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

League & Football Times Cup Round 2 - 06/03/10
Invergordon 2 - 4 Halkirk United

The puddled state of Recreation Park proved something of a blessing in disguise for the Anglers on Saturday. As it was unfit to host their scheduled Football Times Cup tie versus Invergordon, the match was switched to the latter's ground.

While it meant they had to travel, the fixture was turned into a cup and league double/header, thus helping ease United's backlog of games.

A victory completed a satisfying day for the club whose playing resources were stretched as a result of the absence of a handful of regulars.

Three nil to the good at the interval, United seemed to be coasting to a stress-free double success.

But the previously shot-shy hosts grabbed one back with just about their first attack of the game and bagged another with seven minutes to go.

That energised what had been a fairly lifeless encounter and the visitors needed a fourth from sub Stevie Reid to head off the prospect of being the victims of what would have been the most unlikely fightback of the season.

Work commitments forced United keeper Graeme Williamson to miss his first game of the season. He was replaced by sixteen-year-old Daniel Budge while Wick defender Gavin Cormack won his first start of the season.

The newcomers had a gentle introduction with Halkirk dominating the first half when Budge's main duty being to deal with the occasional pass-back.

Had the visitors' finishing being up to the mark, they could have turned round with a much more comfortable cushion.

Invergordon keeper Alistair Matheson was regularly to the fore and it was no surprise he ended up the selection for his team's man-of-the-match.

He was in action as early as the second minute to beat away a raking effort from Scott Mackay Steven. Luke Sawyer netted the rebound but it was chalked off as he had clearly strayed offside.

There were a couple of further near things before the 15th minute opener.

It was created by a rampaging run by Cormack whose cutback was touched on by Jimmy Budge who was scythed down by Matheson after he stepped past the keeper. Colin Sinclair converted the resultant spot-kick.

United had eight minutes to wait before they struck again when Graham MacDonald's cross to the far post was headed home by Grant MacNab.

The chances continued to be cut out with Sinclair going close before United went three up on 38 minutes.

Alan Davis's break from the back was not tracked and his flick-on allowed Budge to bore in on goal and dink the ball past Matheson.

A minute later, Sinclair put Budge was put in the clear again but this time the striker got in a fankle and the chance was lost.

MacNab then shot over from good position after a neat build-up from Colin Davidson and Budge.

The feeling on both sides that the game amounted to a dead rubber was only slightly altered when the home side got a goal back on 53 minutes.

Neil Stevens made the running before David Manson set up Paul Austin to head past Budge.

United retained the upper hand and Matheson did well to keep out efforts from Budge and Sawyer.

The keeper's best moment came on 68 minutes when he somehow got enough leverage to reach up to tip over Sinclair's 35 yard chip-shot.

Mackay Steven then skied two good chances before Invergordon breathed new life in what had looked a hopeless cause.

Austin's route to goal was summarily aborted by a reckless challenge in the penalty box by Sawyer.

Robert Ross's successful spot-kick had the home camp dreaming of completing a Lazarus-esque revival.

But their hopes were extinguished by Reid's 86th minute counter when he swept home a precise cross from the industrious Cormack.

United manager Ian MacDonald was unhappy with his side for failing to keep their mind on their job after a barnstorming first half.

'We just seemed to switch off after the interval,' he said.
'It was like night and day but the important thing is that we got the result. The double-header was also good news as it helps cut our backlog of games.'

The manager was keen to praise the performances of both Cormack and MacNab.

Invergordon - Matheson, Graham, Stirling, Stainke, Ross, MacAskill, Stone, Austin, Wilde, Stevens, Manson. Subs - Morrison, Fraser, Campbell, Munro and Rose.

United - Budge, Murray, Davis, MacDonald, Sinclair (Reid 77), Cormack, Davidson, Sawyer, MacNab, Budge, Mackay Steven (Munro 82). Sub (unused) - Banks.

Ref - Mr G. Elder.

report provided by Iain Grant

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