Surprise win delights Vikings boss Reid
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Thurso boss Stevie Reid is delighted his side got off to a winning start – but admitted he expected a tougher afternoon at St Duthus.
The Vikings travelled to Tain more in hope than expectation for their North Caledonian League opener only to pull off a surprise 3-2 victory.
A double from Michael Petrie and a further strike by Cameron Montgomery secured the points, with Jon Campbell and Cammy Mackintosh replying for the home side.
Petrie received his marching orders late in the game for a second yellow card offence.
For Reid, given the struggles he's had in trying to cobble a pre-season together, this victory was more than welcome.
"I expected St Duthus to be tough," he said. "They were tough but we were braced for a harder time.
"We've had our issues in trying to raise numbers for training and we've struggled to arrange fixtures to get us match-fit.
It was squeaky bum time as those three minutes turned into six.
"St Duthus, however, have had a good pre-season so we knew how hard this would be.
"Our fears were confirmed in the first half which they dominated. Ironically, their opening goal came via a breakaway when we had a stonewall penalty denied.
"But against the run of play, we did get a penalty and went in level at the break. The second half, though, saw us step up a level, which was pleasing.
"We definitely controlled the game and got two more goals. We let them back in it late on when the three minutes of injury time began.
"In fact it was squeaky bum time as those three minutes turned into six. I don't know how that happened."
Next up for Reid and his Vikings is another road trip on Saturday with Bunillidh Thistle being their hosts.
Bunillidh are smarting from a 7-1 tanking they received at the hands of Inverness Athletic. Nathan Wilson got Thistle's goal but Athletic's Jack Mackay (2), Dean Allison, Michael Corbett, Michael Grant, Gary Cornish and Martin MacDonald proved too much for the Helmsdale side.
Reid added: "It's always a tough game there and their pitch markings will be interesting to see as they've changed a couple of times in the past.
"In fairness to them, there's a spot of soft ground that seems to be badly affected when it rains so if it's wet then I'd imagine the pitch touchline will be moved in order to get the game played. "
Hopefully this will serve as a wake-up call and we'll see an improvement.
Meanwhile, Halkirk will be hoping for a complete change of fortune when they head down to St Duthus in the second round of the Jock Mackay Cup.
The Anglers made their way over the Pentland Firth to face Orkney only to be sent back on the boat with their tails between their legs as the islanders hammered them 8-0.
Liam Delday led the way with a superb haul of four goals while Chris Simpson, Zak Singh, Callan Jessiman and James Pickles also netted.
Halkirk boss Gordon MacDonald said: "Yes, we're low on numbers and we've a fairly young squad, but we were not at the races at all.
"Orkney were very good – no argument there. But we didn't pass the ball well, and if you can't get that right then you're in for a tough time.
"Hopefully this will serve as a wake-up call and we'll see an improvement at St Duthus.
"Changes are usually made following a defeat like this but I'll have to see what the numbers are like for us ahead of the game before I can make them."
Elsewhere, Bonar Bridge's return to the North Caledonian League did not go entirely to plan as they were thrashed 11-0 at Invergordon.
Ian Penwright (3), Shaun Kerr (2), Darran Goller (2), Cameron Houston, Scott Houston, Kyle MacDonald and Jordan Knight were all on target for the home side.
