Thurso genuine title contenders after beating champions Invergordon
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North Caledonian League
Thurso 1 Invergordon 0
Scorer: Macdonald (56 OG)
THURSO have moved four points clear at the top of the NCL after grinding out a hard fought victory against Invergordon.
The Vikings deserved their win against the league champions but required an own goal to seal all three points.
Thurso could have taken the lead in the opening minutes when Conor Cormack pounced on a mistake from Aaron Christie six yards from goal but smashed his shot against the crossbar.
Thurso goalkeeper Asa Sinclair had a heart in mouth moment when he saw his attempted clearence smash off Invergordon striker Ryan Macleod on the edge of the six yard box but the ball rolled wide of the near post.
The first half was a dull affair but Thurso sprung into life in the second when Nigel Mackenzie had two great chances to give them the lead.
He fired his first shot from a tight angle six yards from goal wide and then forced a fine save from Daniel Cormack.
But the deadlock was broken in the 56th minute when Mackenzie's perfectly weighted free kick into the six yard box caused panic in the Invergordon defence as Neil Macdonald nodded the ball into his own net.
Invergordon rarely threatened but substitute Darran Gollar proved to be a danger in the last 20 minutes.
First his pace proved too much for the Thurso defence to cope with on the right wing before cutting into the box and shooting just wide of the far post.
He then saw a shot from 12 yards hit the right hand post and connected with a Jack Mulgrew cross from the right wing where his close range header was comfortably saved by Sinclair as Thurso held on.
Full NCL results here
http://www.northcaleyfa.co.uk/results.php
