Reid has goalkeeping dilemma for Invergordon match after Thurso book cup final place
Thurso manager Stevie Reid has a goalkeeping dilemma as the Vikings look to get their North Caledonian League campaign back on track after booking a cup final place.
First-choice keeper Asa Sinclair pulled off some vital saves in the 2-0 victory over Loch Ness in their Football Times Cup semi-final at Fortrose last weekend, but picked up an elbow injury along the way and is a major doubt for Saturday's home league game against Invergordon.
Reid was delighted with the all-round performance against Loch Ness but is keen to see his team improve their league position after two wins and four defeats in their opening six fixtures.
“Saturday is going to be another really tough one," the manager said.
"It looks like we are missing a keeper, unfortunately. Asa has hurt his elbow and he messaged me saying he is very, very doubtful for Saturday – he certainly won't be training.
“There is really a shortage of keepers but there are a couple of names that have been fired at me so I'll see what I can do."
Reid also hopes Luke Manson will recover from an ankle knock he sustained in the cup clash, in which Thurso turned the tables on their hosts after losing 2-0 on league business a week earlier.
“I said that if they could start the game the way they started the second half the previous week, we were in with every chance," Reid said.
“We were down there early, a good hour-and-a-half before, but it worked out fine because I do feel sometimes an hour is not quite enough. It worked out perfectly.
"We got to do a lot of talking which we don't normally get the luxury of, so it's maybe a thing we should do going forward.
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4 / 4“I can't fault the boys – they were right up for it.
“I had a good feeling about it. Sure as anything they started the game the way they finished it the previous week and deserved the win.
“There were a couple of scary moments. Asa had to pull off a couple of cracking saves but overall it was a good display.
“Marc Macgregor made a difference as well. We changed things around a wee bit, we put Luke Manson into the centre midfield to give extra bite and energy, and it worked a treat.”
Cameron Montgomery slotted home the opener in the first half. Sinclair preserved the lead with what Reid called a "wonder save" from a header.
“They upped their levels after that because they are a threat going forward, Loch Ness, there's no doubt about it. But we took a firm grip of it, especially in the middle of the park, and we defended well when we had to, so it was really pleasing to see.”
Loch Ness had a man sent off before the Vikings doubled their lead. From a long throw by Craig Kennedy, Loch Ness keeper Michael Miele appeared to palm the ball off the back of Macgregor's head and into the net.
The Vikings will take on local rivals Halkirk United in the final on November 20 at Wick's Harmsworth Park.
Now the focus returns to the league as third-placed Invergordon head for the Dammies.
“I'm trying to get it into their heads that every game should be treated like a cup final – their attitude and everything," Reid said. "That's the way they have to perform. They can't afford to sit in and just go through the motions.
“At some stages I've felt that we were maybe trying to overplay, which is nice to see sometimes, but as the pitches are now heavier you can't afford to do that.
“We've got a few tough games before the final. We've got Invergordon and St Duthus both at home, then Nairn County 'A' away. St Duthus had a few results that they probably didn't expect at the start of the season but they've picked up again.”
Loch Ness manager Shane Carling said: “They wanted it more, that was the difference between the two teams. We had chance after chance and just never put the ball in the back of the net.
“Well done to Thurso – they came up with a game plan, they stuck to it and worked hard and scored the goals.
“If you don’t score goals you won’t win games, so fair play to them and all the best to them in the final.
“To be honest, though, it was probably still our worst performance of the season. I don’t know if the semi-final got to them, but we will move on to the next match, that’s all we can do.”