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

Port Services Cup - Semi Final - 18/10/08
Balintore 0 - 1 Halkirk United

Mark Nichol.
(photo by ross-shire.net)

A late Mark Nichol goal on Saturday earned United a spot in the final of the Port Services Cup. It relieved the tension for his side on what had been another intensely frustrating afternoon on their second trip on the bounce to Seaboard Park.

As in the previous 2-1 league defeat, United dominated play and cut out just about all the decent chances. But the longer the deadlock remained, the more Balintore fancied their chances of pulling off another backs-to-the-wall triumph.

United welcomed back Kevin Miller, Lee Elder and Stevie Reid to the starting eleven while there was a first start of the season for Michael Bremner.

Balintore were meanwhile strengthened by the return of seasoned campaigners Darren Pullen and James Skinner.

Playing with a blustery wind blowing down the exposed pitch, United were quickly on the hunt for an early goal.

After Nichol was upended by Graham Davis, Colin Sinclair's quickly taken free-kick caught out keeper Ross Henderson but veered fractionally wide and high of its target.

Sandy Sutherland and Nichol then both went close before Nichol produced United's first effort on goal after 16 minutes. His fizzing 25 yarder after 15 minutes was spilled by Henderson though John Skinner was able to complete the clearance.

On 27 minutes, Colin Davidson's cross induced a downward header from Nichol which the keeper did well to reach.

Henderson was again in action three minutes later, flinging himself to keep out an Elder attempt from Colin Sinclair's set-up.

United continued to manufacture openings with Nichol heading over from Davidson's assist and Bremner blasting over from an inviting position.

Charlie
(photo by ross-shire.net)

Balintore were enjoying some decent spells and Gus MacDonald was making a nuisance of himself up front but they failed to provide anything by way of a serious goal threat.

Despite the visitors turning round to face the elements, the pattern of the game changed little.

Balintore's best opening came within a minute of the resumption when the lively MacDonald shrugged off Miller before unleashing an angled drive which came back off the outside of United keeper Jack Mackay's near post.

Four minutes later, a clever switch by Davidson to Colin Sinclair put Elder in the clear but he blazed over.

Henderson then pulled off two fine full-stretch saves to twice deny Elder and then repeated the feat to hold a stinging long-ranger from Colin Sinclair on 76 minutes.

With patience in the visiting camp wearing thin, the 85th minute winner was greeted with as much relief as delight.

Luke Sawyer
(photo by ross-shire.net)

Sub Chris Sutherland made the running with Nichol peeling off his marker before converting the winger's whipped cross with a six yard shot which beat the keeper and trickled just inside the left uprightt.

While delighted to have made the final, United manager Ian MacDonald admitted it had been a nervy occasion.

He said: "We were on top for most of the game but the longer we went without scoring, there was always the chance that they could nip a goal from a setpiece. "I thought we played better when playing against the wind. In the first half, we gave the ball away too often. "We played much better after the break, especially after we made the changes."

Balintore - Henderson, Davis, Pullen, John Skinner, Stainke, Stewart, James Skinner, Mitchell, Farquhar, MacDonald, MacKain. Subs - MacCallum, S. Skinner, MacFarquhar, Martin and Powell.

Halkirk - Mackay, C. Sinclair, Davidson, A. Sinclair, Miller, Henderson, Sawyer (S. Sutherland 60), Bremner, Nichol, Reid (Ross 64), Elder (C. Sutherland 69).

Ref - Mr J. Johnston.

report provided by Iain Grant

pictures provided by ross-shire.net

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