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

League - 10/01/09
Halkirk United 8 - 0 Invergordon

(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

United striker Mark Nichol rattled in seven as Invergordon were buried without trace in Saturday's North Caley League encounter at Recreation Park.

The former Thurso frontman's strike-rate is on course to win him his third league golden boot award in a row.

His first season with the Anglers has not been all plain sailing with his form dipping during a recent spell when he was edged out of the starting line-up. Saturday's seven goal haul came at the end of a relatively lean spell, with him having bagged just three in the previous six outings.

As much as Saturday's success in front of goal pleased manager Ian MacDonald, he was as impressed with the continued watertight look to his defence.

Halkirk have now gone 373 minutes since they last conceded a goal, in their 4-2 home win versus Alness.

The visitors on Saturday took heart from a decent opening first half-hour when they were playing with a near galeforce wind on their backs.

Sandy Sutherland should have put the home side in front after seven minutes but miskicked with the goal at his mercy.

(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

Invergordon's only clear opening came when Chris Dixon strode forward from the halfway line with his 25 yard pot-shot being pouched by home keeper Shaun Henderson.

The Easter Ross outfit had another escape on the half-hour mark when Nichol's miscue from Alan Farquhar's cross fell kindly to Sandy Sutherland whose attempt was blocked.

The opener came two minutes later with Nichol left unmarked from a Kyle Ross free-kick to fire past keeper Steven Campbell from eight yards.

Nichol had another 'goal' ruled out for an offside flag before the striker doubled his side's advantage six minutes from half-time.  He took possession just inside his own half and surged past several opponents before executing a delicate chip which cleared Campbell before going into the net off the underside of the bar.

Two minutes after the interval, Gavin Henderson and Chris Sutherland did the spadework for Nichol to slide in his third.

On 50 minutes, the striker seized on Colin Davidson's cross to the far post before lashing the ball past Campbell.

The Nichol show was briefly interrupted on 59 minutes when Alan Sinclair combined with Sandy Sutherland to allow the latter to fire home.

(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

Nichol went close with a header before adding to his tally on 65 minutes with the pick of his collection. Latching on to a slack clearance at the pavilion end, he surprised Campbell with an angled 25 yard curling shot which veered high past the motionless keeper.

Nichol made it 7-0 on 77 minutes when he tapped in Farquhar's assist.  He rounded things off three minutes from time after flicking Chris Sutherland's centre over Campbell.

His personal tally beats the club's previous best - Nichol's six in United's 8-1 early season home win over Bunillidh Thistle.

Halkirk manager Ian MacDonald said:-

"Mark has been training regularly and you could see the difference in his fitness - he also looks a bit more hungry. "Once he got the first couple of goals, everything that left his boot seemed to be flying into the net."
MacDonald said Saturday's match was only the second time he has been able to field a full-strength squad.

United - S. Henderson, Ross, Davidson, A. Sinclair, Miller (C. Sinclair 80), G. Henderson, Farquhar, MacDonald, C. Sutherland (Reid 87), S. Sutherland (Bremner 62), Nichol, Subs (unused) - Florence and Elder.

Invergordon - Campbell, McCormack, Kennedy, Legge, MacHendry, Murphy, Dixon, Stevens, Cooper, Wilde, Rose. Sub (used) - MacGruer.

Ref - Mr B. Gunn.

report provided by Iain Grant

pictures provided by jamesgunn.co.uk

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