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

SWL Cup Semi-Final - 17/01/09
Muir of Ord 1 - 2 Halkirk United

Alan Farquhar
(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

The Anglers looked destined to suffer a second successive SWL Cup knock-out at Muir's ground. But they were let off the hook by two dramatic late goals which clinched their place in the final at the same venue versus Golspie Sutherland.

Defeat would have been hard to swallow for Ian MacDonald's troops who now have their sights firmly set on landing a second trophy.

Muir led through Martin Callum's early strike and they looked on course to win through, particularly after Halkirk were denied a stonewall penalty 10 minutes from time. But Mark Nichol levelled from the spot three minutes later before Alan Farquhar grabbed the 86th minute clincher.

Halkirk were first to threaten with Rovers keeper Martin Rae gathering Kyle Ross's testing 20 yard at the second attempt, with Nichol closing in fast.

A minute later, Sandy Sutherland's flick eluded Rae only to brush past the keeper's far post.

Nichol was next to sent an effort narrowly off target from Alan Sinclair's assist.

Muir forged ahead with their first attack after 15 minutes.

A crossfield switch from right to left ended with Michael Manson getting in ahead of Colin Davidson and Alan Sinclair to net.

Both teams struggled to cope with a very uneven pitch with the rest of the first half degenerating into a turgid midfield scrap.

Sutherland were unlucky seven minutes from the interval to steer a shot just the wrong side of a post.

The Anglers started the second half with renewed vigour and within a couple of minutes Nichol shot narrowly wide before Farquhar was thwarted by a marvellous double stop from Rae.

Halkirk had a let-off on 55 minutes when visiting keeper Jamie Mackay misread the flight of Ewan Dance's dipping header which came off the face of the crossbar. Paul Clark sent his follow-up header wide of the target.

Muir defended in depth with Halkirk increasingly committing resources forward as they sought an equaliser. They were convinced they were hard-done by when Sutherland was upended in the penalty box as he raced in on goal.

Inverness ref John Nicolson saw it differently but on 83 minutes he pointed to the spot after Farquhar's promising surge into the box was impeded by a tug on his shirt by defender Alan Hercher jnr.

Nichol sent Rae the wrong way with a rising spot-kick.

The force was now firmly with the Anglers and they duly settled the semi on 86 minutes when Sandy Sutherland fed Nichol whose flick pierced the defence to enable Farquhar to break clear and side-foot the ball past Rae.

Graham MacDonald's 45 yard chip in the last minute wrongfooted Rae who was relieved to see it pass inches over his bar.

That would have been the icing on the cake for the visitors but they were just relieved to have made it through to their second final of the season.

Manager MacDonald believes Muir's goal was clearly offside.

He said: The pitch was very bumpy which made life difficult and the first half was a real physical battle in the middle of the park. After they got the early goal, they sat in and defended in depth. We were well on top in the second half when our keeper had very little to do. We had a lot of pressure but unlike the previous week when everything was going in, our shots on Saturday shots were going just the wrong side of the post. It was great to get the win and hopefully the pitch will be in better condition for the final.

Golspie eased through to the final on January 31 with a 4-0 away win over Alness United. Ken Whyte (2), Tommy Campbell and Michael Sanderson were their scorers.

Muir of Ord - Rae, Niven, Hercher, Brennan, Pirie, Callum, MacMillan, Clark, Dance, Lyall, Manson. Subs - Cadden, MacGruer, Ireland and McAllister.

Halkirk - Mackay, Ross, A. Sinclair, Miller, Davidson, Farquhar, MacDonald, Henderson, Nichol, Sutherland and Elder. Subs (unused) - Florence, C. Sinclair and Niwa.

Ref - Mr J. Nicolson, Inverness.

report provided by Iain Grant

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