Stag absentees will force Reid to blood young Vikings
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Thurso boss Stevie Reid admits he'll have to turn to his youngsters as a number of his regulars will miss Saturday's clash at Bonar Bridge to attend a stag do.
James McLean, their goal hero from last week's 3-1 win at Bunillidh Thistle, and Michael Petrie will be two notable absentees – among others – from the Vikings' teamsheet this week.
It's a setback for Reid as he looks to keep the momentum going after Thurso's flying start to their North Caledonian League campaign.
Last weekend, two goals from McLean and one from Stevie Morris – who himself will miss the Bonar game, albeit for more traditional footballing reasons – gave them the points at Helmsdale. Dean Cowie netted a late consolation for Bunillidh.
Bonar Bridge have had a testing time of it on their return to the league set-up and had Thurso been at full strength going into this one, you'd have had it down as an easy away win.
However, Reid's youngsters – minus the stags – will have to rely on what experience they have to carry them through.
Reid said: "We will be short on numbers for this due to injuries, work commitments and this stag party that some are going on.
"Given the time of year, the timing of it is not great and we will be missing some good players on Saturday.
"The youngsters, of course, have a great chance to stake their claim for regular first-team football.
"However, you need voices on the park as well as ability and that's what the guys who will not be available provide. Talented though the young boys are, they are very quiet.
"Last week at Bunillidh showed that. A good solid second-half saw us pull away to victory. As we are, once again, away from home, we need more of the same.
"I don't know too much about Bonar Bridge given they've only come back into the league.
"Yes, they've had some heavy losses so far, but we will be fielding young boys which may prove to be a leveller for Bonar so this could be a hard one for us."
Meanwhile, Reid cleared up the confusion that arose among spectators as the Vikings took to the field wearing county league side Pentland United's kit.
He said: "What happened is that we've got a new shirt sponsor but unfortunately we've had some issues getting the new kit to us. As Michael Gray [Thurso assistant manager] is also the Pentland manager in the summer, he gave us a loan of their kit. Hopefully we'll have our new kit on soon."
Halkirk are back on league duty at home to St Duthus – the same team that dumped them out of the Jock Mackay Cup last week.
In what was an unconvincing display, the Anglers could not rise to the Tain side's level as Ben Gordon's strike just before half-time was all they had to show from their 4-1 defeat. The St Duthus goals came via Jon Campbell, Ben Bruce, Mikey Rae and Cammy Mackintosh.
Golspie Sutherland advanced into the next round of the Jock Mackay Cup with a 7-0 thumping of Bonar Bridge. Grant Budge, Sandy Sutherland (2), Liam Bremner (2), Conor Cormack and Eoghann Davie were on target for Golspie.
Although through are Inverness Athletic who demolished Nairn County under-20s 8-1.
