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

North Caley League - 24/09/11
Halkirk United 4 - 0 Thurso

Thurso were left floundering on Saturday as the Anglers reeled in their third successive North Caley League victory over their Caithness rivals.

Neutrals and partisans alike were surprised by the yawning margin which separated the sides after Saturday's tussle at Recreation Park.

It was shaping up to be the expected close-run affair until the start of the second third when the home side netted three times in four minutes.

That effectively settled the contest and Nigel MacKenzie's second after the interval against his former side merely rubbed salt in the wounds.

Even a penalty award failed to end Thurso's remarkable goal drought as ex-Angler Lee Elder skied the chance to give his side what would admittedly have been scant solace.

The miss allowed United to emerge with their goal intact after they had shipped 11 in their first three NCL outings.

Their starting line-up showed just one change from their previous week's cup win over Balintore, with Alan Larnach coming in for the injured Chris Sutherland.

Injuries and tactical changes saw just five of the Vikings X1 remain from their defeat in Golspie.

Little of note could be discerned from the opening exchanges though Thurso settled first and were ahead in the possession stakes.

Centre-half John Smith had a netbound header from a corner deflected behind while Liam Bremner and newcomer Martin Banks were foraging to good effect as the striking spearhead.

The visitors had a golden opportunity to forge in front in 14 minutes when Liam Bremner darted down the right flank and pulled the back for the inrushing Andy Cumming.

The PE student could do with a lesson in finishing as he dragged his first-time shot wide from just outside the six yard box.

Soon after, there was the first moment of danger in the opposite box when a pinpoint delivery from MacKenzie was headed wide by Larnach.

Vikings keeper Asa Sinclair then had to dive headlong to fist clear a driven cross from Grant MacNab.

Gavin Henderson's follow-up strike at goal was blocked by Smith.

Predictions of a nip-and-tuck affair were blown out of the water as United raced into a three goal lead.

On the half-hour mark, MacKenzie broke down the right wing and exchanged passes with MacNab before powering a shot past Sinclair.

Two minutes later, a stray pass from Smith sparked a counter which left MacNab bearing in on goal.

The Wick-based frontman drew the keeper from his goal before neatly tucking the ball behind him.

Thurso's collective chagrin at their sudden reversal of fortunes had barely set in when they were dealt a further hammer-blow.

This time, Martin Bain strong-armed his way past Sean Stewart on the left flank and cut in on an unchallenged run before finessing an angled finish across Sinclair into the far corner of the net.

Jamie MacKenzie's verbal outburst, more out of frustration than reason, earned him a caution.

A Michael Petrie header at the other end, which flashed just over, briefly interrupted a sustained onslaught on Sinclair's goal.

The keeper was happy MacNab's shot from premium position on the edge of the penalty box lacked power.

Five minutes from the break, Sinclair did exceedingly well to make a body-block from a vicious Bain strike after the United man again wriggled his way past Stewart.

Henderson then muffed a close-in header when left unmarked at a corner.

United were exploiting a dislocation between the opposition midfield and defence and by now looked good value to score more.

The last chance of the half fell to the Vikings when Liam Bremner was inches away from netting Cumming's deep, inswinging cross.

Thurso continued to see plenty of the ball after the interval while creating precious little threat at the business end.

United's victory was embellished in 57 minutes when Nigel MacKenzie's crack from the edge of the penalty box arrowed past Sinclair to lodge in the far corner of the net.

Young Thurso sub Ryan Begg came as close as any of his team-mates to getting a goal back soon after coming on with a shot which forced keeper Graham Williamson into his one and only save of the match.

After Henderson then went close with a header, the Vikings were awarded a penalty when Colin Sinclair was adjudged to have balked Smith in the box on 83 minutes.

Elder confidently stepped up but his spot-kick soared several feet over the bar.

Halkirk United - Williamson, C. Sinclair ( Howden 85), Florence, A. Sinclair, Davidson, Henderson (Halliday 78), Bain, Bremner, Larnach, MacNab (Mackay 74), MacKenzie. Sub (unused) - Cook.

Thurso - Sinclair, Sutherland, Stewart (A. Bremner 58), Smith, Shearer, Petrie (62), Cumming, MacKenzie, L. Bremner (Morris 63), Banks, Elder. Sub (unused) - Wann.

Ref - Mr G. John.

report provided by Iain Grant

photos provided by jamesgunn.co.uk

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