sam Barclay before a late double from David Murray.

Results – North Caledonian Cup, first round: Alness United 3, Bunillidh Thistle 1; Bonar Bridge 1, Inverness Athletic 5; Clachnacuddin “A” 0, Invergordon 7; Halkirk United 2, St Duthus 0.

North Caledonian League: Golspie Sutherland 7, Fort William 0; Orkney 4, Thurso 0.

Fixtures for Saturday, January 25 – North Caledonian League: Alness United v Bonar Bridge; Bunillidh Thistle v Inverness Athletic; Halkirk United v Orkney (1pm); Invergordon v Golspie Sutherland; St Duthus v Fort William; Thurso v Clachnacuddin “A” (1pm).

Wednesday, January 29 – North Caledonian League: Alness United v Invergordon; Golspie Sutherland v Bunillidh Thistle.

Saturday, February 1 – North Caledonian League: Alness United v Halkirk United (1pm); Bunillidh Thistle v Orkney; Inverness Athletic v Clachnacuddin “A”; St Duthus v Bonar Bridge. North Caledonian Cup, quarter-final: Invergordon v Thurso (1pm).

Saturday, February 8 – North Caledonian League: Bunillidh Thistle v Bonar Bridge; Clachnacuddin “A” v Alness United; Halkirk United v Fort William (1pm); St Duthus v Invergordon; Thurso v Inverness Athletic (1pm). North Caledonian Cup, quarter-final: Orkney v Golspie Sutherland.


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