Inverness Athletic didn't deserve to lose against Thurso, says Golabek
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INVERNESS Athletic came within a whisker of taking a point off high flying Thurso in a 3–2 defeat at Inverness Royal Academy in the North Caledonian League.
Athletic thought they had rescued a point when Phil MacDonald converted a penalty in the last minute of a closely fought encounter. But within seconds Thurso restored their lead, also from the penalty spot, to maintain their 100 per cent record in the league.
Athletic’s caretaker manager Jason Golabek said: “The boys put everything into the game – they didn’t deserve to lose.
“But it was a good performance, the work rate was high.
“It felt like a win when we equalised in the 90th minute, but we can take a lot of positives going into Saturday’s match against Bunillidh Thistle.
“We go up there with confidence - it would be nice to get my first win on board since taking over.”
Thurso went ahead after just three minutes when Steve Morris’ strike found the bottom corner of the net from 20 yards.
But Athletic were level inside 10 minutes when MacDonald broke from the half way lie to chip the Thurso keeper. Thurso restored their lead five minutes from the break through David Hale.
It stayed that way until Athletic were awarded a last minute penalty.
Substitute Jordan Morrison was bundled over inside the box and MacDonald fired the resultant spot kick high into the net.
But deep in stoppage time Athletic defender Lee Tarran was adjudged to have handled in the box and Michael Petrie converted the resultant spot kick to secure all three points for the visitors.
Meanwhile, Golspie hammered Bonar Bridge 13-0, while Halkirk United romped to a 6-0 win against Bunillidh Thistle.
In the Jock MacKay Cup final, Orkney claimed the first trophy of the season with a 3-1 win against St Duthus.
A John Skinner own goal and strikes from Liam Delday and Callan Jessiman secured Orkney’s win with Liam Rostock getting a consolation for Saints.
