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

Highland Amateur Cup Round 2 - 30/05/09
Dounby, Orkney 0 - 2 Halkirk

Mikey celebrates with Gunny
picture provided by Rae Slater, Orkney

The troops assembled at Gills for their trip across the water to play Dounby. Despite an hour long delay in leaving, the boys were all in good spirits following their league win against Wick Rovers, as were the travelling supporters.

Nige had a strong squad to choose from with the only absentees being Sean, Gav B (through injury), Tarpot and Ducker (who was attending a wedding in the posh Cameron House, Loch Lomond and was hopefully behaving better than Greggsy and Wee Barry)!

Nige went with Pies, Brenda, Swandog, Crispy, Gunnie, Stevie C (captain), Bainer, Kitten, Mikey B, Charlie, Casper and; on the bench were Spike, Blocks, Butch and Muttley.

After a short warm up due to the late arrival, the boys kicked off in a ferocious wind that was going straight down the Dounby pitch. This never abated but slightly spoilt the game and made conditions very hard for both teams.

With the wind at our backs in the first half, the boys worked hard at trying to find their targets - although the wind was hampering them.

Chances were few and far between in the first half although Casper and Charlie carved out a couple of half chances.

Mikey B had an effort that on a normal day would've been on target but nearly landed in Scrabster with the wind!!

With Dounby struggling to make anything in the conditions, the Wildcats were camped in the hosts' half for the majority of the opening period.

Ten minutes before the break, Mikey hit a rocket from fully 35 yards out that smoked straight into the top left hand corner, leaving the impressive Dounby keeper at full stretch, grasping thin air and is now an early contender for goal of the season.

With confidence rising the boys settled down to play some good football before the break.

Casper celebrates with Gunny
picture provided by Rae Slater, Orkney

As goalkeeper Pies was redundant for the first half - manager, Nige alerted goalkeeping coach, Nastinho to put him through his paces and get used to the conditions during the half time break - while he and Sexy delivered the half time team talk.

The Wildcats started the second half very brightly with Bainer and Gunnie attacking down the flanks.

A great ball in from Bainer landed for Kitten but his effort was saved brilliantly by Dounby keeper, Poke.

The second goal, and clincher, came through good work down the right by Bainer with Charlie teeing up Casper who made no mistake rifling home from 10 yards off the underside of the bar.

With Mikey, Stevie C and Kitten dominating midfield, the Wildcats pressed on looking for more goals with Charlie looking hungry to get in on the act.

Dounby were trying to use the wind to their advantage with the long ball but the back three marshalled by Crispy dealt superbly with everything coming their way.

Nige began to use his subs with Blocks coming on for Kitten and Spike taking Gunnie's place.

The team continued to play well with Swandog and Brenda making forays into the Dounby half.

Bainer was continuing to be the 'stuff of nightmares' for the Dounby left side and was delivering some quality balls into the Dounby box.

Nige then made his final change with Casper coming off to make way for Muttley.

Dounby piled on the pressure for the final five minutes and Pies was called into action to make a superb save turning a shot heading for the bottom corner around the post.

It was all to no avail, as the whistle blew shortly after and the Wildcats progressed into the last sixteen.

It was a thoroughly satisfying team performance as we were away from home, playing in such windy conditions and the defence did superb in recording back to back clean sheets.

Good hospitality by Dounby was enjoyed by the squad and supporters as was the ensuing night in Kirkwall.

Onwards to the last sixteen.

Go Wildcats!

report provided by Niall (Nastinho) Manson

pictures provided by Rae Slater, Orkney

End-of-Document

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