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

Port Services Group League - 13/02/10
Fort William 1 - 2 Halkirk United (Double header in Alness)

United had to sweat it out before taking all six points at stake in this PSG North Caley League double-header.

Neutral Alness hosted the match which replaced the scheduled home and away encounters to help ease the weather-induced stockpile of outstanding fixtures. It leaves the Lochaber outfit still searching for the first point in their debut season in NCL ranks.

After surviving a buffeting at the hands of their Caithness opponent for the loss of a single goal, the Fort looked to have salvaged a draw with Iain MacLellan's stunning 25 yarder with five minutes left.

But United promptly earned their second penalty of the afternoon which Colin Sinclair duly converted to assure his side of a double value victory.

Fort's keeper Garry MacLeod was everyone's stand-out candidate for man-of-the-match thanks to his stalwart resistance to regular spells of incessant pressure applied by the Anglers.

Time and again, the 26-year-old ex-Muir of Ord shot-stopper foiled United players when they seemed certain to score. That he was beaten only from spot-kicks speaks volumes for his heroic efforts to keep his team's hopes alive.

The Anglers had however themselves to blame for not making the game safe long before they had to endure the late dramatics.

With their strikers firing blanks, they fuelled their opponents' hopes of causing an upset.

United, who travelled with just one sub, wasted no time in trying to seize an early advantage.

In the opening few minutes, Stevie Reid fired narrowly past and Jimmy Budge's foraging ended with Stuart Florence's snap-shot inducing the first good stop from MacLeod.

MacLeod then stood up well to efforts from Reid and Scott Mackay Steven before diving full-length to turn away a stinging volley from Graham MacDonald.

Fort were defending in depth as the Anglers' attacks continued unabated.

MacKay Steven shot narrowly over and then had another goalbound effort deflected behind before his side forged in front on 36 minutes.

MacDonald's break carved out the opening for Reid who was hauled down as he raced into the penalty box.

Colin Sinclair's spot-kick wrong footed MacLeod to give United a belated lead.

The full-back nearly doubled his and his side's tally shortly afterwards but his finish ended up filling the outside of the right side-net.

Sinclair then set up Florence who was again foiled by the keeper before United were fizzing at not being awarded a second penalty when Reid appeared to be balked in the box by MacLeod.

The pattern of a United side frustrated by obdurate opponents continued after the break.

Budge was unlucky his shot a minute after the break found the outside of a post.

The big striker then threaded a pass to Colin Sinclair who found Mackay Steven whose fizzing strike produced another fine block from MacLeod.

The keeper needed help from John MacDonald on 52 minutes when the defender was stationed on the goal-line to prevent Mackay Steven netting Florence's assist.

On the hour-mark, good approach work from Alan Davis and Florence produced a clear sight of goal for Budge. His first effort was parried by MacLeod who recovered to push Budge's follow-up behind.

Reid missed an eight yard snip before Fort stunned the Anglers with a goal from just about their first serious attack of the game.

MacLennan took advantage of the space he was afforded on the fringe of the penalty box to unleash cork a stunning drive which beat under-worked United keeper Graeme Williamson all ends up.

Fort's delight lasted all of two minutes by when they had conceded a second penalty.

Colin Sinclair, pressed into a late forward role, beat a couple of opponents on a mazy run into the penalty area where he was crudely hauled down.

He picked himself before repeating his earlier faultless conversion which increased his side's points haul from the match from two to six.

United manager Ian MacDonald gave his opponents credit for belying their league status with a committed, tigerish display.

He said his side made it difficult for themselves because of their inability to convert any of the plethora of opportunities they created in open play.

'We had a lot of possession and cut out loads of chances but just couldn't convert,' he said.

'It was a strange atmosphere at the end as if you went into our dressing room, you'd have thought we'd have been beaten.'

The Anglers boss singled out MacLeod for an outstanding performance.

Fort William - MacLeod, Love, MacDonald, Shields, Ridpeath, MacNeill, McPhee, L. Corbett, MacLellan, Lopez, Barker. Subs - Kennedy and J. Corbett.

United - Williamson, Florence, Murray, A. Sinclair, C. Sinclair, Davis, Henderson, MacDonald, Reid, Budge (Mackay 75), Mackay Steven.

Ref - Mr J. Hasson.

report provided by Iain Grant

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