Halkirk United FC - Reports, Results & Photos - Season 2011-2012

North Caley League - 26/11/11
Halkirk United 2 - 2 Golspie

An equaliser deep into injury-time salvaged a point for the Sutherland men after a riveting tussle at Recreation Park.

Shane Sutherland's hammer-blow dashed the Anglers' bid to extend their winning sequence to 10 and stretch their lead at the top of the North Caley League to six points.

Saturday's match, while fiercely contested, lacked the rancour which marred United's recent North Caledonian Cup final victory over Golspie.

Two first half penalties converted by Chris Sutherland had overhauled Michael Sanderson's early strike for the visitors.

Golspie bossed the third quarter but then rode their luck several times before delivering the late sting.

They shocked their hosts when they drew ahead with their first foray after seven minutes.

Nifty footwork by Iain Fyfe down the right flank ended with his lofted cross being palmed out by Graeme Williamson.

Unfortunately for the keeper, it fell perfectly for Sanderson and he blasted the ball high just inside the right upright.

Halkirk were behind for all of three minutes by when Sutherland had tidily dispatched his first spot-kick.

The award came after Gavin Henderson's feed exploited a yawning gap in the Golspie rearguard and Alan Larnach's breenge into the box resulted in him being balked after he stepped past keeper Grant Robertson.

The keeper was booked before being wrongfooted from the setpiece.

Shortly afterwards, a carbon-copy attack had Larnach again romping through the unguarded inside-left channel, this time released by Nigel MacKenzie.

His stinging shot produced an athletic tip-past from Robertson.

Fyfe and Blair Duncan pinged decent efforts just past at the other end.

Henderson then almost provided the finish to a slick link-up between MacKenzie and Martin Banks.

The Anglers had a major let-off on 25 minutes when Shaun Kerr was sent clear but was unable to find a way past Williamson.

Neither side was able to claim a clear edge as the chances continued thick and fast.

A bizarre sequence involved Sutherland's attempt to lob Robertson seeing the keeper make up the ground to field the under-strength effort.

United went in front 10 minutes from the interval when Jordan Sutherland's needless challenge on Chris Sutherland near the bye-line was penalised to allow the latter to net his second of the day.

With Fyfe and Shane Sutherland prominent, Golspie took a firm grip after the turnaround.

A bright spell saw United defender Colin Sinclair survive a strong handball appeal in his penalty box while Williamson was forced into full-length smother saves to deny Shane Sutherland and Fyfe.

United forced their way back with long-range efforts from Chris Sutherland and Henderson just missing the target.

Robertson's fingertips then prevented MacKenzie's cross-cum shot from wide out on the left looping behind him.

Jack Halliday, United's best performer on the day, was inches away from the goal his display deserved when he just could not reach Chris Sutherland's tantalising crosson 76 minutes.

Colin Sinclair's saving back-header in the last minute to thwart Tommy Campbell converting Aaron Smith's centre looked to have sealed the deal for the Anglers.

But in the third minute of stoppage-time, they were undone when Shane Sutherland was afforded the space to work his way in from the left flank and find the gap between Williamson and his near post.

The late leveller was hard to thole for the home camp though manager Jock Mackay believed his side only have themselves to blame.

He said: 'It's disappointing, of course, that we didn't get the win but I felt we got a bit complacent.

'We tried to see the game out and we paid the penalty.'

'It was overall a pretty even game and it was galling to lose the goal so late on but you probably couldn't grudge them a draw.'

Halkirk United - Williamson, C. Sinclair, Florence, A. Sinclair, Davidson, Henderson, Larnach (MacNab 65), Halliday, Sutherland, MacKenzie, Banks (Cook 85). Subs (unused) - Bremner and G. Sinclair.

Golspie Sutherland - Robertson, J. Sutherland, Duncan, A. Christie, Maclean, Fyfe (D. Christie 75), Smith, Campbell, Kerr, Sanderson (Morrison 86). S. Sutherland. Subs (unused) - Stone and Black.

Ref - Mr G. John.

report provided by Iain Grant

photos provided by Niall Manson

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