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

League - 11/04/09
Bonar Bridge 6 - 5 Halkirk United

What was undoubtedly the most bizarre defeat in United's history signalled the end to their already faint hopes of a second North Caley League championship.

The result, combined with Golspie Sutherland's 3-0 win in Helmsdale, clinched back-to-back titles for the east Sutherland outfit.

The Anglers' pursuit of Golspie had been looking increasingly forlorn but they would have preferred the issue not to have been settled by their own slip-up.

Saturday's reverse was all the more perverse for Halkirk having comfortably prevailed in the three previous meetings between the pair this season.

They had looked good for a fourth after recovering from 2-0 down to lead 4-2, only to ship four goals before a last-minute reply.

Playing with the wind and the slope in the first half, Bonar showed early enterprise with their pacy front duo of Liam Rostock and Craig Campbell giving early glimpses of the threat they were to pose.

Campbell tested visiting keeper Shaun Henderson with a decent attempt before his strike partner struck the 15th minute opener.

Finding himself free on the left, he cut in before steering a firm shot wide of the keeper.

Two minutes later, Tain-based Rostock cottoned on to a clearance from keeper Steven MacLean. As Henderson dithered over whether or not to leave his box, Rostock neatly lobbed him.

United got a goal back on 21 minutes when Alan Farquhar and Chris Sutherland did the legwork for Kyle Ross to finish from close range.

It was all-square on 33 minutes when Chris Sutherland's hanging cross foxed MacLean and was buried at the far post by Ross.

After a dodgy start, the visitors were in charge and forged in front a minute after the turnaround.

Colin Sinclair fed Chris Sutherland who tricked Craig Mackay on a scuttling run along the bye-line before seeing his would-be cross deflect off MacLean into the net.

MacLean then did well to keep out a screamer from Farquhar but could do nothing on 67 minutes when Grant MacNab set up Ross for his third of the day.

There seemed no way back for Bonar but their never-say-die spirit and some woeful defending brought them a memorable victory.

The comeback began on 72 minutes when another communication breakdown at the heart of the visiting defence allowed Campbell licence to run through and chip the keeper from just outside the penalty box.

Three minutes later, Campbell turned provider for Jason Gunn to make it 4-4.

The homesters now had the bit firmly between their teeth and they recaptured the lead on 78 minutes when Rostock's 30 yarder left Henderson rooted to the spot as it flew past him.

Lochinver-based Gunn increased Bonar's lead three minutes from time when his underhit strike went through the legs of Henderson and trickled over the line to complete a miserable day for the keeper.

Halkirk got one back just before the end when Chris Sutherland seized on Colin Sinclair's through-ball to run through and slot past MacLean.

Halkirk manager Ian MacDonald was left seething about the defensive blunders which sent his side crashing to only their third league defeat.

When his side led 4-2, Golspie were being held 0-0 by Bunillidh Thistle and he was nursing hopes of his side staying in the title hunt. But the late collapse dashed any hope of a fairytale end to the elague campaign.

Our keeper had a bad day though he's generally done well for us this season, said MacDonald. The defeat was pretty hard to take after the season that we've had. I thought that after we got 4-2 ahead, we were going to be on easy street but we really just chucked the game away.

He credited Bonar for their doggedness and for taking the chances that came their way.

Bonar Bridge - S. MacLean, Sutherland, R. MacLean, Gunn, Mackay, Catley, Matheson, Montgomery, Rostock, Clark, Campbell. Subs - Lewis, Crombie and Cowie.

Halkirk - S. Henderson, C. Sinclair, Davidson, A. Sinclair, Miller, MacDonald, Farquhar, C. Sutherland, MacNab (R. Sutherland 73), Ross, Murray (Nicolson 80).

Ref - Mr B. Gunn.

report provided by Iain Grant

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