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

League - 07/03/09
Muir of Ord Rovers 1 - 1 Halkirk United

Lee Elder

If, as seems likely, United come up short in the MSIS North Caley title race, they will pin a fair bit of responsibility on their latest opponents.

Their two clashes with Rovers, the Anglers have cost them four points - the current gap between them and leaders Golspie Sutherland.

Halkirk's cause was not helped in travelling minus strikers Mark Nichol and Sandy Sutherland who had accounted for half of the team's 88 goals in the current campaign.

The additional absence of fellow frontman Stevie Reid resulted in the deployment of Wick youngster Grant MacNab as a triallist.

Halkirk had also to contend with a rutted, bare park which was more suited to the more direct, uncomplicated style favoured by the hosts.

United's discomfort grew when they conceded an avoidable goal in four minutes.

Jack Mackay was quickly involved in turning a netbound Ewan Dance header behind for a corner. But the visiting keeper got in a real fankle as he sought to deal with Martin Callum's wind-assisted delivery. Mackay's attempt to collect at the near post succeeded only in diverting the ball into the back of his net.

Halkirk came close to levelling minutes later when MacNab had a fiery shot parried by home keeper Stewart Hyslop and Lee Elder's follow-up came back off a post.

MacNab then headed Colin Sinclair's measured cross narrowly over and United defender Kevin Miller watched his crack at goal flash past, with Hyslop beaten.

Halkirk continued to press and Kyle Ross looked certain to equalise on 22 minutes only for his flick to beat Hyslop but prevented from crossing the line by Martyn McAllister's lunging clearance.

Dingwall-based Hyslop, a member of Brora Rangers' under-19s, was one of the day's best performers. He ensured Rovers kept their lead when he threw himself to prevent Miller converting Colin Davidson's free-kick.

Mackay performed a similar feat to thwart Ewan Dance after he rose to meet Michael Manson's cross with a powerful header.

After turning round to play with the wind at their backs, United fancied their chances of overcoming the deficit.

In 46 minutes, Colin Sinclair and Graham MacDonald cut out an opening for MacNab, which the youngster could not convert.

Two minutes later, a lightning raid ended with Alan Farquhar haring into the box after getting on the end of Colin Davidson's feed. His attempt came back off Hyslop's legs and the keeper somehow recovered to block MacNab's follow-up.

Muir rugged defender Norman Bain, booked early on for several dangerous tackles, was fortunate to stay on the park when he scythed down Alan Farquhar midway through the second period.

Hyslop was to the fore again in keeping out a MacDonald header on the hour-mark.

Muir's defence was subjected to a string of menacing deliveries from either flank and, on another day, several of their hurried clearances would have found the net rather than spiral behind for corners.

The pressure finally brought its reward on 74 minutes after Colin Sinclair cross hit the jackpot.

MacNab beat MacAllister in the air and his flick-on found Elder who rounded Alan Geegan before placing a firm shot past Hyslop.

Muir almost regained their lead five minutes from time when a header from the lively Dance was fielded on the line by MacKay.

Halkirk went desperately close with two efforts in the last two minutes.

Sub Martin Murray's corner produced a stunning strike from Colin Sinclair which thumped back off the junction of the bar and the keeper's left-hand post.

Kyle Ross was then inches away from what would have been a scoring connection from Davidson's free-kick.

Afterwards, United manager Ian MacDonald conceded the draw felt more like a defeat.

The result means that Golspie would have to drop at least seven points from their remaining five matches to allow Halkirk back in the race.

MacDonald said: If they beat Balintore on Saturday, the title is as good as theirs as they have a fairly straightforward run-in after that. I really can't see them faltering now.

The manager said his side struggled for fluency on the bumpy park and in the face of the 'pretty negative' tactics of the opposition.

But he said they have only themselves to blame for failing to take a clutch of gilt-edged chances.

Muir of Ord - Hyslop, Geegan, Bain, McAllister, Niven, MacMillan, Gair, Callum, Dance, Calvert, Manson. Subs - Cadden and Kerr.

Halkirk - Mackay, C. Sinclair, Davidson, A. Sinclair, Miller, Farquhar, Henderson, MacDonald, Ross, MacNab (Sutherland 76), Elder (Murray 76). Sub (unused) - Bremner.

report provided by Iain Grant

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