Post by Brian Mackay on Sept 19, 2005 18:55:58 GMT
Sutherland's starring role as Bonar are hit for six - from The John O'Groat Journal website - www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk
HALKIRK United on Saturday expunged the memory of the previous week's heavy league defeat at Dornoch by securing a comfortable passage through to the second round of the Port Services Cup.
Man-of-the-match Chris Sutherland grabbed a hat-trick, with Stevie Reid scoring a double on his home debut and Martin Murray getting the sixth.
Halkirk struggled to make the breakthrough against the combative Sutherland side for whom keeper Robbie Taylor was outstanding.
But once they netted two just before the interval, the writing was on the wall for Bonar who were corralled deep in their own half for just about the entire second half.
The game was memorable for the wrong reasons for young Halkirk midfielder Alan Farquhar, who sustained a nasty gash just below an eyebrow in an aerial duel.
The second-minute clash saw Farquhar removed to hospital for three stitches to the wound and the introduction of Reid.
Taylor was to see plenty of action and in five minutes he did well to prevent John Farquhar scoring after the latter ran through on to a pass from Michael Bremner.
United got the perfect chance to open the scoring after 20 minutes when Reid was upended in the penalty box. But Bremner's tame spot-kick was easily gathered by Taylor.
Sutherland and Farquhar were causing havoc down their respective wings but too often team-mates could not latch on to their deliveries. There was no excuse on 36 minutes when Farquhar's cutback saw Reid miss the open goal from all of two yards.
Up until then, Bonar's only threat had been an astonishing attempt by Kenny McNab from the nearside dugout. His looping shot required sure handling from home keeper Shaun Henderson.
United's opener arrived in the 38th minute when Taylor made a double stop from well-struck shots from Bremner and Sutherland but could not prevent Reid netting the second rebound.
Bonar almost produced the perfect response when a counter-attack ended with Andy MacDonald just missing the target.
The next play saw Sutherland start a long-range move in which Graham MacDonald played a key role, with the latter threading the ball through to Sutherland who drove the ball low past Taylor.
After the interval it was one-way traffic with Bremner and Sutherland going close before Bremner was harshly booked for simulation when he appeared to be chopped down by MacDonald.
In 63 minutes Colin Sinclair exchanged passes with Sutherland before being fouled in the penalty box by Ryan Maclean.
Sutherland was entrusted with the penalty, which he duly converted.
Sutherland completed his hat-trick after 69 minutes when Stuart Florence and Murray did the spadework to allow the youngster to slip his marker and fire past Taylor.
Reid got his second and his team's fifth goal six minutes later when he sprang Bonar's would-be offside trap and finished with a crafty chip.
The victory was wrapped up 12 minutes from time when Sutherland's set-up saw Reid's shot being saved but Murray was on hand to drive it into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
United manager Ian MacDonald said afterwards: "I expected Bonar to be stronger than they were. Saying that, I thought we played really well and made good use of our wide players.
"Chris Sutherland had a particularly good game and I was impressed by their keeper."
Halkirk face a tough test tomorrow when they entertain Golspie (kick-off 3pm). Alan Farquhar is a doubt, though Niall Murray will return.
Halkirk United: Henderson, Munro (MacGill 70), Florence, Sinclair, Davidson, A. Farquhar (Reid 2), MacDonald, Sutherland, J. Farquhar (Henstridge 70), Bremner, Murray.
Bonar Bridge: Taylor, Shepherd, Clark, MacLean, Smith, McNab, MacLeod, Burry, Neeson, MacDonald, Allan. Subs: C. MacKay, Matheson, L. Mackay.
Referee: D. Anderson.
Defending champions Alness suffered a fresh setback on Saturday when they lost 3-1 at Golspie.
Dornoch continued their strong start to the campaign with a 6-1 victory at Helmsdale against Bunillidh Thistle.
16/09/2005
HALKIRK United on Saturday expunged the memory of the previous week's heavy league defeat at Dornoch by securing a comfortable passage through to the second round of the Port Services Cup.
Man-of-the-match Chris Sutherland grabbed a hat-trick, with Stevie Reid scoring a double on his home debut and Martin Murray getting the sixth.
Halkirk struggled to make the breakthrough against the combative Sutherland side for whom keeper Robbie Taylor was outstanding.
But once they netted two just before the interval, the writing was on the wall for Bonar who were corralled deep in their own half for just about the entire second half.
The game was memorable for the wrong reasons for young Halkirk midfielder Alan Farquhar, who sustained a nasty gash just below an eyebrow in an aerial duel.
The second-minute clash saw Farquhar removed to hospital for three stitches to the wound and the introduction of Reid.
Taylor was to see plenty of action and in five minutes he did well to prevent John Farquhar scoring after the latter ran through on to a pass from Michael Bremner.
United got the perfect chance to open the scoring after 20 minutes when Reid was upended in the penalty box. But Bremner's tame spot-kick was easily gathered by Taylor.
Sutherland and Farquhar were causing havoc down their respective wings but too often team-mates could not latch on to their deliveries. There was no excuse on 36 minutes when Farquhar's cutback saw Reid miss the open goal from all of two yards.
Up until then, Bonar's only threat had been an astonishing attempt by Kenny McNab from the nearside dugout. His looping shot required sure handling from home keeper Shaun Henderson.
United's opener arrived in the 38th minute when Taylor made a double stop from well-struck shots from Bremner and Sutherland but could not prevent Reid netting the second rebound.
Bonar almost produced the perfect response when a counter-attack ended with Andy MacDonald just missing the target.
The next play saw Sutherland start a long-range move in which Graham MacDonald played a key role, with the latter threading the ball through to Sutherland who drove the ball low past Taylor.
After the interval it was one-way traffic with Bremner and Sutherland going close before Bremner was harshly booked for simulation when he appeared to be chopped down by MacDonald.
In 63 minutes Colin Sinclair exchanged passes with Sutherland before being fouled in the penalty box by Ryan Maclean.
Sutherland was entrusted with the penalty, which he duly converted.
Sutherland completed his hat-trick after 69 minutes when Stuart Florence and Murray did the spadework to allow the youngster to slip his marker and fire past Taylor.
Reid got his second and his team's fifth goal six minutes later when he sprang Bonar's would-be offside trap and finished with a crafty chip.
The victory was wrapped up 12 minutes from time when Sutherland's set-up saw Reid's shot being saved but Murray was on hand to drive it into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
United manager Ian MacDonald said afterwards: "I expected Bonar to be stronger than they were. Saying that, I thought we played really well and made good use of our wide players.
"Chris Sutherland had a particularly good game and I was impressed by their keeper."
Halkirk face a tough test tomorrow when they entertain Golspie (kick-off 3pm). Alan Farquhar is a doubt, though Niall Murray will return.
Halkirk United: Henderson, Munro (MacGill 70), Florence, Sinclair, Davidson, A. Farquhar (Reid 2), MacDonald, Sutherland, J. Farquhar (Henstridge 70), Bremner, Murray.
Bonar Bridge: Taylor, Shepherd, Clark, MacLean, Smith, McNab, MacLeod, Burry, Neeson, MacDonald, Allan. Subs: C. MacKay, Matheson, L. Mackay.
Referee: D. Anderson.
Defending champions Alness suffered a fresh setback on Saturday when they lost 3-1 at Golspie.
Dornoch continued their strong start to the campaign with a 6-1 victory at Helmsdale against Bunillidh Thistle.
16/09/2005