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

League Division 1 - 07/05/08
Halkirk 1 - 2 Pentland United

Blocks

Another defeat for the Wildcat's but it was once again another spirited home performance against a side that will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

With injury and work commitments ruling out Spike, Stevie C and Luke it was a squad slightly short on numbers but the boys that were available produced a good display and matched the Stabs for most of the game.

We did make a sluggish start, struggled to keep possession in the first ten minutes and when they scored a breakaway goal early doors we feared it was going to be a long night. Their goal seemed to fire us up though, we started to put them under pressure all over the pitch, started winning the 50-50 challenges, second balls and gradually began to work their keeper.

Bainer and Charlie were causing them the most bother with their direct running approach.  Charlie, in particular, seemed well up for it with most of the tricks & flicks he tried coming off as he produced several dangerous runs and crosses down our left hand side. We got back on level terms just before the half hour mark.  Perseverance from Blocksy saw him with an opening on the edge of the box and he expertly lobbed Michael Gray to tie things up. We remained on top for the rest of the first period and were unlucky not to take the lead when Gavin hit the bar with an effort.

Half Time 1 - 1

All the hard work of the first half was undone almost immediately at the start of the second half, as we started just as poorly as we did the first.

Barely getting out of our half in the first five minutes and when a run from midfield wasn't tracked Poop conceded a spot kick when he came out to confront the attacker.  He almost redeemed himself as he got a strong hand to the penalty but was unable to keep it out.

The visitors went onto enjoy the majority of possession for the remainder of the game and possibly could've grabbed another penalty but there claims were waved away.

Poop also had a couple of good saves to keep the deficit at one goal and keep us in the game. This almost proved vital as a great chance fell to Crispy about two minutes from time but he was denied by a fantastic save from Gray.

The final action of the game saw Poop match that effort with a fine stop to deny them getting a third.

A spirited, battling display from the lads and a performance from which we can take quite a few positives from. We gave the Stabs a run for their money and may even have sneaked a point late on. We need to maintain this level of commitment and work-rate in the game ahead and if we can start to convert some of the chances that we're created then we should be ok.

Go Wildcat's!!

report provided by Liam Bremner

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