McKenna praises Thurso’s resilience after away win on opening day
Tom McKenna hailed the resilience and togetherness shown by Thurso as they began the new North Caledonian League season with a morale-boosting 2-0 away win against Clachnacuddin “A”.
It was his first game as manager since being appointed in the summer after previous boss Scott Davidson announced he was standing down.
McKenna is looking for progress after the club finished second bottom in each of the past two North Caley campaigns and has been busy trying to assemble a squad.
First-half goals by Bobby Gunn and Jack MacGregor secured the three points at Inverness Royal Academy on Saturday.
“It was a good result taking into consideration the few days building up to the game, everything I had to deal with, trying to get players,” McKenna said.
“I spoke to a player at 11 o’clock on Friday night, trying to get bodies in. It has been really difficult for us and I’m just hoping, fingers crossed, it becomes a lot easier with the summer league and the Highland Amateur Cup finishing now.
“The first half was even – they probably edged it. In the second half our retention of the ball was poor, we just kept giving it away. To be totally honest our backs were against the wall for large periods of the second half.
“We defended superbly well and young Ben Sutherland in goal made some great saves. You’re talking about asking players to put their bodies on the line.
“They showed a lot of resilience, but the moments in the game where they had opportunities to keep the ball and take a wee bit of pressure off, that just wasn’t there on Saturday. I’m hoping that by working together we can improve the performance levels.
“Defensively, that resilience, that togetherness, and being brave at times, gives us a foundation to work on.
“Clach reserves were a good young team. They were fit, they were sharp, they were technically good players, so it was a decent result, taking everything into consideration.
“It gives everyone a big morale boost. You hope they’ll be looking forward to training now and looking forward to this Saturday’s fixture.”
Thurso take on Inverness Athletic on Saturday at Ferry Brae Park in North Kessock.
“I believe they’re quite a strong team so it’ll be another good test for us,” McKenna said.
Athletic won 3-1 at Fort William in the first round of league games at the weekend. Ben Bruce scored twice as Invergordon began with a 2-0 win at Golspie, while Bonar Bridge drew 1-1 with St Duthus.
North Caledonian League fixtures for Saturday, August 24: Alness v Clachnacuddin “A”; Bunillidh Thistle v Golspie Sutherland; Fort William v Bonar Bridge; Halkirk United St Duthus (2pm); Invergordon v Orkney; Inverness Athletic v Thurso (2pm).