HFC Leagues, Results & Reports - Season 2002

Conclusion

At the beginning of the season, the young new faces and team were written off, probably including myself. But, it just shows when a team starts to bond and starts playing reasonably, things can change for the better. This happened, and they not only managed to end up in a respectable position, not far from second position, but they have secured a piece of silverware for their troubles.

A couple of young lads - namely, Steven Bremner and Russell Bain, have come into the team, and not only shown themselves to perform suitably for their first season but have acted in a fashion that outfits their age and poses a good view for future seasons.

Congratulations to all the team and WHEN IS THE NIGHT OUT?????

Finally, thanks to Duck and anyone else who have provided me with some of the details, for this seasons reports.

Steven Cup Final - 16/08/02
Halkirk 1 - 0 FSC

Halkirk travelled to Lybster to participate in the Steven Cup Final, with two things on their minds:-

1. we are missing three of our key players - namely, Liam 'Duck' Bremner, Paul 'I should be so' Lockhart and the new young talent Steven Campbell, and;
2. they (FSC) have ended up two places above us in the league.

But, with the adrenalin and primed up aggression pumping, those worries were quashed within the first 25 minutes, when young Lee Elder managed to add to his tally for the season and leave Halkirk in a strong position, to dominate the rest of the match.

FSC began to capitalize in the final 15 minutes, when 'e BIG'H' lads tired slightly - but nothing was going to thwart, probably, the Halkirk bhoys finest performance of the season and, the crowd began chanting, like the commentator when Norway beat England in 198*, "..... Alan Farquhar, Ken Wood, Pattie Miller, Noel Donaldson....... your boys got a hell of a beating.....". OK, I know they have nothing much to do with FSC but they're from Wick.

An excellent end to the season for the Halkirk bhoys, and a good sporting touch by FSC, inviting Halkirk for soup and sandwiches, before/after the match.

Photos

Josimar-|-Lee-|-Spike-|-Graham-|-Daniel-|-Tarpot-|-Poop-|-Sexy-|-Crispy-|-Blocks- Jets-|-Russell-|-?-|-Martin-|-Hairdo-|-McIlroy-|-Polson- Missing from the team due to injuries and holiday trips, are:- -Duck-|-Lockie-|-Steven Campbell-

pictures by Neillie Mackay - Precision Blinds

Josimar, Halkirk manager, sizing things up from the flanks.....

pictures by Neillie Mackay - Precision Blinds

Sexy-|-Duck-|-Poop-|-Tarpot-|-Daniel-|-Steam-|-Graham-|-Blocks-|-Spike-|-Lock & Lockie-|-Josimar- Charlie-|-McIlroy-|-Crispy-|-?-|-Martin-|-Hairdo-|-Russell-|-Polson-

picture from the Caithness Courier

Darren in a confrontation with Angus Mackay of FSC. Blackjock and Poop look on waiting for any change of events.....

picture from the Caithness Courier

CAFA Division 2 - 12/08/02
Halkirk 1 - 5 Castletown

The first division outfit proved just the better side in the last third of this match and managed to secure a win.
Halkirk held their own throughout the match but a change of players by 'eBIG'H' manager 'Josimar', possibly to save his strikers for the tough final tussle against FSC - on Friday night, opened the floodgates for Castletown to win the match.

CAFA Division 2 - 05/08/02
Thrumster 2 - 4 Halkirk

Steamjets was the hero and villain, of this game.
Two quick-fire goals in the first half, by the man above, gave 'eBIG'H' a good lead but with only minutes before the end of the first half, a NEAT own-goal, by 'Jets', gave Thrumster a draw going into the second half and Steam a hat-trick.

Halkirk managed to win the tie with a goal, from another Watten lad, 'Johnnie Tarpot' - the club's top league goalscorer and, Charlie netted to win the match convincingly 4-2.

Unfortunately, one of the Thrumster players sustained a broken wrist, in this game, and had to be rushed to Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.

Steven Cup Semi-Final - 29/07/02
Lybster 1 - 2 Halkirk

Lybster is always a tough place to get a result. If it is isn't the shennanigans on the field, there is always the strong and loyal crowd presence to defend against.
With this being a semi-final match there was always going to be a bit of tension and nervousness between the sides, battling to secure the win.
With the wind blowing, like Big Neillie Mackay on a squash court, both sides had trouble with passing, but Halkirk went into the interval one goal up from a Tarpot strike.
Graham 'Spike' Swanson scored early on the in the second half leaving Lybster always chasing the game. With two minutes left they did pull one back but the Halkirk defence stood firm, allowing them the chance to lift the Steven Cup against FSC, in 2 weeks.

CAFA Division 2 - 24/07/02
Thurso Thistle 4 - 3 Halkirk

A goal from Lee 'Charlie' Elder, in 2 minutes, set Halkirk up for a trouncing of the Thurso side. With chance after chance failing to hit the 'onion-bag', it was only one more strike from Russell Bain that took the bhoys into the second half with a slim lead.
Thistle showed more battle, in the second half, and managed to take the points with 3 strikes from their top goal scorer.
Russell Bain scored a second ten minutes from time but it was the case of too little too late.

Steven Cup 2nd Round - 17/07/02
Halkirk 1 - 0 Workshops

Workshops, maybe, took the trip to the Halkirk 'Field of Dreams', thinking that this was going to be a walk in the park, after winning their two previous encounters. Not a chance.........
The Division 2 winners might have had a wee bit more pressure at points throughout the encounter, but there was no stopping the young and in-experienced Halkirk side.
After going one goal up in the first half, it was batten down the hatches and hit them on the break. This tactic worked a treat and after Workshops ran out of ideas, and Halkirk missed a couple of excellent chances, it was bring on Lybster in the semi-finals.

CAFA Division 2 - 15/07/02
Keiss 0 - 3 Halkirk

It is unusual to come out of Keiss with a goals for and a no goals against situation because of their slope. But the lads, still chasing for the final spot to reach the promotion status, dug deep and managed to pull off an excellent result.
Not sure on the goal scorers.

CAFA Division 2 - 10/07/02
Mid County 2 - 7 Halkirk

GOALS....GOALS....GOALS....
Who would have believed it...??? 13 goals in two games, brilliant.
If there was any doubt about of what the score might have been in the first game, which was abandoned because of a no show by 'MC', 'eBIG'H' bhoys showed that they more than deserved the points.
Goals came from Tarpot, Duck, Hairdo and Josimar - but, young striker Russell Bain, in his first senior season, scored the cream of the strikes with an excellent solo effort that left the MC defence in turmoil.

CAFA Division 2 - 05/07/02
Halkirk 6 - 0 Top Joes

I wasn't available for this match but I think the score speaks for itself.

CAFA Division 2 - 03/07/02
Halkirk 0 - 3 Workshops

Halkirk put in a good, strong performance in the first half of the contest but their efforts came to no avail, with the Division 2 leaders managing to take their chances, and the 3 points,A to go one step closer to securing the title.

CAFA Division 2 - 26/06/02
Ashes 3 - 0 Halkirk

A disappointing result for 'eBIG'H', who were on a good run of results, even though they were defeated by Wick Groats (first division team) in their last game.

Although, they had a few chances, going with the wind in the first half and, could easily have gone a few goals ahead, this proved to be one of these games where they were never going to score.

Ashes secured the 3 points with 2 quick fire goals, giving the village side no chance to come back in the few minutes left.

Eoin MacIntosh Cup - Round 2 - 17/06/02
Halkirk 0 - 1 Wick Groats

Anyone with a bit of knowledge of the players in this match, would've thought they were watching an Under 21 match, maybe even Under 18. Which is good for the future of football in the county but it lacked a little bit of experience to calm things down at times, which resulted in 'wild-like' tackles that Steven Gunn would have been proud of.

Overall, a goalkeeping mistake gave Groats the chance to move onto the next round of this tournament.

A mention should be given to young 'Spike' - who had a tireless performance of continuing runs up the right flank of the park, providing teenager Russell Bain and quality tackling thwarted the Groats attacks.

CAFA Division 2 - 13/06/02
Halkirk 2 - 1 FSC

A lack lustre performance and winning by 2 goals to one, to a team they drew with earlier in the season, can only mean good things for the village side.
An early goal by the young battler of the Halkirk side, Steven Campbell - gave the lads a well deserved lead. FSC decided to try and ruin the spoils for Halkirk by scoring early in the second half, but a late goal by new signing sensation from Thrumster, Johnnie 'Tar-pot' - gave Halkirk the pints in this match.

CAFA Division 2 - 05/06/02
Halkirk 2 - 2 Lybster

A dubious offside decision, at the end of the first half, gave Lybster an undeserved lead.
The second half proved completely different with 'eBigH bhoys proving there muster and providing a bucket load of chances that should have secured them the 3 points.
An excellent headed goal from Robbie Kay, from a Davie Blackjock free kick, began the tidlewave of pressure and, new signing 'Tar-pot' battled well to place the village side infront, for the first time in the match.

Just coming back from injury proved no hurdle for Kylie, who battled well and managed to strike a 'Gerrard-esque', 35 yard shot that cannoned off the upright leaving the Lybster keeper catching flies. Also, 'Tar-pot' had an excellent chance to make the score 3-1, but the keeper saved well this time, denying the youngster another notch in his belt.

With only a minute left, a freak deflection managed to find it's way into the back of the net, for Lybster to return over the Causewaymire, with a point.

CAFA Division 2 - 30/05/02
Halkirk 4 - 3 Thurso Thistle

Halkirk were keen to amend their loss in the David Allan Shield to Thurso Thistle and turn the table round. But, going into the second half of this match 3 goals to 1 down, it was looking like the Thurso team would return to the 'BIG City' with all 3 points.

After a stern talk-down by the Halkirk manager, 'Josimar', during the oranges, there was a 'William Wallace' attitude applied to the rest of the match.
With two ex-Wimbledon styleeeee goals (hump up the park from the keeper for the striker to score) from Blackwood and new International signing, on a Bosman, from Watten - the game was left wide open for one team to secure the vital win.
Then it happened..... Something a lot of local lads thought they would never see, in the future of this particular players' lifetime in Caithness football.
After a long run down the right flank, by pancakes, he swung a lovely cross into the middle of the penalty box, which was met by the Ginger crew-cut skull of 'Steamjets, Koom, Vvvvvv' - yes, Kevin Sirland - to glance a lovely header into the top corner of the Thistle net.
On further conversation after the match, he commented, "I wisna sure should I fire it into the top corner or jist do a little glancing header". The truth is, he just closed his eyes and hoped for the best, which obviously worked to the teams advantage.
This gave 'eBig'H' boys an important, battling 3 points that should move them up the CAFA Division 2 league.

CAFA Division 2 - 22/05/02
Halkirk 0 - 0 Keiss

Halkirk played a good passing game but both teams never looked like scoring - leaving both teams happy with a draw.

David Allan Shield - Round 2 - 20/05/02
Thurso Thistle 3 - 2 Halkirk

After producing some excellent results in the previous games, Halkirk seem to have relaxed a little bit and are maybe a little over confident and laid back in their approach, which is costing them dearly in their games, at the moment.

An own goal and a peach of a free kick from 40 yards by Crispy, were the only rewards the village team had to produce in this game.
The debutant team of Thurso Thistle, managed to hold their ranks and slot away 3 goals to kill off Halkirk's chances of moving on to the next round.

CAFA Division 2 - 13/05/02
Workshops 2 - 1 Halkirk

Halkirk went into this game against the favourites to win the league with a couple of key players missing. But, the youngsters, and a couple of older players, rallied together to produce a close game that Halkirk could easily have sneaked a draw. It wasn't to be, and the Workshops held on to hold their lead at the top of the CAFA Divison 2.

Friendly - 10/05/02
Halkirk 6 - 3 Melvich

This is the first time I have been able to see the new formation of the Halkirk team, since the very first game of the season. At that time, I had my doubts if things were going to work out but I was gladly surprised with the improvement, commitment and battling of the Halkirk lads, versus an energetic and youthful Melvich team.

Goals from Russell Craigie, Steven Campbell, Steam jets and Russell Bain helped to secure the win for Halkirk but the goal of the match came from unlikely source.
If you remember the England v Argentina - 1986 World Cup match, where Maradonna handled the ball and scored to win the match.... Well, not that one - the first goal, where he skipped through 8 players from the half-way line to finish off brilliantly.
Well, Liam, the Lilt Man (the man who usually misses on the goal line) - ran from his defensive area with the ball at his feet, 'ducking and diving' past opponent after opponent, with a couple of sharp inter-plays and finally smashing the ball calmly into the Melvich onion bag. Luckily, it was near the end of the match and he didn't have to do much more running.

In all, it was an excellent performance by the bhoys - namely, all the young lads, who are starting to flourish, battle and show how good they are - which is encouraging for the future.

CAFA Division 2 - 06/05/02
Halkirk A - A Mid County - No show

Mid County turned up for this match with not enough players - so, the outcome of what happens with the points is still to be resolved.
Under the rules, I think, it stipulates that Halkirk receive the 3 points and Mid County receive a fine of £30.

CAFA Division 2 - 03/05/02
Top Joes 1 - 5 Halkirk

Sorry, didn't hear much about this match but the goals are starting to come on strong.
A good performance by the local team gave them a well deserved win, which was more than overdue.
Goals from Pancakes, Steven Campbell and Paul Lockhart helped to secure the 3 points.
Paul 'I should be so' Lockhart sustained an injury to his 'toast-rack' which could leave him on the sidelines for a few weeks. All the best and get fit soon 'Kylie'.

CAFA Division 2 - 30/04/02
Halkirk 3 - 2 Ashes

After going out in the first round of the HA Cup, Halkirk had a lot of things to prove to their new manager set-up. This they appeared to do, with their best performance of the season, so far.

A long range effort by the old-head of the team, 'Crispy' set the local lads off to a good start and, two strikes from young dynamo Lee Elder, secured the 3 points for Halkirk. Ashes scored late on at both ends of each half - but this was not enough to pinch a point from 'eBIG'H' lads.

The 'Lilt Man' has informed me that the man-of-the-match was young Campbell - who patrolled, secured and passed the ball around in the middle of the park like a man with years of experience under his feet.

The beginning of things to come.........

Highland Amateur Cup - 1st Round - 27/04/02
Swifts 3 - 1 Halkirk

This was always going to be a tough task for the Halkirk side to try and breakdown the Division 1 outfit. But, with long spells of possession and a handful of chances, for the village side, this tie could have gone either way.

In the end, it was the 'toonies' who had the last laugh and managed to secure a 3-1 win, to move onto the second round of the cup.

CAFA Division 2 - 22/04/02
Thrumster 3 - 1 Halkirk

A wonder strike by 'steamjets' looked like securing Halkirk a second draw of this seasons county league but Thrumster had other ideas and pushed for the winner. This they did and their Big striker notched up two goals to leave 'eBIG'H' trailing at the bottom of the table.

CAFA Division 2 - 19/04/02
FSC 1 - 1 Halkirk

Going one up for the first time this season may have given Halkirk the jitters because late on in the game a rare mistake from the keeper, 'Poop' - gifted FSC a draw they maybe didn't deserve.

CAFA Division 2 - 16/04/02
Lybster 2 - 1 Halkirk

Sorry, wasn't at this game. My source can reveal that Halkirk had the possibility of scoring a few more goals from set pieces, with some lovely swung in crosses from Paul Lockhart but were unable to capitalise on the situation.

Halkirk managed to score a late goal but with Lybster two up, it was always going to be difficult to pull back considering their present goal glut.

Rural League - 11/04/02
Halkirk 0 - 6 Pentland United

A couple of goals are what the Halkirk team seem to be lacking, at the moment - but when they start coming the floodgates will be opened. So, look out the team they are going to be playing next, "It could be you.....".

Pentland United never looked under any pressure until the last 30 minutes of this match, when Halkirk started to attack and press for their first goal in three games. A couple of half chances from David Blackwood could have proved beneficial for any future games but it wasn't to be and 'eBIG'H' lads were left like the Norway Eurovision song contest singers, with 'NIL points'.

Keep sticking in there lads, it's gonna happen soon.

Rural League - 09/04/02
Halkirk 0 - 4 John 'O' Groats

The Halkirk boys battled away and seemed to have more of the play in the second half of this battle but with two quick fire goals from the 'joggers', just after returning from their oranges, there was only going to be one winner in this match.

Newly engaged striker come defender, 'Koom-Koom' had an excellent strike which shaved the cross-bar and, Paul 'I should be so' Locky managed to move away from the centre circle to unleash a powerful drive which was deflected and just miss the groats' keeper's upright.
These were a couple of the highlights for Halkirk, in a game that was spoilt by the rutted surface of the Halkirk pitch but hopefully this will be rectified for the start of the up-and-coming season.

Rural League - 04/04/02
Halkirk 0 - 4 Castletown

I wasn't at this game but from my sources Halkirk's heads went down after the first couple of goals and there was no turning back.
All I can say is, it is too early in the season for miracles.

Sponsored Run for Club Funds - 28/06/02

The local football team took to the roads, last weekend, to raise funds for the up-and-coming season. They travelled from Halkirk -> Watten -> Mybster -> Westerdale -> Halkirk, on a dour, dreich day that I'm sure they much would have preferred staying at home. The lads battled away and completed the course in good time and would like to thank JGC Welding for providing the transport to complete the task.

Photos

L to R:- Steven, Blocks, Eminem (Darren), Lockie, Sexy, McIlroy, Spike, Daniel, Josimar- Duck, on the run when picture is taken

Duck was out on his stint of the sponsored run when I took the picture of all the team. So, just so he didn't feel left out - here u r.. looking delighted with yourself.....

End-of-Document