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

Lindsay's Cup Final, Bonar Bridge - 24/10/09
Halkirk United 1 - 2 Muir of Ord

Halkirk on Saturday returned empty-handed from their trip to Bonar Bridge when the first silverware of the North Caley season was decided.

While the Anglers enjoyed a clear advantage in the possession stakes and carved out the lion's share of goal opportunities, Muir of Ord finished ahead in the only statistic that really matters.

Goals near the start of each half by the predatory Ewan Dance gave Rovers a lead which failed to reflect the pattern of play.

Sandy Sutherland quickly got one back but though the Muir goal continued to come under pressure, the Easter Ross men prevailed to lift the North Caledonian Cup.

It is their second trophy success since their return to North Caley ranks two seasons ago.

A dry spell towards the end of last week had eased fears about the fitness of Migdale Park. But the heavens opened shortly before kick-off and the final was blighted by heavy showers and a gusty breeze.

The elements did not suit Halkirk's precise, passing game though, to their credit, they stuck to their guns throughout.

United made the early running only to find themselves behind on four minutes.

Gary Calvert surged past Stuart Florence and Colin Davidson before seeing his cutback drilled in off the underside of the bar by Dance.

Halkirk butchered a glorious chance to level within a minute when Sandy Sutherland's driven, low cross was scuffed wide by Scott Mackay Steven.

Alan Larnach then clipped the top of the Muir bar and Florence's snap 35 yarder gave Rovers' keeper Martin Rae a few flutters.

Muir favoured the long-range, direct approach, one of which saw Martin Callum make a hash of an inviting opening on 15 minutes.

Halkirk's lead-up work throughout the afternoon was to be regularly undone by some woeful attempts on goal.

MacKay Steven fired blanks on two further occasions when the Muir defence had been opened up by Chris Sutherland and Luke Sawyer.

Chris Sutherland at least managed to force a save from Rae while the keeper got down well to block a 40 yard humdinger of a free-kick from Gavin Henderson.

Halkirk went on to create and pass up a rake of opportunities in the closing 10 minutes of the half.

Rae was overworked as he spread himself well to keep out convincing efforts from Graham MacDonald and Sandy Sutherland.

Mackay Steven's miserable day in front of goal meanwhile continued when his close-range connection from Sawyer's centre clattered back off the underside of the bar.

In the last action, Sawyer set up Sandy Sutherland for an effort which was parried to safety by Rae.

Muir continued to threaten on the counter-attack with Dance and Tony Farquhar proving a lively forward pairing.

Farquhar should have doubled his side's lead three minutes after the interval when he miscued from eight yards with just United keeper Graeme Williamson in his sights.

Sawyer was next to develop stagefright in front of goal.

Worked into prime shooting range on three occasions in as many minutes, he contrived to force Rae only once to make a save.

No such problems inhibited Dance when the striker was put in on goal after Gary's Calvert's assist from Rae's clearance.

Dance's crisp finish from inside the six yard box put United two behind on 51 minutes.

Within two minutes, they halved the deficit when Sawyer skipped past Blair Duncan before picking out Sandy Sutherland whose shot was strong enough to count despite Rae getting a glove to it.

Halkirk were soon pressing for the equaliser and it almost came when sub Mark Munro's cross was helped on Florence to Kyle Ross whose netbound effort was foiled by a last-ditch block.

Sandy Sutherland, Munro and Jimmy Budge all went close in a late push when Muir showed commendable grit and resolution.

The last chance came five minutes from time when Munro's centre was flicked on by Budge to Sandy Sutherland whose shot came back off the left upright.

Anglers manager Ian MacDonald said his side paid dearly for their failings in front of goal.

He said: I'd say they had three good chances and took two while we must have had 15 or 16 and took just one. I thought we played really well, especially given the playing conditions but we just couldn't convert our chances.

United - Williamson, Sinclair, Davidson, MacDonald, Florence, Henderson, Sawyer, C. Sutherland (Munro 54), S. Sutherland, Mackay Steven (Ross h/t), Larnach (Budge 78). Subs (not used) - Murray and Traill.

Rovers - Rae, J. Calvert, Duncan, Skinner, Brennan, MacCallum, Callum, Gair, Dance, Farquhar, G. Calvert. Subs - Morrison, Gillen, Kinnaird, Keith and Rose.

Ref - Mr J, Nicolson.

report provided by Iain Grant

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