Halkirk United FC - Reports, Results & Photos - Season 2008-2009

League - 30/08/08
Halkirk United 2 - 2 Muir of Ord Rovers

Luke Sawyer (photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

A late equaliser by sub Scott Milligan protected Rovers' unbeaten record against their hosts and earned them their first point of the MSIS North Caledonian season.

Halkirk hit back after conceding a traumatic opener in the first minute to forge in front with debut goals from Kyle Ross and Luke Sawyer. But a strong finish from the Ross-shire men was rewarded with Milligan's finish from a free-kick.

Thurso whistler Graham Elder, in charge of his first North Caley fixture, had to police what proved a bruising, ultra-physical encounter.

Muir, without their experienced, talismatic keeper Martin Rae, were looking to bounce back after their 3-1 reverse in Alness on the opening day of the campaign.

They could not have wished for a better start.

After they kicked off, a hopeful nudge forward took a deflection off United defender Stuart Florence and looked to be heading for the grasp of keeper Stuart MacCulloch. But the ball came back off one of his knees into the path of John Cameron who calmly clipped it over the keeper. Less than 30 seconds had elapsed.

MacCulloch partly redeemed himself on 12 minutes when he diverted a netbound effort from Kenny Lyall before clutching a decent strike from Muir danger man Ewan Dance.

Alan Farquhar (photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

United recovered well and took just over five minutes to draw level. Ross was set free and though Rae's replacement Ian Bartlett blocked his first effort, he was powerless to stop the striker netting with his side-footed follow-up.

United had the next two attempts on goal - a 25 yard piledriver from Gavin Henderson which veered just wide and an Alan Farquhar shot after a solo run which the Contin keeper managed to turn behind.

On 20 minutes, Bartlett was again to the fore to deny United hitman Mark Nichol with a full-stretch save.

Muir were threatening on the break and the home support were grateful for the offside flag shown against Ian Wilson after 34 minutes when the midfielder latched on to a through-ball and sped goalwards with just MacCulloch in his sights.

Farquhar was unlucky on 40 minutes when his near-post run to meet a corner ended with his glancing header coming back of the junction of the crossbar and a post.

If the first half was fairly even, United went on to do just about all the pressing for most of the second period.

Another Henderson drive was parried by Bartlett before Nichol cut in from the left and unleashed a cracking shot which the keeper again stood up to.

An undercurrent of aggro boiled over with a clutch of rash tackles, which resulted in bookings for Muir's Craig Mackay and Craig MacAllister. Henderson was also cautioned shortly before limping out of the action with a knee knock.

(photo by jamesgunn.co.uk)

Ref Elder perhaps showed over-much indulgence in not taking further action versus MacAllister for a follow-up challenge, which was worse than the one he was booked for.

Halkirk were well ahead on possession and pressure and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 73 minutes.

Ross created the chance with a surge up the right flank and a flicked pass to Sawyer which the Halkirk county league player converted into a convincing finish into the keeper's top left-hand corner.

Ross had a subsequent raking shot from just outside the penalty box well saved on 78 minutes before Muir mounted their late onslaught. They manufactured a couple of half-chances before coming up trumps from a free-kick on 87 minutes. The delivery was not properly cleared and the ball landed perfectly for Milligan who lashed it past MacCulloch from 10 yards.

Halkirk's stand-in manager Billy Manson had no quibble with the result.

"I couldn't really argue with the draw," he said. "Both teams gave their all in what was a hard-fought match. "I thought the first half was fairly even but the first 35 minutes of the second, it was all Halkirk. "Then they came right back into it and in the last 10, they always looked capable of getting a goal."

Halkirk - MacCulloch, Miller, Florence, MacDonald, A. Sinclair, Henderson (Davidson 68), Farquhar, Ross, Nichol, Sawyer (Mackay 75), Elder (Nicolson 72)

Muir of Ord - Bartlett, MacAllister, Sutherland, MacMillan, Brennan, Mackay, MacDonald, Wilson, Dance, Cameron, Lyall. Subs (all used) - Milligan, Cadden and MacWhirter.

Ref - Mr G. Elder.

report provided by Iain Grant

pictures provided by jamesgunn.co.uk

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