Vikings should have taken direct approach, says Reid
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Thurso boss Stevie Reid admitted his Vikings should have taken a leaf out of Halkirk United's book to combat the high winds that plagued last weekend's North Caledonian League derby.
Reid's Vikings headed home with a 1-1 draw with Aaron Wilson having given them a first-half lead only for Kyle Henderson to level for the Anglers.
However, conditions were far from ideal with strong gusts not making this fixture easy on the eye.
The Vikings are known as a team who like to pass the ball along the deck but Reid conceded that, given the weather was blowing that game plan away, they should have been more pragmatic.
"Halkirk were more direct than us and maybe we should have done the same because their style appeared to work better with the wind than ours," he said.
"We are a passing team, but that's all well and good when there's not a big gale howling through the park.
"Halkirk adapted better to the conditions and the direct tactics they used worked well for them. We should have maybe done the same.
"The ball was blowing away. All dead-ball situations were becoming farcical as the wind kept moving the ball.
Fair play to both teams for getting a game of football completed
"We overplayed it at times and the weather dictated that a more direct approach was needed for a game like this.
"Fair play to both teams for getting a game of football completed because it wasn't easy for them."
Next up for Thurso is a league fixture against Inverness Athletic at their temporary home ground at Naver.
Reid added: "Inverness Athletic are a good side despite what the table says.
"I saw them in action against Halkirk recently and I have to say I was very impressed with them.
"We'll have Michael Petrie, James Maclean and Innes Mackintosh back for this one but both Scott Bell and Lee Mackay are out injured."
The only other North Caledonian League fixture last weekend saw Inverness Athletic warm up for their trip to Thurso with a 4-2 win at struggling Bonar Bridge.
Goals from Phil MacDonald (2), Dominick Edwards and Jack Maclean put them 4-0 up before Adam Mackay reduced the deficit for bottom-of-the-table Bonar with two late strikes.
St Duthus captured the Football Times Cup at Dudgeon Park in Brora.
Facing Golspie Sutherland, St Duthus emerged as 3-2 victors as Ben Bruce (2) and Liam Rostock were on target. Golspie's goals came via Craig Ross and Adam Sutherland.
Fixtures
Saturday, January 25
North Caledonian League
(kick-offs 1pm unless stated otherwise)
Bonar Bridge v Golspie Sutherland
Orkney v Invergordon (12.45pm)
St Duthus v Halkirk United
Thurso v Inverness Athletic
