Halkirk United FC - Reports, Results & Photos - Season 2009-2010

Port Services Group League - 20/03/10
Halkirk United 2 - 2 Dingwall Thistle

All the action in Recreation Park's first PSG North Caley League clash of 2010 was shoehorned into the first half. Four goals were shared in a well-matched contest, whetting the fans' appetite for what was to come.

Sadly, the remainder of the fare on offer bordered on the unpalatable.

A midfield stalemate and next to no shots on target left both sides having to settle for a draw which, if fair, increased the gap between the pair and leaders Thurso.

United led twice through Gavin Henderson and Jimmy Budge but each time the Jags hit back to level.

A raging wind blowing down the pitch towards the riding centre end militated against the free-flowing, precise passing game favoured by Anglers' boss Ian MacDonald.

The visitors seized an early initiative and Henderson's spanking free-kick opener on 12 minutes came after the United goal had come under serious threat.

The home defence just survived its first test when David Taylor's early free-kick was scrambled clear at the expense of a corner.

On six minutes, David Murray induced even more palpitations when his driven cross invited a volley from Craig Munro which clattered off the underside of the bar.

Shortly afterwards, David Mackay's lofted cross found Taylor whose well-struck shot tested keeper's Graeme Williamson's reactions and handling ability.

United struck the jackpot with their first real foray into enemy territory after 12 minutes.

After Murray fouled Colin Sinclair 35 yards out, Henderson's pop at goal against the wind left visiting keeper Neil Mackay rooted to the spot as it lodged in the right-hand corner bracket of the goal-frame.

By midway through the half, the dice were loaded in favour of United who were injecting variety and pace into their attacks.

Keeper Mackay was called on to make an eyecatching dive to deny Scott Mackay Steven and shortly after flung himself at Jimmy Budge's feet after good work from Graham MacDonald and Mackay Steven had sent the big striker on a run-in.

Just as United's first had come against the run of play, the Jags' leveller on the half-hour mark came against the grain.

It stemmed from a needlessly conceded corner by Henderson. Munro rose to head the deep delivery across to Gary Urquhart who slammed it home from close in.

Halkirk almost recaptured the lead two minutes later when Colin Sinclair's free-kick found Budge whose header was turned behind by Mackay.

An action replay on 32 minutes had a different outcome when a sharp counter ended with Budge rising to nod Stuart Florence's floated centre wide of Mackay to make it 2-1.

The home camp were incensed when they felt they were unjustly denied the chance to double their lead when Colin MacLeod made contact with a hand in the box.

The officials turned deaf ears to the appeals as the former Golspie Sutherland and Forres Mechanics defender breathed a huge sigh of relief when he was allowed to play on.

Dingwall's Caithness exile John MacLeod had few opportunities to extend his 21 goal haul for the season.

Five minutes from the interval, he finally managed to manufacture an opening for himself with a quicksilver turn and shot which fizzed narrowly past.

After Mackay showed agility to field a towering Florence cross in the swirling wind, his side got on terms again a minute from the interval.

Colin Davidson's baulk on Urquhart in the box was penalised, allowing Taylor to slot home the spot-kick.

The second half made for tough viewing with a claustrophobic midfield and neither side able to make much impression on unyielding defences.

Just about the only goalmouth incident of any note arrived within two minutes of the resumption when Colin Sinclair's corner produced another netbound header from Budge which was hacked off the goal-line by Norman Bain.

Otherwise, the main job for the respective keepers was to clutch a succession of wind-fuelled spiralling crosses.

Afterwards, manager MacDonald bemoaned his side fade-out after turning round with the elements in their favour.

He said: 'We were rubbish in the second half. I think too many of us thought it was going to be easy when the wind was on our backs. It did die down a bit after the interval but it was disappointing how our performance dropped off.'

MacDonald was unhappy his side were not awarded a penalty when they led 2-1 and was not convinced by the merits of Thistle's spot-kick.

United - Williamson, Florence, Murray, A. Sinclair, MacDonald, C. Sinclair (Reid 66), Henderson, MacDonald, Budge, Mackay Steven (Munro 80), Sawyer (Shearer 64).

Dingwall Thistle - N. Mackay, Morton, Bain, D. Mackay, Duff, MacLean, Murray, Taylor, Macleod, Urquhart, Munro. Subs (used) - Miller, Dorrian and Manson.

Ref - Mr G. Elder.

report provided by Iain Grant

photos provided by jamesgunn.co.uk

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