We proved how good we are, says manager Reid as Thurso end Invergordon title hopes
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Manager Stevie Reid declared he was "absolutely delighted" with Thurso's 3-1 victory over Invergordon on Saturday, saying his players had proved just how good they are after the disappointment of being deducted points.
The Vikings conceded an early goal at the Dammies but hit back through James McLean and Cameron Montgomery either side of a sublime free kick by Innes Mackintosh in an entertaining North Caledonian League clash.
The result ended the Easter Ross team's Division One title hopes as Golspie, who won in Orkney, cannot now be caught.
It was a defiant, positive display by Thurso after they had fallen foul of league rules over an eligibility issue involving Ben Sinclair who played twice after joining on loan from Wick Academy. The Vikings had four points deducted because the signing came after a March 1 deadline.
The punishment gives a distorted look to the league table, with the Vikings dropping to fourth.
In the build-up to Saturday's game, Reid spoke of his frustration that Thurso had drawn rather than won in their previous two outings – away to Orkney and at home to St Duthus. In the event, those dropped points may be considered a blessing in disguise now as their title challenge would have been undermined by the points deduction.
“It is unfortunate," Reid said. "But it would have been a lot worse if we had won our last two games.”
He felt his team had responded in the right way against Invergordon and shown their togetherness
“We were up against one of the best teams in it – a strong, really good side – and I thought we proved how good we are, even with a few bodies short," Reid said.
“We just want them to play with that wee bit of freedom and just go out and enjoy themselves.
“They put a lot of effort into the game. A couple of the boys are really quite tired. They put a big shift in, and they got the win they deserved at the end of the day.
“I have no doubt, as I've said before, that this is one of the best squads I've had for a long, long time.
"I said to them before the game, 'What's happened has happened, but we've still got to do it. Let's go out and perform and show people how good a side you can be and what you are, and we'll bring it on to next season.'
“It has probably pulled them a bit tighter together again. I don't think we've beaten Invergordon for a few years – we've been so close many times. I am absolutely delighted with the players.”
The Vikings had a goalkeeping emergency and lined up with Michael Gray between the posts after the 44-year-old agreed to help out.
The veteran was soon picking the ball out of the net as Invergordon went ahead after five minutes. Shaun Kerr set up Jordan Knight, who fired a low shot into the far corner from the right-hand side of the penalty box.
Thurso levelled three minutes later after Montgomery was fouled wide on the left. Mackintosh floated over an inviting free kick which was headed home from close range by the diving McLean.
Gray showed he had lost none of his agility as he pulled off two impressive saves to deny Kerr.
The Vikings went ahead in the 29th minute after Grant Aitkenhead was bundled over just outside the box following good work by Martin Banks.
Mackintosh stepped up and delivered a perfectly flighted free kick with his left foot, sending the ball curling over the wall and into the far corner.
He almost added another goal just before half-time after a good run down the left but his shot across the face of goal was just wide.
Invergordon pushed for an equaliser in the early part of the second half but Thurso put the game beyond them with 58 minutes gone. A sweeping move up the left saw Banks pick out Roddy Innes, whose neat lay-off was thumped into the net by Montgomery.
Former Wick Academy striker Gary Weir was among the substitutes for Thurso and he came on in the closing stages.
Michael Gray was chosen as man of the match by a group of English fans who had travelled from Chesterfield for the game.
The keeper said: “When Invergordon's goal went in I thought, 'Here we go, this is going to be a long afternoon.' But credit to Thurso – I thought they played some fantastic football.”
Manager Reid was grateful for Gray's contribution, saying: “He had a couple of cracking saves in the first half. He'll be sore for about a couple of weeks, I would imagine."
The defeat for Invergordon meant that Liam Bremner's second-half strike in Orkney was enough to confirm Golspie as champions for the 11th time.
Halkirk United were hit by a deduction of three points for fielding an ineligible player, understood to be teenager Joe Anderson, in one match.
The adjusted league table shows the Anglers dropping to bottom spot below Orkney, even though Halkirk won three of their 10 fixtures and the islanders go into their last game still without a victory all season.
Manager Ewan McElroy said: "It’s a little unfortunate but there is not a lot we can do, other than learn from it and move on.
"After a five-month interruption to the league season the deduction is possibly a bit harsh for both ourselves and Thurso. We will just chalk it down as a minor blip and a lesson learned.
"Overall, we have been really pleased with the majority of performances this season. We are progressing well and it was a real positive being able to give the younger boys a taste of North Caley football in the final few games."
