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

League Division 1 - 20/07/09
Pentland United 1 - 2 Halkirk

Mikey

It's back to winning ways for the Wildcat's as we record a league victory at Ham Park for the second successive season.

After getting knocked out of the Highland Cup on a pretty turbulent Saturday, and with three call-offs to contend with, this was always going to be a difficult game but, the team responded superbly and produced one of our best performances of the season.

We were playing up the slope in the first half and after a slightly sluggish start, soon settled into the game.

Mikey was first to try his luck with an effort from distance but his right foot shot went a couple of yards wide and failed to trouble the keeper.

We continued to pass the ball well and soon took the lead.

Some good build up play found Mikey in space 25 yards out and he took a touch before firing a shot into the top corner of the net.

We were well on top at this stage and it wasn't long before the lead was doubled.

Charlie played a long diagonal ball from right to left, it looked as if the young defender was going to deal with it comfortably but he made a mess of the clearance. The loose ball fell nicely to Kitten and he picked his spot past the advancing keeper.

It was almost three soon afterwards when good play involving Gavin and Stevie C, saw Charlie glance a header just wide.

The home side's heads were down, only threatened with the occasional set-piece, while we continued to pass the ball around them and also enjoyed success from the strong running game of Bainer & Stevie C.

Brenda tried his luck with a long range free kick in the last action of the half but it went over the bar.

Half Time 0 - 2

Kitten

Despite being two goals up and looking comfortable, we knew that the game wasn't won and that the next goal would be vital.

We were slightly slow to get going after the re-start but once we got into our stride we again played some good football and looked the more dangerous team.

Gavin had a long range effort go wide and Charlie had a couple of shots that fizzed just passed the post.

It wasn't all one-way traffic and Stabs almost got back into the game just after the hour mark, when they broke down the left hand side - but, Blocks tracked back superbly and produced a tremendous last-gasp tackle to keep our advantage intact.

Bainer & Stevie were still running riot going down the slope and perhaps could've done with a little bit more protection from the ref as he chose to let play flow rather than penalise the home side for the fouls they were committing.

Then, just when the win was looking safe and we were comfortable, we let them back into the game with fifteen minutes to go - as they capitalised on what was pretty much our first mistake of the match.

Duck mis-timed his jump for a header, the loose ball caught Brenda slightly off guard and on the wrong side of the attacker. He tried his best to get back but could only give away a penalty that they scored from.

This meant the closing stages of the game were a lot more nervy than they should've been. Although, they could've been more comfortable, if we had been awarded a penalty when Charlie was taken out in the box but his appeals were waved away.

The defence held firm and saw out the rest of the game to claim a crucial three points.

A tremendous all-round team performance, not one failure in a red & black shirt and Blocks & Gunny in particular stood out.

The work-rate and commitment was there for all to see, in a performance similar to the victory over Swifts, last week - although we played some much better football.

We need to build on this now, hopefully win the remainder of our league games and go on a run in the David Allan Shield.

Go Wildcat's!!

report provided by Liam Bremner

End-of-Document

ARTICLE COMMENT/VIEWS:-
If you would like to pass on your comments or views on this article/section - CLICK HERE to enter details in the YAPUS Forum and choose the suitable section.