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

League - 13/09/08
Halkirk United 8 - 1 Bunillidh Thistle

Mark Nichol
(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

Mark Nichol registered one of the quickest threesomes in MSIS North Caley history as United romped to another runaway victory.

Nichol struck three times in 12 minutes as Bunillidh were put to the sword by a side who have their sights firmly set on wresting the title from the grasp of tomorrow's opponents Golspie Sutherland.

Nichol ended the day with six as United lifted their tally to 20 in their opening four matches.

The striker's capture from county rivals Thurso fills a notable void in the scoring department which has hamstrung recent championship challenges by Ian MacDonald's men. Fellow new signings Kyle Ross and Luke Sawyer, along with the returning Stevie Reid and local youngster Liam Mackay leave them with no shortage of options up front.

Bunillidh travelled north with an optimism swelled by one of their best starts for a number of seasons, including a 4-3 win in Balintore in their previous outing.

The feel-good factor among Willie's Cowie's troops soon dissipated as their goal came under regular threat from a variety of sources. Stand-in keeper Malcolm Cowie was quickly in action in having to tip over a 35 yard screamer from Colin Sinclair on three minutes.

Two minutes later, he was powerless to prevent Nichol getting his first of the afternoon when the striker ran clear and rounded him before netting.

Kyle Ross
(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

Ross went close with a dipping effort from just outside the box as his side went on to create but pass up a clutch of half-chances.

It was 29 minutes when Bunillidh conceded the second when Nichol drilled a hard, low shot past Cowie from the edge of the box.

United's only real concern in the first period was when Chris Sutherland had to leave the park for a prolonged spell of treatment after being the victim of a scything tackle from Nicky Denoon. Denoon avoided official sanction though Halkirk defender Stuart Florence was booked on 32 minutes for a shirt-tug.

A minute later, Nichol struck again when he wrong footed a defender before firing a sweet left-foot strike past a bemused Cowie.

With Halkirk firmly in charge, Nichol was at it again on 41 minutes, netting with a glancing header from Colin Sinclair's free-kick.

Within a minute of the restart, Bunillidh lost possession and a swift United counter would have seen Nichol celebrating again had his netbound shot not cannoned off a defender.

On 55 minutes, Ross played in Colin Sinclair whose shot produced a fine save from Cowie.

Halkirk made it 5-0 on 58 minutes when Ross followed up to drill home after Nichol's shot had been parried by Cowie.

Luke Sawyer
(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

Home keeper Stuart MacCulloch was employed sparingly with Bunillidh registering only a couple of shots on target all day.

He was however beaten on 68 minutes when Bunillidh sub Walter Mackay was on hand to turn in a corner at the back post.

Halkirk responded with a sweeping move which ended with sub Lee Elder's chip coming back off the underside of the bar.

Nichol grabbed his fifth on 75 minutes after he swept in Elder's cutback.

Michael Bremner, just back from a year's stint in Australia, was quickly into the action after coming off the bench. He seized on a loose clearance before lashing a shot firmly wide of Cowie to make it 7-1.

The scoring was completed five minutes from the end when man-of-the-match Nichol finished off a sweeping multi-pass move.

Halkirk pair Colin Sinclair and Elder were booked in the death throes of the game, both for dissent, adding to Bunillidh's Jordan Sutherland earlier caution for a late tackle.

The display as much as the result was pleasing for manager MacDonald for whom there was only one real talking point.

"Mark certainly brought his shooting boots today," he said. "He also scored some really good goals - there was no tap-ins. "Hopefully, they don't dry up as we've got some hard games coming up."

MacDonald is frustrated that key men are missing for tomorrow's trip to Golspie.

Midfielders Gavin Henderson and Alan Farquhar are still out with knee complaints though Sutherland should have recovered from Saturday's knock.

Stuart Florence adds to the absentees as he is off for a work stint in England.

MacDonald said: "They are playing us at the right time for them as we're pretty short in important areas of the park. "Stuart is a big miss as we don't really have anybody else who can fit in at left back and the defence was having a settled look to it. "We'll however be giving it a real go and hopefully we'll get a result."

Halkirk - MacCulloch, C. Sinclair, Florence (Elder 65), A. Sinclair, Miller, MacDonald, Davidson, Nichol, Ross, Sutherland (Reid 65), Sawyer (Bremner 70).

Bulnillidh Thistle - M. Cowie, Melville, M. Sheppard, Duncan, Denoon, MacGregor, J. Sutherland, Urquhart, MacDonald, M. Sutherland, D. Sheppard. Subs -- W. Mackay, Banks, D. Cowie and Flett.

Ref - Mr W. Sinclair, Canisbay..

report provided by Iain Grant

pictures provided by jamesgunn.co.uk

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