Halkirk FC - Reports, Results & Photos - Season 2008-2009

Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup - Round 3 - 01/11/08
Halkirk 3 - 3 Letham United AFC, Perth

Kitten
(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

The majority of football enthusiasts in the county could probably be found in Wick watching the Scottish Cup replay between Wick Academy and Edinburgh University. But, anyone who travelled east missed out on a cracker of a tie in Halkirk.

This Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup 3rd round tie between Halkirk FC and Letham United AFC, Perth had every conceivable piece of action available for the on looking crowd to enjoy, all rolled into 90 minutes. A missed penalty, sending off, crunching tackles, excellent goals, controversial decisions and a typically hectic cup finish.

The Perth side started the game at a hundred miles an hour, showed no sign of fatigue from their 4 hour journey to the Capital and went in front after 15 minutes from a bucket full of mistakes in the Halkirk defence.

Halkirk were then thrown a lifeline when young Muttley was sliced in the 18 yard box leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the penalty spot. Spike decided he was brave enough to finish the chance off but managed to send his effort, at least, 'a couple of high rised buildings' over the bar.

Letham continued their pressure with some direct, punishing runs from their speedy right winger (ginger kiddie, man of the match) opening up the Halkirk defence and they will be a bit aggrieved that nothing came from it and went into the break only 1 up.

Halkirk were still nibbling on their 'jaffa cakes and grapes' at the start of the second half - leaving huge gaps for their visitors to penetrate. This they did within a couple of minutes of the restart to go 2 up.

Halkirk FC - (photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

Letham then decided to deploy a more defensive approach, sat back for most of the half and tried to catch out Halkirk on the counter attack, once or twice.

A surging run from ever improving Paul 'Kitten' Mackay produced the come back Halkirk were looking for. After opening up and dodging several of the visiting defenders, he slid his shot neatly past the keeper to start, what was hoped to be a comeback.

Following a harsh sending off for one of the Letham players, they trooped further back into their own half guarding their territory, for most of the match.

But, on one of their rare visits into the home sides half, it was the nippy right winger, once again, who caused turmoil in Halkirk's half which ended with a good finish and their 3rd goal.

Following this, veteran defender, Davie Blackwood stopped Letham's last chance on the goal-line with his 'pancakes' - keeping his side in the game.

Letham United AFC, Perth - (photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

The crowd didn't hold any hope for a comeback but the players had other ideas...!!!

Johnnie 'Twinkle-Vegas' Mackay (not known as Tarpot anymore) and Rusty were brought on for some inspiration and a final burst at the Letham defence with great effect.

Des MacLeod constructed an excellent chance for himself to make it 3-2 but after rounding the keeper and only an empty net to hit, his shot went just wide of the post.

He made up for his miss with ten minutes to go, netting twice from a couple of goal mouth scrambles, when the ball fell to him to secure the draw.

The Letham goalkeeper produced the heroics with only a minute to go. Two excellent saves from a Lawro header and shot from Gavin Bremner that was just touched round the stanchion.

A draw was probably the correct result but it leaves the village side with it all to do in the replay, which is hoped to be played on 8 November.

Go Wildcats.

Photos

Spike steps up to equalise from the penalty spot.....

...but it's rising already....

...and still rising...!!!

Gavin heads back in.

Lawro tries to grab something...

...but spins out to the back.

With minutes to go it's all getting hectic in the Letham box...

Young Letham kiddie clears off the line...

A great chance to equalise

Muttley gets the better of a couple of the yellows...
(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

Kitten gets pulled all over the joint...
(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

End-of-Document