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

League - 28/02/09
Halkirk United 8 - 1 Balintore

(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

A lack of punch in front of goal ensured United's fancy football failed to reap the benefits it perhaps deserved in the past couple of seasons.

Manager Ian MacDonald seems to have solved the lack of firepower in this campaign in which they are making a serious tilt at the silverware.

Saturday's biggest ever win over Balintore boosts the Anglers' strike-rate to just under four a game.

What will have particularly impressed the manager is that the victory was achieved in the absence through injury of the league's top marksman Mark Nichol.

The eight goals were also scored against a side renowned as having one of the meanest defences in the league.

Before their trip to Recreation Park, Balintore had leaked just 12 goals in 12 league outings, a record only bettered by leaders Golspie Sutherland.

The Easter Ross men did however travel amid rumours of an unhappy camp.

They made a good fist of scotching the speculation when they dramatically went ahead with the first attack of the game.

Gallant defending and a few let-offs allowed them to retain the lead up until the interval despite having veteran Darren Pullen red-carded.

Two quick goals after the break by Sandy Sutherland irrevocably turned the tide and United went on to coast to a runaway win.

(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

The goal in the first minute stemmed from a corner which was somehow toe-poked in by Gus MacDonald from an acute angle a couple of yards wide of the far post.

After absorbing the shock, United quickly manufactured a couple of chances at the other end.

Alan Farquhar shot over while Alan Sinclair - making a welcome return after a month out - forced visiting keeper Ross Henderson into his first save of the day.

MacDonald almost caught out Jack Mackay with a surprise long-range strike on 16 minutes which the Anglers keeper was relieved to see scrape over the crossbar.

Farquhar went close to levelling before Balintore were left short-handed following an off-the-ball spat between Colin Sinclair and Pullen on 27 minutes. The Halkirk man was cautioned while the former Golspie veteran was shown red.

That prompted an even more cautious approach from Balintore who steeled themselves for a prolonged onslaught.

Kyle Ross was unable to exploit several openings as the visitors made it through to half-time with their lead intact.

The game was turned on its head by Sandy Sutherland's quickfire double after the interval.

On 48 minutes, he met Gavin Henderson's measured pass with a neat flick over Ross Henderson.

Four minutes later, Stuart Florence rounded Balintore defender John Skinner to allow Sandy Sutherland to help himself to his second.

(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

It was all hands to the deck for Balintore as Graham MacDonald shot narrowly over before the Anglers grabbed a third on 61 minutes.

After Ross Henderson had tipped a Ross effort behind, Colin Sinclair's deep corner resulted in Colin Davidson's chip clearing the keeper and nestling in the far corner of the net.

Six minutes later, Farquhar set up Sandy Sutherland for his hat-trick goal.

Every attack now carried menace and Balintore did well to hold out to the 74th minute before conceding again, Farquhar and Sandy Sutherland creating the opening for Ross to make it 5-1.

With the roof well and truly caving on the visitors, Farquhar was rewarded for his industry when he converted sub Stevie Reid's cutback.

Gavin Henderson, who earlier passed up a glorious headed chance, weighed in with the goal of the afternoon on 86 minutes. He exchanged passes with Sandy Sutherland before bulleting an unstoppable, rising drive outwith the reach of his flailing namesake.

Sandy Sutherland capped a memorable day when he finished off a sweeping last minute foray spearheaded by sub Lee Elder and Davidson.

Halkirk manager Ian MacDonald said he was confident before half-time that it would come good for his troops.

He said: We had a lot of possession but we weren't creating too much. We had a wee chat at half-time about things that our forwards weren't doing. After Sandy got his first, we went on to dominate and score some really good goals.

Halkirk - Mackay, C. Sinclair (R. Sutherland 78), Davidson, A. Sinclair, Miller, Farquhar, Henderson, MacDonald (Reid 78), Florence (Elder 68), Ross, S. Sutherland.

Balintore - Henderson, Stewart, Skinner, Calderwood, Ross, Martin, Pullen, Mitchell, MacDonald, Farquhar, Smith. Subs - McRitchie and Burke.

Referee - Mr G. Elder.

report provided by Iain Grant

pictures provided by jamesgunn.co.uk

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