Thurso want to 'kick on' after ending long wait for a win
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There was a recurring theme to the messages Scott Davidson received after Thurso's 1-0 victory over Inverness Athletic – that it was "long overdue".
It was the Vikings' first win in the North Caledonian League since they defeated Alness United 4-2 in their opening fixture in August.
Davidson's side remain at the foot of the table but only on goal difference now from Bonar Bridge, with Thurso having two games in hand.
Lewis Mackillop's first goal for the club secured the three points against Athletic at the Dammies – a result that has boosted confidence ahead of Saturday's tough assignment away to league leaders Invergordon.
The decisive moment last weekend came with 10 minutes to go when a cross was flicked on by Bobby Gunn and Mackillop fired it high into the net from the edge of the six-yard box.
Davidson, who took over as manager in September, said: “We've been there or thereabouts for what feels like a lot of games. In my eyes there have been a lot of games where we should have got more points.
“It a was a hard-fought game. To be fair, either team could have won it – we both had chances.
“Asa Sinclair was in goal for us and he had a number of good saves to keep us in it. It's our first clean sheet of the season, and little things like that add up.
“I said to them after the game, it just shows that if we keep things tight then we've always got a chance.
“That was Lewis Mackillop's first goal for Thurso. He scored a lot during the summer for Lybster. Obviously the North Caley is a bit of a step up from the second division of the county league.
“I'm delighted for him. Hopefully that can kick him on a wee bit now.”
Last month, after Thurso lost 4-0 to Invergordon at Naver, Davidson said he expected the Easter Ross outfit to go on and win the title – and he hasn't changed that opinion.
“It'll be a tough game. We're under no illusions," he said. "We'll have to be on our best game to try and cause them a few issues.
“We'll go down there and try to make things difficult for them, and try to create some chances of our own.
“It's almost like a relief for the boys now, as we'd been so close to a win for so long and now that's it.
“Hopefully we can kick on and get a few more points this season."
Davidson added: "I had quite a few messages on Saturday night from managers within the league saying 'well done, it's long overdue'.
"We've got a great squad of young boys but it just has not gone our way this season. They will live and learn for next year. That's all we can do.
"We've got to play Bonar Bridge twice, home and away [in March], so potentially we're looking at six points there."
Invergordon won 3-0 in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with Loch Ness. Niall Docherty, Ken Morrison and Ryan McFee were the scorers.
Invergordon are six points clear, although Loch Ness have a game in hand.
Golspie drew 1-1 at home to Fort William. Robbie Murray's first-half opener for the Sutherland club was cancelled out by Lewis Moran in the second period.
Chris Simpson, Wayne Kirkness and Glen Scott scored for Orkney in their 3-2 victory over St Duthus in Tain. Finn As-Chainey and Jack Kerr were on target for the home side.
North Caledonian League results – Saturday: Golspie Sutherland 1, Fort William 1; Loch Ness 0, Invergordon 3; St Duthus 2, Orkney 3; Thurso 1, Inverness Athletic 0. Wednesday – Alness United 1, Halkirk United 3.
North Caledonian League fixtures for Saturday, February 24: Fort William v Inverness Athletic; Golspie Sutherland v Clachnacuddin "A"; Halkirk United v Bonar Bridge (1pm); Invergordon v Thurso (1pm); Loch Ness v Orkney.
