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

SWL Cup Final - 24/04/10
Halkirk United 0 - 2 Muir of Ord

United came up short for the second time this season versus Muir in a North Caley cup final.

Goals either side of the interval by man-of-the-match Scott Morrison snuffed out the Anglers' hopes in a low-key contest at Sir Georges Park, Thurso.

The SWL Cup final was scheduled for the Saturday before Christmas with bad weather and then the knock-on fixture congestion having kept it in mothballs.

The game had an appropriately staid feel to it with neither side performing near their potential.

Halkirk were dealt a blow when key central midfielder Gavin Henderson was ruled out with a badly staved toe. They also missed striker Sandy Sutherland who was stranded in Tenerife after his scheduled return flight from holiday was delayed because of the airport logjam caused by the volcanic ash eruption.

Early morning heavy rain gave way to produce a decent day for the big day rematch between the sides following Muir's 2-1 success in the NCC Cup final in October.

The match became bogged down in an unresolved scrap for possession in midfield.

Muir learned lessons from their recent 5-2 defeat at home to United in the Football Times Cup semi when they were badly exposed out wide.

Morrison was deployed effectively to ensure Scott Mackay Steven did not again get the freedom of the right side of the park.

The first opening on three minutes fell to Graham MacDonald after he profited from an intelligent through-ball form Mackay Steven.

MacDonald's strike from the edge of the box packed punch but lacked the angle to seriously test keeper Robert Rose.

A quickly-taken free-kick from MacDonald then looked to have released Luke Sawyer on goal but he was stopped in his tracks by a marginal offside ruling.

Muir's first threat came on 15 minutes when Morrison's hanging, inswinging cross was parried to safety by United keeper Graeme Williamson, under severe pressure from several attackers.

Jimmy Budge headed just over at the other end as the game threatened to spark into life though never quite took light.

On 33 minutes, a floated cross from MacDonald was headed by Budge into the path of Sawyer who shot just over.

The opener two minutes from the break came right out of the blue.

Morrison gathered 40 yards out and surprised friend and foe with a marvellously executed lob. Williamson was eight yards from his goal and probably knew that he had been taken out of the equation as soon as the ball left Morrison's boot.

Rose ensured the goal would separate the teams at the interval when he got down low to stop a powerful effort from Sawyer after the latter had broken clear.

The Rovers keeper was again to the fore shortly after the turnaround when he gathered Budge's header from Sawyer's assist.

Muir's veteran defender Davie Brennan missed a golden opportunity on 50 minutes when he was unable to control an unopposed header from a corner.

United were enjoying plenty of possession but were struggling to make serious inroads on a resolute Rovers defence.

On 54 minutes, MacDonald and Scott Steven engineered a chance for Budge whose netbound shot was blocked by a defender.

A Colin Sinclair corner then set up Sawyer a couple of yards out but the ball came to him quickly through a ruck of players and he snatched his shot wide.

Muir went close on 59 minutes when Ewan Dance raced clear and saw his shot turned past off the legs of keeper Williamson.

The Ross-shire men grabbed their killer second on 69 minutes.

Dance again was the danger man as he outstripped Benn Murray and forged into the box where he was upended by Colin Davidson.

Morrison held his nerve to bury the spot-kick.

United had a few half-chances but there was no way back for them.

Afterwards, manager Ian MacDonald reflected on a sub-par performance by his squad.

'We didn't really turn up,' he beefed.
'It was very disappointing as Muir seemed to want it more than us, especially in the first half.'

MacDonald believed the delayed end to the season has badly affected his side.

'You could see that Muir are still training as a winter side whereas we looked as if we were in summer-time mode. We were off the pace and not as sharp as we usually are.'

United - Williamson, C. Sinclair, Murray, A. Sinclair, Davidson, MacDonald (Davis 73), Florence, Sawyer, Shearer (Munro 73), Budge, Mackay Steven. Sub (not used) - Sutherland.

Rovers - Rose, J. Calvert, Duncan, John Skinner, Brennan, James Skinner, Callum, Morrison, Gair, Dance, Farquhar. Subs -- G. Calvert, MacMillan, Keith and Geegan.

Ref - Mr G. John.

report provided by Iain Grant

photos provided by jamesgunn.co.uk

End-of-Document