Date:- 04/07/2008
Time:- 00:47:50
Time:- 00:47:50
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 HFC Leagues, Results & Reports - Season 2005
ALL reports are being compiled by Liam Bremner.
Steven Cup - 08/08/05 Workshops drew first blood with a goal from Terry Shearer in a high tempo move but with Halkirk having most of the possession, Luke Sawyer passed up a great chance to get eBiGH back into the game. Young Shane Sutherland managed to level the game, right after the break, with a sweeping move and good ball control, giving the home side a chance of victory. Halkirk then had a couple of defensive mix ups which allowed the Workshops to pull away and progress to the next round of the trophy. League Division 2 - 04/08/05 That is the end of the season (league) and unfortunately not a place in the top table for another year. But, yet again, there were a lot of good performances from the young lads and with such a young team, things can only improve and keep pushing the other teams to their limit. Goalscorers:-
League Division 2 - 21/07/05 With two games to go, Halkirk will be looking for Thurso Pentland to slip up after losing out by one goal to nil, tonight - in a tough game that could've gone in any direction. Good saves by the Pentland keeper and a steady defence denied Halkirk any chance of gaining a well deserved draw.
League Division 2 - 19/07/05 The Wildcat's finish their home league campaign with a comprehensive victory and another three points. Realising this was a crucial, must-win game, the start to the match was very positive by the home team and after missing a few early chances, we took the lead with a great goal. Andy Bain went on a run and skipped past two defenders before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box which arrowed into the bottom corner. It was soon two, with that man Bain involved again. He played a through ball to his young namesake Russell, who showed excellent composure to round the keeper and then a defender before tapping the ball into the unguarded net from a yard out. We then got a little sloppy and some risky play at the back allowed the visitors a couple of half chances to get back into the game before Poop pulled off a great one on one save to deny Thistle a lifeline. The game was soon over as a contest though when a ball was played back to Duck 25 yards from goal and his clever effort was only parried by the keeper and rebounded to Gunny, who showed a cool head to bury a left shoot into the bottom corner. This really deflated the Thurso team and from then on it was a question of how many we would score. The advantage was stretched to four when a shot from Russell was deflected across the face of the goal and Duck opened his account for the season with a tremendous strike from about 12 inches! He could've had a chance to double his tally right on half time when a Crispy free kick released Russell down the inside left and he went past the keepers challenge and looked up to see Duck and Gunny waiting for a tap-in inside the six yard box. Russell ignored both though and found the net himself from a ridiculous angle to get his second of the night. Half Time 5 - 0 With the game over by the interval, the second half was a bit of a non-event in a footballing sense as we started to try and beat an extra man or went for the harder pass rather than keep doing the simple things. We did get on the scoresheet on a further two occasions though. Russell showed good determination on the halfway line and played in Spike who went past the defender and beat the keeper with a bullet shot into the top corner. The scoring was then completed by Luke, who had arrived due to work commitments but still found time to win and convert a penalty. A great way to finish our home fixtures in the league and a well deserved win which sets us up nicely for the crucial match against Thurso Pentlands at the Dammies on Thursday night. This match has all the makings of a winner-take-all promotion decider. Hopefully we should have pretty much a full squad and a strong travelling support as we go to maintain our promotion push. Go Wildcat's!! League Division 2 - 13/07/05 Another three points to keep Halkirk well in the promotion hunt. A couple of changes from the great win over the Swifts with work commitments ruling out Blocksy and Luke. We started positively and came close on a couple of occasions and it looked like it was going to be a question of how big a margin would we win by. But we couldn't break through against a stuffy Keiss back line and gradually our performance level started to drop as we stopped trying to play the game the simple way and were eventually fortunate to go in level at the break, as the visitors rattled the bar from a free kick five minutes before the interval. Half Time 0 - 0. Some strong words at half time from the manager led to a positive start from the home side and it wasn't long before we took the lead. Good work down the right by Spike and Duck released Russell into the box, but his run was halted by a foul and the ref had no option but to point to the spot. Tarpot stayed cool to tuck away the pen. This gave us a boost and we started to really dominate the possession although we were still poor with our distribution and wasteful in front of the goal. We did double our advantage, though when a free kick from crispy found its way through to Spike, who was unmarked at the back post and he took his time to dispatch an excellent finish past the keeper. The visitors heads then dropped and it was then a question of how many we could get but again we were not clinical enough in front of goal and their keeper pulled of a few fine saves, most notably denying Justy a couple of long rangers and saving from Gunny who thought he was going to get on the scoresheet after a run from halfway inside his own half. We finally got a third a couple of minutes from the end. A wonderful defence splitting pass from Andy Bain released Tarpot and he kept his composure to score when one-on-one with the goalie. A distinctly average performance, but at the end of the day, three points is all that is required at this stage of the season. We just have to keep on winning our matches and accumulate as many points as possible and then let the rest worry about catching us. Go Wildcat's!! League Division 2 - 06/07/05 A great three points for the Wildcat's to avenge our defeat earlier in the season and also keep us right in the thick of the promotion mix-up. Nige was unable to keep the starting 11 that performed so well in Dunnet as Spike was suffering from a knock picked up in that match, so the returning Tarpot came straight back into the side. We were well up for this contest and had the ball in the home sides net inside the first five minutes. A corner caused confusion in the six yard box and the loose ball fell to 'Smik' who bulleted the ball in form 10 yards. The goal was unbelievably chalked off though as the lino had his flag up for offside even though there were two defenders on the line. We didn't let this affect us, kept our heads up and had the better of the first half, restricting the home team to mainly half chances. They did get through once but Poop showed great determination to get back and thwart an attacker just as it seemed he was going to tap the ball into an unguarded net. Half Time 0 - 0. A positive team talk at the break, as we were playing so well it kept the team confident and this showed as the second half continued. The only real difference was that we were even more on top. We started to create chances though and Tarpot was unlucky on a couple of occasions, Andy Bain also went close. We kept the pressure on and were threatening from all over the pitch with young Shane giving them a torrid time on our left. It was getting to the stage where it didn't look like we would be able to capitalise on our possession and good play as we reached the final 10 minutes. But then it all changed as we finally made the breakthrough. Blocks did well on the right but appeared to do much and hold onto the ball too long, but he showed great strength and determination to swing over a great cross to the back post which was met by Luke, who was up like a salmon to bury a header into the bottom corner. We then saw the remainder of the game out without to much trouble as the home team failed to create any real chances. A great, well deserved win for the Wildcat's that puts us on top of the league, although we have played more games than the chasing pack. We have the points in the bag though and our rivals still have to play each other. Two great performances in a week will really give us a huge boost going into the closing stages of the season. Go Wildcat's!!
David Allan Shield QF - 04/07/05 The Wildcat's played their first competitive match in Dunnet for a few years against a Stab team fresh from their weekend success in Maca's cup. With the hosts a bit heavy-legged after their weekend exertions, they never really put us under much pressure in the first 45, although they did take the lead at the midway point of the half. We never panicked after falling behind, had plenty possession and created a couple of half-chances with Shane, Luke and Spike showing up well. Half Time 1 - 0. Realising we were in with a great chance of a cup shock, we made a positive start to the second half and were soon back on level terms. Gunny kept his cool when played through by a sweet Blocksy pass to slip the ball under the goalie. We then almost snatched the lead when Steven Campbell left three defenders in his wake but was denied by a last-gasp tackle. We were then almost punished, as the home team were awarded a penalty after a foul by Crispy, but Poop made an excellent save to keep the tie level. A few more half chances for Gunny, Spike and Blocksy followed but the 90 minutes finished level. Full Time 1 - 1. Extra Time Unsurprisingly, the home team upped their workrate in the extra periods and the Wildcat's came under a lot of territorial pressure, although, there wasn't really a lot of clear cut chances created. They did hit the bar in the last minute from a long-range free kick. Full Time 1 - 1 Penalties Unfortunately, the experience of the county champions told as they sent forward PK takers who have been over the course several times before and they converted all their efforts while we had one saved and one struck the woodwork so therefore we got knocked out of the cup. A great team performance from the guys in Red and Black and a game from which we can take a lot of positives from. If we can keep this attitude in the remainder of our matches in the league, starting with the Swifts on Wednesday, we will not be far away. Go Wildcat's!!
League Division 2 - 16/06/05 The Wildcat's get back to winning ways with a convincing win against FSC that made us realise just how poor a performance we produced against this lot in Wick. We were again missing a few regulars, but this didn't affect us and we should have made double figures. We started positively and it wasn't long before we had the lead - Blocksy's corner headed home by Steven Campbell. The lead didn't last long though as FSC scored with their first and only attack of the game soon after. A free-kick into our box caused confusion and the ball ended up in the net via Mike's head. We were stung a bit by the goal but we upped our game and went in at the break with a three goal advantage. After beating three men with a run from halfway, Luke was hacked down inside the box and Blocksy tucked away the pen. We scored immediately from the kick-off as Steven skinned two or three before setting up Luke for a tap-in. It was four before long as Luke got on the score sheet again with another poachers finish. Half Time 4-1. We started the second half the way we finished the first and were very impressive with our use of the ball and movement from all areas of the pitch. A new midfield playmaker in particular was catching the eye! His tackle led to a loose ball breaking to Steven Campbell and he again waltzed two or three opposing defenders before despatching the ball into the bottom corner to make it 5. This was the end of the scoring but not the end of the good play as we continued our high performance level and really should have scored more. Overall, a really good performance from everyone in Red and Black although the Keeper and defence never saw a great deal of action. A special mention to young Shane who made his first start for the team and also young Liam Mutt who came off the bench for the last 15 and was unlucky not to score. We have to keep this level of performance going for the rest of the season and hopefully we can look forward to having a bit more options on the player front for the upcoming games. Go Wildcat's!!
League Division 2 - 10/06/05 Two more dropped points for the Wildcat's in our quest for promotion. Once again we were short in numbers, with several key players missing. We made a poor start, conceding a goal inside the first five minutes. This led to a change in formation, though and went on to dominate the rest of the first period. We started to knock the ball about well and created some great chances. However, we were only able to convert one of these though, Gunny leapt like a salmon to bury a header from Blocksy's corner. Although we continued to have the better of the contest, we went in all square at the break. Half Time 1-1. We started the second half much the same way as we ended the first but then disaster struck and we were hit by a quickfire double. Their second goal was the result of a real howler in defence and they stretched their lead further with a shot into the postage stamp. It got worse for us as we then lost the influential Andy Bain with a broken nose after an accidental clash. We kept plugging away though and Nige made a couple of substitutions, one of which would prove decisive. Almost immediately after coming on Young Shane got himself into space at the back post and easily nodded in Gunny's cross. The goal gave us a lift and we kept the pressure on and this paid of as we grabbed an equaliser. The hard-working Tarpot showed great determination to get to a cross from Blocksy first and his looping header found the back of the net. We kept pushing for a winner but we ran out of time and the game finished level. Overall, mixed feelings about the result. It was a game we should have won, but poor finishing and defensive mistakes cost us and in the end we have to be pleased that we showed enough fight and battling qualities to come back from two goals down to grab a point. This result has left us with no room for error now as we continue to try for promotion. Go Wildcat's!!
Eoin Mackintosh Rnd 1 - 01/06/05 The Wildcat's got knocked out of Maca's cup at the first hurdle but can consider themselves very hard done by as they played Lybster off the park. Missing two or three regulars and once again in terrible conditions it was looking like it could've been a long night. We started quite brightly though, and with the pitch in pretty good condition, we passed the ball about well and were soon on top. Tarpot missed a couple of chances to give us the lead before the home side took the lead with their first attack of the game midway through the half - a bit of pinball in the box ended with a 'sclaffed' effort beating Gunny on the line. Half time 1 - 0. We played the second half into the wind but this seemed to help our football even more as we passed it short from defence, worked one-two's up the park and continually tore the home side apart. We never really made any clear cut chances though until the last 10 minutes and Russell was unlucky to see his effort go just wide of the post. The ref did get our hopes up by pointing to the spot at one point but he then changed his mind and gave a goal kick to Lybster (quite rightly so, though). For all our possession and good build up play we just couldn't get the break of the ball in front of goal and our involvement in the cup ended for another season. A really positive performance from the red & blacks and a much improved display from our last game. Hopefully, we can continue to play football like we did on Wednesday and won't be far away from promotion. Go Wildcat's!!
League Division 2 - 30/05/05 Another three points for the Wildcat's with a few goals thrown in but it was a struggle for a while in the first 45. After a tough game on Saturday in difficult conditions and a few first choice players missing it wasn't going to be a walkover but we were very slow in getting going. We did take the lead though when Gunny rose to flick home a Blocksy free kick. We soon found ourselves behind though, when a defensive mix-up let them equalise and a speculative long range effort found the top corner. It was level pegging at the break though as Blocksy calmly converted a spot-kick after Gunny was brought down. Half Time 2 - 2 After realising at half time that we had to raise our efforts we soon had a goal and a man advantage. A clever quick free kick from Charlie set Gunny away and in a carbon copy of the second goal, he was brought down and Blocksy tucked the pen away. The foul on Gunny led to the culprit being sent off for his second yellow after what must have been his 7th bad challenge in the match. After scoring an action replay of the second goal, we then did the same with the first, Blocksy's in-swinging corner headed home by Gunny for 4 - 2. John Tarpot then made it five when he lashed home a loose ball after a corner and then Tarpot made it six when he was left with a tap-in after great work by Luke. Luke himself almost made it seven, but his shot went just wide and young Shane hit the upright with a great effort from the edge of the box. No more scoring though and a 6-2 win for the Red & Blacks. A comfortable win in the end, although we did make hard work of it in the first half. Another three points though as we head into a ten day break in the league. Go Wildcat's!!
HA Cup Rnd 3 - 28/05/05 The Wildcat's Highland Cup campaign came to an end with a home defeat against their visitors from Shetland. An absolutely terrible day with wind, rain and even hailstones meant that it was not a day for silky soccer and not a day for a big crowd. We got off to the worst possible start, when some slack play in our own 18 yard box presented our opponents with a chance and they scored with their first kick at goal. Things soon got worse as Darren gave away a penalty, but Poop kept the scoreline the same with a fantastic double save. We eventually settled down a bit and started to get on top although we never really created any clear-cut chances and they were always dangerous on the break. Half Time 0 - 1 We came out for the second half playing into the wind that was on our backs in the first period and we knew we were going to struggle to get back on level terms. Our task was made all the harder just after the hour mark when they scored again to make it 0-2. We kept on trying for the rest of the game, but if it wasn't for Poop making some tremendous saves, it could have been 5 or 6. Overall, a spirited performance from us but we came up a little bit short against a good footballing side, who we hope progress further in the tournament. A great performance from our goalie, with his best save preventing an OG from Spike! Time to concentrate on the league again! Go Wildcat's!!
League Division 2 - 25/05/05 The Wildcat's return to winning ways and claim three points from a bit of a goal fest. We made a lacklustre start to the game and although Spike converted an early penalty that he himself had earned, it was 1-1after half an hour and we were struggling to shake off TJ's, with Poop called into action to make one outstanding save. We did raise the tempo and increase our performance level though and a header from Gunny and a thunderbolt from Steven Campbell made it 3-1 at the break. Half Time 3 - 1 TJ's netted a quickfire counter after the break to tighten things up but the goal only served to fire us up and we went on to play some good football and score some good goals. Spike made it 4, powering home a rebound after Darren's header hit the bar. Blocksy ignored an easy pass to Charlie, but remained cool to chip the keeper and make it 5. Charlie did get on the scoresheet when he converted a rebound. Russell Bain came off the bench to in and score a penalty kick and Charlie rounded off the scoring with another excellent finish. Although we were slow to get going it was a convincing win in the end and good to get back to winning ways. We still have to start playing more football, especially with the pitch starting to look really well and a benefit to a passing game. Set's us up nicely though for what is going to be a massive game on Saturday in the HA Cup against Whalsay, who are making the long trip down from Shetland. Go Wildcat's!!
League Division 2 - 17/05/05 An absolute nightmare performance from everybody. We missed a hatful of chances, lost bad goals and everyone had a shocker! Nowhere near good enough - I am saying no more!!
HA Cup 2 - 14/05/05 A great win for the Wildcat's as we cause one of the upset's of the second round by knocking out our first division opponents. We took the lead with almost our first attack, a bit of penalty box pinball finished with the ball at Gunny's feet and he stayed calm to claim another goal. This prompted some pressure from the home team, but they only really threatened once in the first half and were superbly denied by Poop with one of the saves of the season. If anything, we should have increased our lead as we created the better chances but there was no further scoring. Half Time 0 - 1 The second half proved to be a battling performance from the visiting team as they struggled to get out their own half at times. For all the pressure, though, Groats only really threatened from set-pieces and never created a clear cut chance in the second half. In fact, with the defence looking quite solid, we should maybe have increased our lead further to make it a more comfortable finale to the tie but we held on and were worthy winners. A great win down in Wick in a game we weren't expected to win. A good battling performance from everyone and we thoroughly deserved to progress to the next round. Open draw now so a home tie would be good. Go Wildcat's!!
League Division 2 - 11/05/05 The Wildcat's tasted defeat for the first time this season in a controversial match against one of our main promotion rivals. A good night weather-wise, together with the fact that there wasn't much on in Thurso meant that there was sizeable crowd at the Recreation Park and they were treated to a bit of a rip roaring contest. The visitors started well and we struggled to contain their passing game for a while as they had an extra man in the middle of the park. It was no real surprise when they took the lead midway through the first half. We did get back into it after that though with the rest of the first period more even, although it did start to get a bit tasty with several challenges flying in and the referee showing one or two signs of losing control. Half Time 0 - 1. We made a bright start to the second 45 and almost got back on level terms immediately. Ex-Junior Wildcat Murray Mackay expertly saving Spike's shot from point-blank range. This was the start of some continuous pressure from us and although the away team were dangerous on the break, it was only a matter of time before we scored. The equaliser duly came along when Andy Bain released the hard working Luke and he expertly despatched the chance to get a deserved goal for himself and the team. There was still ten minutes left after the equaliser, and the game was ours to win. Unfortunately, we were hit with the proverbial sucker punch when the Swifts hit us on the counter attack and Des Macleod kept cool to score a wonderful winning goal. The action wasn't done though and we missed a couple of good chances to get level and also had a stonewall penalty turned down. There was to be no more scoring though and the game ended in defeat for the Red & Black's. Overall, a good performance although we must be disappointed with our failure to pass the ball about as well as our opponents. We were very unlucky to lose though, and on this performance the Swifts must be favourites for promotion. There was a disappointing end to the night though as Charlie was red carded after the final whistle for taking his protests over the penalty too far. Go Wildcat's!!
League Division 2 - 09/05/05 Another three points for the Wildcat's but in truth, a far from convincing performance. Not a great night for soccer, cold and showery and even a hailstorm just prior to kick off. We were very slow in getting going and didn't seem to find our rhythm for the first 20. There was no real width to the team and were getting bogged down by trying to play through the middle. We did start to get on top and struck two quickfire goals midway through the half. A speculative long range effort from Justy was helped on its way over the line by the home keeper. Almost immediately we doubled the lead. Good work by Luke led to a cross that caused havoc in the area and Smik buried a shot from all of 6 inches! After the second goal there then followed a good 10 minute period when we started to pass the ball about but unfortunately we then decided the game was won and started to try the hard ball or try and beat an extra man. Our work-rate dropped and finished the first period the poorer team with our advantage reduced. The ref awarded a PK after a rash challenge by Smik. Not only did Poop save the spot kick, he then saved the rebound only for him to be beaten by the further rebound. The raging goalie was quite entitled to ask where his support was, although most of it was stood at the edge of the box watching him make the saves. Half Time 1 - 2 After a half time 'rollicking' from the boss, the second half display had to improve, and to be fair it did. We were on top from the first whistle but the result was still in doubt until we got a third. It took it's time in coming, but it eventually did. Spike got in front of the keeper to flick Smik's cross into the unguarded net. This knocked the stuffing out of the home side and it was then a question of turning our possession into goals. We added two more before full time, Luke got a well deserved goal to make it 4 and then the hard working Tarpot made it 5. That was the end of the scoring, although Lockie tried his hardest, with what seemed like about 10 shots in the second half alone! Overall, a good three points but not the best of performances, especially in the first 45. We will have to improve with the Swifts coming to Recreation Park for a top of the table clash in our next fixture. Positives can be taken though from the second half, Luke's contribution and also the performance of Young Sexy when he came of the bench for the last 15. Go Wildcat's!!
League Division 2 - 03/05/05 The Wildcat's dropped their first points of the season after letting the Pentlands back into a game that should have been over, at half time
It was a very unsettled start for the home team, not helped by
the fact that we've lost Captain Crispy for a few weeks and his presence was
missed at the back. A lead that maybe slightly flattered us was cut in half in injury time of the first period. A free kick was defended poorly and Poop was beaten by a looping header. Half Time 2 - 1. The visitors got back on level terms almost straight after the break, when they were awarded what seemed a soft penalty kick. This gave them a boost and they were on top for the next 5 or 10 minutes but we eventually got back into it and were the better team for the remainder of the game. We created several gilt-edged chances but couldn't convert one and the away keeper was living a charmed life for a while. The game finished level, with the Pentlands maybe thinking that they were worthy of their point.
After a shaky start, this was a good performance again from the
Red and Blacks and on another night we could've scored 5 or 6. Go Wildcats.....
League Division 2 - 29/04/05
HA Cup - 23/04/05 Halkirk endured a long journey to Loch Inver but managed to get off to a good start thanks to an own goal, after some heavy pressure. Lee Elder and Spike scored a goal a piece either side of the break to settle the villagers' nerves but it was quickly brought back to two of a difference, after a needless tackle by the Halkirk goalkeeper. Newbeeeee, goal striker Alan Young stretched in, in a goal mouth scramble to finally finish off the west team and secure a trip to Wick, in the round of the cup. A satisfactory performance for 'eBiGH on a difficult pitch and surroundings but things will have to be tighter against first division side, Wick Groats. Go Wildcats.....
League Division 2 - 18/04/05 Another three points for the Wildcats's as they follow up last weeks 5-1 victory with the same scoreline against a team touted as being one of their main promotion rivals. A terrible night for football, with a strong, cold wind blowing had the home side thinking they could be in for a tricky evening but this was definitely not the case. Playing into the wind for the first 45 did not prove difficult as we went into the break with a 2 goal advantage. Steven Campbell got the first after a great run down the left wing by Charlie. Spike soon doubled the lead with a great finish into the bottom corner. We started the second period with the same tempo and continued playing some good stuff and Charlie got a well deserved goal when he latched onto a defensive mistake to round the keeper and make it three. He then got his second when he superbly chipped the keeper from out wide (not sure if it was actually a cross though!). Workshops did get one back though and they were on top for the final 10 minutes but Luke ensured the night ended on a bright spot as he expertly lobbed the keeper from 35 yards to score the goal of the night. A great three points against one of the main promotion contenders in difficult conditions has set us up nicely for the Highland Cup on Saturday and has instilled plenty of confidence into the side for the league campaign. Go Wildcat's!!
League Division 2 - 13/04/05 The Wildcat's open their league campaign with three points after a convincing win against Mid County. With the rain coming down and the pitch a bit sticky, this might have proved to be a bit of a banana skin for us but although the goals were slow in coming, the result was never in any doubt. Playing up the slope in Watten, the visitors played some nice stuff and were cutting the home defence open at will but couldn't convert any of the numerous created chances until Luke kept cool and gave us the lead around the half hour mark. It was the same story for the rest of the first half, although some sloppiness at the back gave County a few chances that kept them believing they could do something. In fact, early in the second half they drew level after more slack play from the defence. They didn't remain on level terms for long though as Charlie restored our lead and was very unlucky with a left foot thunderbolt which came back of the post. Gunny's brace made it four, allowing the manager to introduce young sub's Lockie and Duck to give them a run out. The scoring was complete when Charlie got his second after good work from Crispy. Overall, a good win to start the season and important to start with three points. We will have to learn to be more clinical in front of goal when we come up against the bigger teams though. Go Wildcat's!!
Rural League - 11/04/05 New signing Michael Wilson scored the only goal for the Halkirk side against his home town but Castletown just edged it with three untidy goals. Go Wildcats!!
Rural League - 04/04/05 A narrow defeat for the Wildcat's against the Stabbies in what was the closest we have come to getting something against them for a couple of years. The opening period of the first half was mainly played in our half, due to the fact that we were a bit unsettled after a change of tactics by the manager. We plugged away and started to get into the game more and more. The contest was even and we started to make M Gray work a little, when they scored from a breakaway after defending a corner kick. Stabs counter attacked at pace and the ball found its way to Mark Nichol who tried to go round Poop. Although it looked like Poop got a nick on the ball. the striker kicked his arm and fell over and the referee (who was some distance away) pointed to the spot. Nichol took the penalty and scuffed it. Poop dived to his right to make the save, but the ball bobbled on the uneven surface and bounced into the net - jammy b*ggers! Heartened by a good first half display, the wildcat's more than held their own in the second half and were probably the better side for a 20 minute spell. Our possession was rewarded when Spike, who had earlier missed a great chance, showed more composure and stayed calm to beat M Gray at his far post with a neat finish. Within 5 minutes though, the hard work was undone and we fell behind again. It came from a set piece, which they had threatened from the whole game. After a bit of a scramble and penalty box pinball the ball fell to Nichol in the six yard box and he buried to regain the Stabbies advantage. We came back again, though and put them under more pressure but their defence coped quite well with our efforts and they held on for victory. A morale boosting performance against PU. Although it was obviously not their strongest 11, they still had a good side out and we can take confidence from the fact that we ran them so close. Special mention to Poop who had a bit of a personal duel with Mark Nichol and must have denied the striker with great saves on at least 4 or 5 occasions. Go Wildcat's!!
Rural League - 31/03/05 The rural season got of to a reasonable start with this home defeat against a promising John O'Groats side. The squad was almost at full strength with only Blackjock and Steven Campbell missing. New faces in the line up included Ian Smith (Smick), Mike Wilson and the returning Andy Bain, Charlie and Justin Marshall. A pretty uneventful first half was mainly played out in the middle of the park, with the best chances falling to the visitors. The one really good chance for the Wildcat's unfortunately fell to Blocksy's left foot and finished well wide. The second half was still even but a slightly better display from the lads in red and black. We were more of a threat going forward and played some nice stuff on a pitch that was a bit too bumpy to suit a passing game. The only goal of the game, however, came for the away side midway through the half. A lack of communication while defending cost us as three players all tried to win the same header and were beaten to the flick-on by a JOG player and this left their young substitute striker to lob the ball over the onrushing Poop. Although we had decent possession, we never really threatened Shaun Henderson in the visiting goal and the match finished in a one nil defeat. Not a bad performance for the first match of the season. We will need to look to be a bit more creative going forward and maybe more clinical if we do get a chance at goal, but quite promising overall. Go Wildcat's!! Juniors Trip to Ross County - 05/03/05 A squad of young and hardy future stars from Halkirk Junior Football Club, ranging from Under 7 to Under 13, enjoyed an excellent journey down the A9, on March 5th - for an eye opening view of life in the Scottish First Division, accompanied by their senior coaches, courtesy of Ross County FC. Included in their visit was a tour of the impressive facilities, a 1 1/2 hour training session and entry to watch the clubs home league match versus Raith Rovers, where they managed to win 2-0. Finally, Ross County presented ALL the travelling youngsters with keyrings as a memento of their trip and Halkirk Juniors received a signed match ball. Local Engineering Contractor - Orion D Gow, generously sponsored the bus, which the club greatly appreciated.
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