Halkirk FC - Reports, Results & Photos - Season 2009-2010

Highland Amateur Cup Round 3 (replay) - 27/06/09
Halkirk 5 - 1 Sleat & Strath, Skye

Spike

The Wildcat's progressed to the Quarter Finals of the Highland Amateur Cup after a convincing victory over Sleat & Strath.

Having earlier hosted the Eain Mackintosh final (a fine game in which Swifts beat John O'Groats 4-3) there was a pretty healthy crowd in attendance at Recreation Park as a lot of folk stayed on to watch our game and make the most of the good weather.

Realising the visitors would be feeling a bit heavy legged after a five hour bus journey we were hopeful of making a quick start to the game but this didn't really materialise and the opening exchanges were quite even.

We were playing some decent stuff though and gradually started to get the upper hand and took the lead around the fifteen minute mark.

Good work from Charlie saw him beat his man in the inside right channel and rather than drive the ball across goal, he looked up and picked out Bainer about twelve yards out - who had time to control the ball before unleashing a ferocious shot past the keeper.

We should've gone on to control the game from here but got a bit complacent, let the SAS boys back into the game and they got back on level terms about ten minutes later.

A lack of communication in the box and a failure to track a run, allowed their attacker all the time in the world to control a cross on the edge of the six yard box and he fired his shot past Pies.

We were all at sea for five minutes or so, as we seemed to panic and lost our shape but eventually calmed down and regained the upper hand.

Bainer was proving a real handful for them and was clearly in the mood as he made several good runs down the right.

Spike, unsurprisingly for him, missed a couple of good chances with his head before getting back in front, with a long overdue goal for Stevie C.

He was given the ball about 20 yards out, had time to take a touch and found the bottom corner with a powerful, low, left foot shot.

Stevie C & Brenda

This seemed to deflate the away side, we got a killer third goal and once again, it was Bainer who was instrumental in the attack.

He broke clear of the defence, found himself one-on-one with the keeper and just when everyone thought he was going to shoot, squared the ball to the unmarked Spike, who rolled the ball into the empty net.

It could've been four before the break put Stevie C put his effort just wide of the post, when he found himself with just the keeper to beat.

Half Time 3-1

Unfortunately, we lost Bainer early in the second half with a nasty ankle injury, which looks as if it might keep him out for a while.

Casper came on to replace him and he did well to create a chance for Charlie but he scooped his effort from six yards, over the bar.

We continued to be the dominant side and it was only a matter of time before we increased our lead further.

It finally came just after the hour mark and it was a tremendous goal from Spike to finally put the result beyond doubt.

He beat a couple of defenders down the right before getting to the bye-line and cutting inside. He was bearing in on goal and looked up for options to cut the ball back but then fooled everyone by side-footing the ball past the keeper from the tightest of angles.

Muttley

The more the visitors pushed to get back in the game, the more we threatened on the break and nearly made it five through Adamson but he was denied by a great save from their keeper.

Pies was then called into action when he produced a fine stop to keep out a free kick that looked like finding the bottom corner.

The scoring was completed about ten minutes from time when Rusty, who had just come off the bench, was teed up by Charlie at the edge of the box and he placed his shot into the bottom corner.

That was the end of the goal scoring action but there was still time for Blocksy to show an unbelievable turn of pace down the left hand side, before his run was brought to a halt - possibly, by the keeper, or probably because he was knackered after his lung-bursting 50 yard run!!

A very convincing win and one that sees us progress to the quarter finals of the Highland Amateur Cup for the first time since the year 2000.

The two games were played in good spirit against Sleat & Strath, who were a good bunch of lads and must feel hard done by after being two goals ahead so late into the first game. Still, we showed a great deal of character to come back in Skye, followed by a fine performance back at Recreation Park to comfortably progress into the next round and secure a trip down south to play Avoch.

This is bound to be a difficult game but one we are looking forward to and if we play like we can then will hopefully give what is sure to be a healthy travelling support, something to cheer about.

Go Wildcat's!!

report provided by Liam Bremner

End-of-Document

ARTICLE COMMENT/VIEWS:-
If you would like to pass on your comments or views on this article/section - CLICK HERE to enter details in the YAPUS Forum and choose the suitable section.