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

League - 14/03/09
Halkirk United 6 - 2 Bonar Bridge

This victory in a wind-ravaged match on Saturday sealed United's best ever MSIS North Caledonian League home programme.

Of the 10 visitors to Recreation Park, only Muir of Ord Rovers have come away with any reward - a point from a 2-2 draw at the end of August.

Bonar were the latest side to return empty-handed as the Anglers took advantage of leaders Golspie's inaction to move within a point of the Sutherland side.

While the elements marred Saturday's contest, United could claim that had relatively little effect on the outcome as they netted three goals in each half.

Playing with a wind sweeping towards the riding centre end, a supercharged start had the home side two goals to the good before Bonar had a chance to properly settle.

Alan Farquhar dragged a shot wide in the opening minute after being sent in on goal from Alan Sinclair's well-weighted long-ball.

A minute later, his brother Colin Sinclair swapped passes with Farquhar before rifling a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty box past keeper David Crombie.

On 11 minutes, the keeper was again clutching thin air as he was beaten by Mark Nichol's far-post strike.

Crombie pulled off the first of number of fine stops in getting to Gavin Henderson's 25 yard howitzer.

Nichol was regularly involved in the first half and after firing narrowly past, grabbed his second on 25 minutes.  Colin Sinclair's breenge into the box ended with his shot being parried by Crombie into the path of the striker who found the net.

Nichol was unlucky not to seal a hat-trick before half-time with three attempts, one of which came back off a post.

Bonar rallied after the break with Calum Fulton's menacing, wind-assisted cross being held by Sean Henderson at the second attempt.

The Halkirk keeper was powerless after 50 minutes to prevent Liam Rostock opening Bonar's account with a well-placed header.

Three minutes later, Lee Elder restored United's three goal cushion when he seized on Farquhar's feed to slot the ball behind Crombie.

Bonar were determined to make a contest of it and after 63 minutes again narrowed the deficit when Sean Henstridge sprung an offside trap before scoring past his John O'Groats summer league team-mate.

United quickly regained the upper hand and went close on a couple of occasions before sub Stevie Reid notched his first of the season on 73 minutes.

Nichol skillfully held off several opponents before setting up his strike partner to net from close range to make it 5-2.

Sub Michael Bremner celebrated his first start since mid-January to complete the scoring five minutes from time.

His free-kick from the edge of the penalty box was well enough struck but the wind undoubtedly played its part in it foxing Crombie and arc-ing in at his far post.

United manager Ian MacDonald was happy with how his side managed to deal with the conditions.

He said: If it was calm day, I think we could have scored quite a few more. It was pretty comfortable though we gave away a bad goal after the break which gave them a bit of a lift.

Halkirk - S. Henderson, C. Sinclair, Davidson, A. Sinclair, Miller, Farquhar, Henderson, MacDonald (Bremner 75), Ross (Reid h/t), Nichol (Bremner 75), Elder.

Bonar Bridge - Crombie, Sutherland, Munro, Gunn, Mackay, MacLean, Fulton, Rostock, Henstridge, Dorrian, Levein. Sub (both used) - MacNab and Campbell.

Ref - Mr G. Elder.

report provided by Iain Grant

End-of-Document