Halkirk FC - Reports, Results & Photos - Season 2010-2011

League Division 1 - 21/07/10
Halkirk 3 - 1 Pentland United

Double free kick scorer, Gavin Bremner (right)

Another impressive home win as we claim a vital three points that see us climb back out of the relegation play-off spot.

With United coming into the game having secured another Highland Cup final appearance, it was vital to make a good, positive start to the game to try and get them on the back foot but the total opposite happened and we found ourselves behind inside the opening ten minutes.

A slight defensive mix-up saw the ball break loose just inside the box and a mis-timed challenge by Spike saw them awarded a penalty which was hammered straight down the middle past Pies.

We continued in the sluggish, lacklustre vein and looked as if we were going to fall further behind.

Their front two were looking dangerous every time they broke as we struggled to cope with their pace and movement but Pies produced a few fine saves to keep us in the game.

Gunny also made a quite fantstic defensive block to stop what was a goalbound shot.

We were still struggling to get into the game and didn't pass or keep the ball at all well so we were pleased to get in at the break only one down.

Half Time 0 - 1

After a good half time discussion amongst the lads, we came out like a new team and played with a real vigour and determination.

Right from the first whistle we had a good tempo to our game as we got in about them, squeezed the play higher up the pitch and kept the ball on the ground as we retained possession much better.

A great passing move involving three or four players finished with Pup teeing up Kitten for a chance but he was leaning back slightly and side-footed his effort over the bar.

This gave us some hope and we were soon on level terms.

We were awarded a free kick about 25 yards out, just right of centre and after a debate between Mikey and Gavin, it was the elder Bremner that stepped up and fired the ball into the bottom corner.

We were very much the team in the ascendancy now and it wasn't long before we took the lead.

A counter attack from defending a corner saw Kitten make a break towards goal but his run was halted by a foul which gave us a free kick.

This one was on the other side of the 'D', although probably about the same distance out and seeing as he had scored with his previous effort, Gavin again stepped up to take this one.

Rather than power with the outside of his boot, he curled this effort around the wall and into the same corner of the goals that he found with his first goal to make it a double against his former side.

Our tails were up now and produced our finest display of the season as we passed the ball around the park with eveyone keen to get on the ball. If we lost possession, we worked hellish hard to get it back as soon as possible.

The visitors were becoming frustrated but the only real scares they gave us was from a couple of set-pieces that we failed to clear first time.

The result was put beyond doubt late on when Pup played a through ball over the top of the defence. Kitten ran through in a chase for the ball with M Gray and when the ball dropped out of the sky, it was Kitten that won the race and his touch saw him round the keeper and pass the ball into the unguarded net.

Unfortunately, Kitten's next involvement was to see him sustain a nasty looking injury which looks like ruling him out for the rest of the season.

There was no further chances at either end after this and we saw the game out for a much needed win.

After a very poor first half display, we went on to dramatically improve in the second and produce our finest 45 minutes of the season.

There can be no individual singled out really as everyone in a red and black shirt played brilliantly and put in a shift that they should all be proud of.

The only real criticism to be made is the fact that we can actually play like that because performances of that level have been sadly few and far between this season.

We're not out of the relegation woods yet and a run in the David Allan Shield shouldn't be beyond us, so we need to ensure we maintain the second half level of performance for all the remaining games of the season.

Go Wildcat's!!

report provided by Liam Bremner

photos provided by jamesgunn.co.uk

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