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

Football Times Cup Final - 02/05/09
Halkirk United 2 - 0 Golspie

Kevin Miller accepts the winners trophy.
(photo by Colin Gregory/James Gunn photography)

United's Midas touch held good on Saturday as the curtain came down on this year's North Caley season.

Two goals in the dying minutes of Saturday's final of the Football Times Cup at Recreation Park enabled the Anglers to reel in a third trophy in what has been their most successful season.

As the celebrations got underway, their opponents were left fuming over the award of the penalty which put them behind. So piqued were they over the perceived injustice that several in the Golspie camp boycotted the trophy presentation.

The controversy followed a full-blooded contest into which the sides had entered with two wins apiece.

United opened against the stiff breeze blowing towards the riding centre end.

Lee Elder showed up well early on with several probes down the left flank resulting in menacing crosses which were scrambled clear.

The first danger at the other end came with John Mackay's dipping 30 yarder which veered just wide.

picture provided by Colin Gregory/James Gunn photography

Colin Sinclair and Mark Nichol then linked to open the way for an Elder attempt which was blocked by defender Jordan Sutherland.

Robbie MacDougall was unable to get a header on target for Golspie before United forced a run of corners.

(photo by Colin Gregory/James Gunn photography)

On 25 minutes, they came desperately close to the breakthrough when Elder's centre opened the way for Sandy Sutherland. The striker seemed to have beaten Robert Donaldson only for the ball to strike the keeper's trailing leg and roll clear of the goal.

Sandy Sutherland misfired when provided with a later half-chance while Gavin Henderson went close with a scorching long-ranger.

United were aggrieved not to win a penalty on 29 minutes when Donaldson took Nichol's legs from him as the striker, with his back to goal, sought to turn on the ball.

Four minutes from the interval, Shaun Henderson required assistance from Colin Sinclair to complete a clearance after he had parried a strike from Michael Dunnett.

The last chance of the half fell to Elder who headed over after good lead-up work from Chris Sutherland.

Golspie enjoyed decent spells of possession in the third quarter but most of the decent chances were created by United.

Colin Sinclair's measured pass put Graham MacDonald rampaging in on goal after 49 minutes. Donaldson's brave block kept his goal intact and also left the Halkirk player nursing a badly bruised shin.

Mackay was then required to head off the line after Donaldson was posted missing for Elder's inswinging corner.

(photo by Colin Gregory/James Gunn photography)

Halkirk missed a glorious double chance on 76 minutes when Stevie Reid's 10 yarder was pushed out by Donaldson to Kyle Ross. With the net at his mercy, he blasted the ball off the underside of the crossbar.

Within minutes, Golspie almost took full advantage with Aaron Smith going desperately close and United defender Kevin Miller intervening to prevent MacDougall netting with a header.

The match appeared heading for extra-time until the frantic sequence of events.

Three minutes from time, a partially cleared United corner fell to Colin Sinclair who swung a cross into the crowded penalty box. After MacDougall rose to clear, a shrill blast of ref Graham Elder's whistle to signal the use of an arm provoked a furious reaction from the Sutherland side.

Colin Sinclair kept his composure to send Donaldson the wrong way with the spot-kick.

A minute into injury-time, the Anglers struck again from a free-kick awarded after they failed to get an advantage from a foul on Reid on the edge of the semi-circle of the Golspie penalty box.

Sub Michael Bremner stepped up and sent a curling drive wide of the wall and past Donaldson.

United manager Ian MacDonald was in no doubt his side deserved to come out on top.

We could've been three ahead by the interval and missed a couple of really good chances in the second half. We also should have had a penalty when Mark was taken down in the box.

Like many on the sidelines, MacDonald did not have a good view of the incident which led to the penalty award.

He believed his side would have prevailed had extra-time been necessary.

Overall, he is pleased at how his troops have performed.

I'm delighted with the way the season has gone and to have ended up with three trophies. The guys are getting a bit more experience and are starting to gel together well.

Golspie - Donaldson, J. Sutherland, Mackay, MacLean, Thomson, Campbell, A. Sutherland, Dunnett, MacDougall, Whyte, S. Sutherland, Subs - Smith, Taylor and MacAskill.

Halkirk - S. Henderson, C. Sinclair, Miller, A. Sinclair, Davidson, MacDonald, G. Henderson, C. Sutherland (Ross h/t), S. Sutherland (R. Sutherland 80), Nichol (Reid 61), Elder. Sub (unused) - Farquhar.

Referee - Mr G. Elder.

report provided by Iain Grant

picture provided by Colin Gregory/James Gunn photography

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