We'll need to sharpen up our shooting, says Thurso manager Michael Bremner ahead of North Caledonian League derby
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Thurso manager Michael Bremner says he fancies his team's chances against Halkirk United in the Caithness derby – but acknowledges that the Vikings will need to show more cutting edge than they produced in last weekend's home defeat to St Duthus.
The Tain side came from behind to win 2-1 at the Dammies after Thurso failed to take advantage of a succession of half-chances that resulted in efforts on goal either being blocked or going wide of the target.
Bremner admitted afterwards that they would have to practise their shooting in training ahead of the Halkirk match which has been switched to Morrison Park.
The Vikings remain second bottom of the North Caledonian League, albeit they have played fewer games than any other team.
“We didn't create enough,” Bremner said. “I thought we played well, and it was good to have Innes Mackintosh and Cameron Montgomery back on the left-hand side – but we didn't create many clear-cut chances.
“I was confident that we were going to win. When I put James Murray on and put two up front I thought he would make a difference for us but it happened the other way round and they scored.
“I don't know if St Duthus had many chances other than their goals – I remember one shot that flashed across goal but I don't think they created much more.
“I was happy all the way up to the final third but we're just not creating enough chances.
“We were all looking forward to it, we were buzzing ahead of the game, but that's the way football goes. It's just disappointing.
“St Duthus are a good team – they've got good players, like James Mackay from Wick in the middle of the park.
“They've got a good squad. They came up and beat Halkirk too.”
Thurso took the lead midway through the first half. James McLean looked to have got the decisive touch from close range, although it was credited as an own goal by Lewis Smith.
The Tain side got themselves level five minutes before half-time when a dinked effort by Paul Gair came off the bar and he nodded in the rebound.
Thurso continued to have most of the territorial advantage but they struggled to find a way through. McLean came closest when he hooked a shot against the bar.
With about 10 minutes to go, a corner from Daniel Christie was headed powerfully into the net by Duncan Davidson to give St Duthus their first league win over Thurso.
Looking ahead to Saturday's match against his former club, Bremner said: “Hopefully we'll get the boys back up for that. We'll have to work on shooting at training this week.
“Halkirk are a good, strong team. We'll definitely create more chances than we did today. If we do that and defend like we did against St Duthus then I fancy our chances.”
Bremner hopes Thurso can take confidence from their Football Times Cup final shoot-out victory over the Anglers in November.
He said: “We've been poor in most of our other matches but the cup final the players raised their game.”
North Caledonian League fixtures for Saturday: Invergordon v Alness United; Inverness Athletic v Golspie; Orkney v Loch Ness; St Duthus v Nairn County "A" Thurso v Halkirk United (Morrison Park, 1pm).
