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

SWL Cup QF - 21/11/09
Halkirk United 5 - 0 Balintore

Manager Ian MacDonald pulled a rabbit out of the hat in pairing Budge up front with Alan 'Baba' Sinclair for Balintore's visit to Recreation Park.

Normally a sweeper, he was given a complete change of role on his first outing of the season after being sidelined by a chronic joint complaint. While he was afforded next to no scoring opportunities, he regularly featured in build-up play, with one inch-perfect chest-pass a highlight.

On a chilly winter's afternoon, the visitors stuck to their task well even after losing a third goal just before the interval which effectively holed their cause below the water-line.

Chris Sutherland created the first opening for the Anglers on five minutes when he made space for himself down the left wing before squaring towards the inrushing Scott Mackay Steven. The latter was brought crashing to the ground by defender Josh Melville as the pair jostled to get to the ball first though ref Bob Gunn saw nothing amiss.

Soon after, Gavin Henderson opened up the visiting defence with his assist giving Mackay Steven a run-in on Ross Henderson. The keeper did not have to work too hard to block the former Ross County junior's unconvincing attempt.

Sutherland was then foiled by a well-timed challenge after he was given a sight of goal by MacKay Steven's prompt.

United's domination of the first half was demonstrated by their monopoly of the corner count by eight to nil.

It was the source for their opening goal on 13 minutes when Neil Traill's follow-up delivery was met by a firm, rising header from Budge.

Two minutes later, defender Benn Murray missed a similar opening to double the lead.

The second arrived after a 10 minute purple patch for the visitors, for whom Andy Ripley and Andy Bell proved lively presences throughout the afternoon.

Latching on to head-flick from Ross Powell, Ripley's weaving run was cut short on the edge of the six yard line as he prepared to shoot.

Home keeper Graeme Williamson was also called on to keep out decent efforts from Steven Alexander and Powell.

The second goal came after Budge was hauled down on the edge of the box by Henderson and Colin Sinclair stepped up to nail the free-kick into the left-hand corner.

Balintore spurned another good chance on 27 minutes when Bell's assist was dragged wide by Josh Melville who was unattended at the back post.

Halkirk got the killer third two minutes from the break when Mackay Steven opened the way for Budge to run through and coolly slip the ball past keeper Henderson.

The visitors were under the cosh for most of the second half with Powell's threatening injury-time strike the sum of their attacking efforts.

Colin Sinclair took advantage of United's stranglehold to act as an auxiliary striker.

He went close with a spanking shot which flashed just past and then netted off Budge's feed only to have the effort chalked off for offside.

Colin Sinclair missed a snip in front of goal on the hour-mark after good links involving Gavin Henderson and Mackay Steven.

Ross Henderson did well to tip over a raging shot by Budge before the striker got his hat-trick goal on 64 minutes.

Colin Sinclair's doggedness won his team possession and his slide-rule pass allowed Budge to fix the keeper before slipping the ball between him and his left-hand post.

Colin Sinclair and Sutherland both wasted good opportunities before Colin Sinclair made it 5-0 after he rose unopposed to net Traill's corner nine minutes from time.

Several minutes later, sub Stevie Reid played in Colin Sinclair whose hat-trick dream turned into a nightmare as he shanked the ball past an unguarded net.

The final action saw Williamson relieved to see Powell's shot whistle past his near post after a sharp counter launched by Graeme Davis.

Anglers manager Ian MacDonald was just happy to get an outing after three weeks kicking their heels.

He said, We needed a game after being out for so long. In the first half, they gave us a couple of scares but after the interval, they didn't threaten at all. We missed a lot of chances but overall it was a decent performance.

Halkirk United - Williamson, Florence, Traill, Murray, Davidson (Davis 77), Henderson, C. Sinclair, Mackay Steven, Budge (Reid 64), A. Sinclair (Sawyer 73), C. Sutherland.

Balintore - Henderson, Melville, D. MacGruer, Skinner (S. MacGruer (60), Powell, Alexander (Metcalfe 78), Davis, Bell, MacDonald, Ripley, Clarke. Sub (unused) - Miller.

Ref - Mr B. Gunn.

report provided by Iain Grant

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