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

League Division 1 - 16/07/08
Wick Rovers 1 - 4 Halkirk

Kitten

Another three points in the bag as we continue our impressive run of form, although this performance was the poorest we've produced in recent weeks. We were short of a couple of players from Monday night but Stevie C returned after his illness and his presence in the middle of the park was a major boost.

The home team were shorter than us and I think the fact that they were missing a few first choice players worked against us in the first half as we turned in one of our poorest performances of the whole season.

We started the game with a poor attitude, probably thinking we would win easily due to our recent fine form and the fact they were short.

We were sluggish from the off, didn't play any good football and continually tried to play the hard ball or take on one man too many.

Although Rovers were pretty poor aswell, it was no real surprise when they took the lead midway through the first half when a quick breakaway saw Poop left in a one-on-one, and despite getting a hand to the shot, he was unable to turn it around the post and it nestled in the bottom corner.

We did improve slightly after the goal as we realised we had to win the game but didn't really create too many chances in the first 45.  The closest we came was when Gunny tried his luck with a speculative long-ranger that had the keeper in trouble but came back of the bar.

Half Time 1 - 0

We got a deserved rollicking at half time because the attitude and commitment shown was quite simply poor.

We were on the front foot from the start of the second half and it didn't take long for us to get back all-square.

Bainer did well to get to the bye-line down the left and his cut-back was met by Spike at the front post who flicked the ball goal wards. The keeper stopped his effort but the ball came back out into the danger area and in the ensuing scramble, landed at Muttley's feet 6 yards out and he tapped the ball into the empty net.

This seemed to deflate the home side and we sensed the three points were there for the taking.

We could've scored again when great crosses by Rusty & Bainer flashed across the face of the goal with no takers for a tap-in at the back post. We didn't take the lead until inside the last 20 minutes but when the goal came it was worth waiting for.

Tarpot had only been on the pitch a few minutes when he showed great perseverance to chase down a ball in the box. He got past the keeper but was caught on the way past him and with the ball looking as if it was running out for a goal kick, he threw himself full-length to force the ball over the line with a diving header.

We made it 3-1 shortly after form a corner kick. The keeper mis-judged the flight of the ball and although Luke failed to connect with the ball for a certain goal, the ball fell to that man Tarpot, again and he made no mistake from 6 yards out.

He should've completed his hat-trick shortly afterwards but saw his snap-shot fly just over the bar.

The scoring was completed with five minutes to go when Kitten tried his luck from distance. His shot took a slight deflection that wrong footed the keeper and nestled into the bottom corner.

A good win for the team and one that was eventually well deserved.  It was a very shoddy first half display but much improved in the second as we maintained our fine form in the second half of the season. This sets us up nicely for our final home game of the season against Wick Groats.

Go Wildcat's!!

report provided by Liam Bremner

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