Reid ready to blood young Vikings
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Thurso boss Stevie Reid insists youngsters will continue to be given a chance in the cup competitions despite last weekend's home loss to Golspie Sutherland.
Reid saw his Vikings fall in the opening group match of their Football Times Cup campaign as Golspie headed back south with a 1-0 win thanks to Danny Coghill's first-half strike.
A trip to Bunillidh Thistle in the next group match awaits Reid's side on Saturday but the boss is determined to give the younger players in his squad a fair crack of the whip.
He said: "Myself and my assistant Michael Gray decided that we would use the cup competitions to give our younger boys a run-out in the first team.
"The young lads have been turning up for training every week and in some horrendous weather of late so it's only fair to give them a go.
"I've been there myself. I've turned up for training, worked hard, and yet sometimes I've not got a place on the bench.
"The only way they're going to develop as footballers is to play games – you can't do that from the sidelines.
You need to fill the onion bag to get something.
"Also, with life in the North Caledonian League being as it is, players will be absent through work along with the usual injuries and suspensions.
"Ideally you would want the young lads filling in to have had some experience at playing at this level."
As for the defeat to Golspie Sutherland, Reid had nothing but praise for his team.
He added: "We lost to an outstanding strike by Danny Coghill. It was a lovely strike that he hit sweetly from 20 yards out and no keeper would have stopped it.
"One of the boys did come in at half-time and apologised for not closing him down quicker, but you can't take anything away from Danny.
"Although we lost, that was one of the best displays that the boys have put up this season.
"We dominated in spells, and created some good chances, but you need to fill the onion bag to get something from football.
"Cameron Montgomery was unlucky not to score and Stevie Morris probably should have equalised with a header he had – although Charlie Fraser slashed the rebound wide."
Elsewhere in the Football Times Cup, Liam Rostock and Cammy Mackintosh gave St Duthus a 2-1 win at Invergordon who netted via Jordan Knight.
Inverness Athletic lost a penalty shoot-out 3-2 to Lewis and Harris following a 1-1 draw. Phil MacDonald gave Athletic the lead before the islanders levelled in the last minute through Josh Smith.
Fixtures (all kick-offs 1pm)
Saturday, November 30
Football Times Cup
Bunillidh Thistle v Thurso
Golspie Sutherland v Bonar Bridge
North Caledonian League
Halkirk United v Invergordon
St Duthus v Inverness Athletic
