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

League Division 1 - 26/04/10
Wick Groats 6 - 1 Halkirk

Week Two for the Wildcats did not get any easier with a trip to defending champions, Wick Groats.

Injuries, suspensions and a late call off didn't help Sexy's cause and this led to Stevie Blackwood and Dale Sutherland making their competitive debuts from the start.

Brenda, despite having a cast on his hand, was desperate to play but referee Elder was not allowing it and this forced Sexy to further reshuffle his pack.

Pies took his usual place between the sticks and in front of him Dale, Stevie, Mikey and Swandog formed the defence. Gunnie, Rusty, Gav B, Butch, Stevie C in midfield with Bainer ploughing a lone furrow up front. The subs consisted off Kitten, Sas and trialist, Liam Sutherland.

The reigning champions took the game to the Wildcats from the start and put the defence under pressure. Greg Shearer was swinging a few dangerous corners in on top of the defence but Pies and the back four held firm.

Groats were aggrevied when they had an early goal by McNab dissallowed after referee Elder adjuged that Pies had both hands on the ball. It looked like a let off.

After 20 minutes the Wildcats appeared to have weathered the early storm and made inroads into the opposition half.

Stevie C produced the Wildcats first oppurtunity of the night with a 20 yard strike which went a yard the wrong side of the goal with opposing keeper Williamson looking concerned.

Disaster struck though on Groat's next attack with Pies doing well to parry a McNab shot. The ball was heading toward the goal and Dale was unfortunate in turning the ball into his own net while trying to clear.

This rattled the Wildcats and not long after Groats made it two with Kyle Ross taking advantage of hestitancy in the defence.

Pies made a few good saves and the Wildcats tried to get a foothold in the game but just before the break a defence splitting pass put Alan Larnach through and he cooly chipped the advancing Pies in a similiar fashion to Messi's third against Arsenal in the Champions League.

Half Time 3-0

After the break the Wildcats got the ball on the deck and were playing some decent passes through the midfield. Bainer was working very hard up front and was making himself available.

Despite having the majority of the possesion we failed to make it count and on the hour mark Groats tied up the game making it 4 through Larnach.

Sexy then made his first change of the night with Liam Sutherland replacing Rusty.

The Wildcats managed to get a goal back with Bainer feeding Stevie C through and although his inital shot was parried he followed up and stabbed the ball home for his first of the season.

Sexy introduced Sas to the proceedings for a tired Dale but after several good saves from Pies and some good tackles by Stevie Blackwood, Groats added another double to put the game well out of sight.

Swandog entered the refs book for a tackle late on. Sas had the last chance of the game, controlling the ball well and hitting a decent strike which forced Williamson into the save.

All in all a dissapointing night for the Wildcats and one to forget.

Stevie Blackwood, though, belied his age with an assured display against arguably the best front line in Caithness right now.

A home game against Swifts next Wednesday is next up, a game in which the desire to pull on the red and black along with attitudes will have to be spot on if we are to get off the mark this season.

Go Wildcats!

report & photos provided by Niall Manson

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