Post by Brian Mackay on Sept 25, 2005 20:53:30 GMT
Halkirk look set to challenge for silverware - from The John O'Groat Journal website
HALKIRK United are shaping into a decent outfit well capable of finally emerging from the shadow of neighbours Thurso and making a serious bid for North Caledonian honours.
Saturday's handsome win was achieved on the back of a competent display lit up by some sparkling moments.
Golspie may have been under-strength but that should not detract from United's success.
It was especially sweet given their three narrow losses to the Sutherland outfit in the final month of last season. The result also adds zest to tomorrow's match in Golspie when the sides go head-to-head in the second round of the Port Services Cup.
On Saturday, the visitors drew level early on but two strikes in the 15 minutes before the break put Ian MacDonald's men in control and they went on to seal victory with a memorable fourth goal.
Halkirk went ahead in six minutes when Chris Sutherland outstripped Richie MacRae as he ran clear into the penalty area.
The defender was fortunate to receive only a caution for the despairing lunge which sent Sutherland sprawling.
The youngster took the penalty himself and was fortunate keeper Alan Bokas was not able to get a stronger hand to the ball.
Golspie hit back three minutes later following a free kick which was not properly dealt with by the defence. Walter Mackay's follow-up cross was swept home by Martyn Cooper.
Halkirk, playing with the strong wind on their backs, were soon back on the offensive and creating chances. A sortie by defender Stuart Florence after 20 minutes ended with him having a pop at goal, though his effort lacked the strength to seriously trouble Bokas. Michael Bremner then had a snap-shot which the keeper turned over the bar.
The Halkirk defence was caught out on 25 minutes when Cooper sprung the offside trap and homed in on keeper Shaun Henderson. Retreating defender Colin Sinclair did well to scamper back and pressure Cooper, whose scuffed shot was comfortably saved.
That was a wake-up call for the home side who duly restored their lead on the half-hour mark.
Sutherland was again floored by Richie MacRae, with the resultant free kick producing a shot from Stevie Reid which Bokas turned past for a corner. That fell to Sinclair, loitering just beyond the 18-yard line, and his powerful shot picked up a deflection as it looped into the net.
Golspie were undone again seven minutes later when Sinclair sent Sutherland on another raid down the right. He zigzagged between two defenders and found Bremner, who made no mistake.
Bokas made two outstanding saves in the closing minutes of the half to keep out a long-distance humdinger from Bremner and prevail in a one-on-one with Reid.
Golspie's direct approach after the interval caused problems and they did enough to suggest they could claw their way back into the game. There was an early scare for United when Cooper's effort from a corner struck Sutherland's midriff as he guarded the nearside post.
After 55 minutes, Mackay shot wide when presented with a clear view of goal.
Halkirk's clinching goal seven minutes later was cleverly created by Sinclair and expertly finished by Bremner.
The defender's quickly-taken free kick had Bremner darting across his marker into the penalty box from where he delivered a perfect finish past a startled Bokas into the far side of the goal.
Golspie went close to pulling one back when Roddie Smith headed over and Cooper's shot struck the crossbar, but by then the contest as finished.
It proved a very satisfying win for United manager Ian MacDonald.
"It was nice to get one over them, " he said. "I thought we played really well and it sets things up nicely for Saturday."
The Murray brothers - Martin and Niall - are both due to return, though Sutherland is doubtful with a leg knock.
Halkirk United: Henderson, Munro, Florence, Sinclair (MacGill 62), Davidson, Sutherland, A. Farquhar, MacDonald, Bremner, Reid, (Manson 78), J. Farquhar.
Sub not used: Shearer.
Golspie: Bokas, G. MacRae, R. MacRae, Smith, Bonner, Lockhart, Whyte, Sinclair, Morrison, Cooper, W. Mackay. Subs: C.
Mackay and Urquhart.
Referee: W. Sinclair.
23/09/2005
HALKIRK United are shaping into a decent outfit well capable of finally emerging from the shadow of neighbours Thurso and making a serious bid for North Caledonian honours.
Saturday's handsome win was achieved on the back of a competent display lit up by some sparkling moments.
Golspie may have been under-strength but that should not detract from United's success.
It was especially sweet given their three narrow losses to the Sutherland outfit in the final month of last season. The result also adds zest to tomorrow's match in Golspie when the sides go head-to-head in the second round of the Port Services Cup.
On Saturday, the visitors drew level early on but two strikes in the 15 minutes before the break put Ian MacDonald's men in control and they went on to seal victory with a memorable fourth goal.
Halkirk went ahead in six minutes when Chris Sutherland outstripped Richie MacRae as he ran clear into the penalty area.
The defender was fortunate to receive only a caution for the despairing lunge which sent Sutherland sprawling.
The youngster took the penalty himself and was fortunate keeper Alan Bokas was not able to get a stronger hand to the ball.
Golspie hit back three minutes later following a free kick which was not properly dealt with by the defence. Walter Mackay's follow-up cross was swept home by Martyn Cooper.
Halkirk, playing with the strong wind on their backs, were soon back on the offensive and creating chances. A sortie by defender Stuart Florence after 20 minutes ended with him having a pop at goal, though his effort lacked the strength to seriously trouble Bokas. Michael Bremner then had a snap-shot which the keeper turned over the bar.
The Halkirk defence was caught out on 25 minutes when Cooper sprung the offside trap and homed in on keeper Shaun Henderson. Retreating defender Colin Sinclair did well to scamper back and pressure Cooper, whose scuffed shot was comfortably saved.
That was a wake-up call for the home side who duly restored their lead on the half-hour mark.
Sutherland was again floored by Richie MacRae, with the resultant free kick producing a shot from Stevie Reid which Bokas turned past for a corner. That fell to Sinclair, loitering just beyond the 18-yard line, and his powerful shot picked up a deflection as it looped into the net.
Golspie were undone again seven minutes later when Sinclair sent Sutherland on another raid down the right. He zigzagged between two defenders and found Bremner, who made no mistake.
Bokas made two outstanding saves in the closing minutes of the half to keep out a long-distance humdinger from Bremner and prevail in a one-on-one with Reid.
Golspie's direct approach after the interval caused problems and they did enough to suggest they could claw their way back into the game. There was an early scare for United when Cooper's effort from a corner struck Sutherland's midriff as he guarded the nearside post.
After 55 minutes, Mackay shot wide when presented with a clear view of goal.
Halkirk's clinching goal seven minutes later was cleverly created by Sinclair and expertly finished by Bremner.
The defender's quickly-taken free kick had Bremner darting across his marker into the penalty box from where he delivered a perfect finish past a startled Bokas into the far side of the goal.
Golspie went close to pulling one back when Roddie Smith headed over and Cooper's shot struck the crossbar, but by then the contest as finished.
It proved a very satisfying win for United manager Ian MacDonald.
"It was nice to get one over them, " he said. "I thought we played really well and it sets things up nicely for Saturday."
The Murray brothers - Martin and Niall - are both due to return, though Sutherland is doubtful with a leg knock.
Halkirk United: Henderson, Munro, Florence, Sinclair (MacGill 62), Davidson, Sutherland, A. Farquhar, MacDonald, Bremner, Reid, (Manson 78), J. Farquhar.
Sub not used: Shearer.
Golspie: Bokas, G. MacRae, R. MacRae, Smith, Bonner, Lockhart, Whyte, Sinclair, Morrison, Cooper, W. Mackay. Subs: C.
Mackay and Urquhart.
Referee: W. Sinclair.
23/09/2005