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

League - 27/12/08
Thurso FC 0 - 2 Halkirk United

Lee Elder
(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

United on Saturday achieved what had eluded them for the past decade.

Not since Thurso's formation in 1998 had their county rivals managed to score a victory at Sir Georges Park in league or cup action.  The run was ended thanks to two unanswered second half goals from Lee Elder and Sandy Sutherland.

That the win was achieved in one of the less riveting contests in the sequence of derby fixtures will not trouble the Halkirk outfit one jot.

While breaking their long barren run at the home of their county rivals, the victory enables United to move within two points of MSIS North Caley League leaders Golspie Sutherland.

Halkirk manager Ian MacDonald earlier this week flew out for a festive break in Egypt, happy to have avoided a potential banana skin but knowing that his side need their Sutherland rivals to trip up if they are to be denied a second successive title.

Defeat for the Vikings came after an infusion of recruits helped them register morale-boosting league wins over Muir of Ord and Balintore.

Stevie Reid's men remain focused on securing a top four place, which looks likely to secure a North of Scotland Cup spot next season.

(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

The home camp were heartened by an industrious first half-hour when they did enough to have neutrals question their status of underdogs.

While they had most of the quality possession during this spell, they seldom threatened Jamie Mackay's goal.

The one clear opportunity fell on 21 minutes to Martin Sinclair when he jabbed the ball past the post with just the keeper to beat.

Home keeper Michael Gray was tested a couple of minutes later when he had to stretch to tip Alan Sinclair's long-ranger over the bar while Lee MacDougall was required to clear a deflection from a corner off the goal-line.

Halkirk belatedly stirred themselves into action in the closing 15 minutes of the half when their passing and movement justified their claim to be title contenders.

A neat flick from Sandy Sutherland put Colin Sinclair clear but the latter opted against having a go, in favour of a return pass to the striker, who was crowded out.

Two minutes from the break, Gavin Henderson's free-kick presented Chris Sutherland with a sitter, which he contrived to screw wide.

Gray ensured his side went in at the interval on level terms when he was equal to Henderson's lusty 35 yarder.

The pendulum swung back towards the Vikings in the 15 minutes after the resumption with Jamie MacKenzie prompting and probing in the heart of midfield.

(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

The opening goal was always going to be vital and Halkirk did not look back after it came their way on 58 minutes.

Elder had just come off the bench when he hared after a ball down the left flank.  From the corner of the 18 yard box, he shaped to cross and - whether by design or default - steered the ball between Gray and his near post.

Five minutes later, Halkirk grabbed a second after Sutherland's lay-off invited sub Mark Nichol to drill a low shot from six yards.  It was cleared off the line but Sandy Sutherland was lurking to slide the rebound home.

The Thurso goal had a close shave minutes later when slick interplay by Henderson, Nichol and Chris Sutherland almost gave sub Stevie Reid a goal in his first involvement.

Gray denied Nichol before a late Thurso rally saw Bain and Sean Stewart go close to getting one back.

Manager MacDonald said:

"Thurso started the better team though they did not really create much in the way of goal-scoring opportunities throughout the game. "I thought we were poor in our distribution of the ball but we had decent spells and took our chances."

MacDonald added:

"It breaks the hoodoo of us never having won in Thurso and it keeps the pressure on Golspie though we knew we have to rely on them slipping up if we are going to catch them."

Opposite number Reid said:

"Halkirk are a good, strong team but I thought we competed very well against them. "The first goal was always going to be crucial and if Martin had managed to take that early chance, it might have been different. "When it came, the first goal was a fluke."

Thurso - Gray, Munro (Mackay 69), Stewart, Steven, Stuart Sinclair, Petrie, Cumming, MacKenzie, M. Sinclair, Bain (Steven Sinclair 87), MacDougall (Miller 87).

United - Mackay, Ross, Davidson, A. Sinclair, Miller, Henderson, Farquhar, C. Sutherland, S. Sutherland (Reid 64), C. Sinclair (Elder 57), Florence (Nichol 57). Subs (unused) - Niwa and Bremner.

Ref - Mr G. Elder..

report provided by Iain Grant

pictures provided by jamesgunn.co.uk

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