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

Lindsay's Cup QF - 19/09/09
Halkirk United 4 - 1 Bonar Bridge

Saturday's wins for United and Thurso puts the Caithness pair on course for a North Caledonian Cup clash at Recreation Park a week tomorrow.

United look in good shape as they prepare for tomorrow's home league match versus a resurgent Muir of Ord Rovers ahead of the far north derby.

Bonar travelled north minus a handful of regulars for the North Caledonian Cup quarter-final meeting.

They battled back after falling behind to Luke Sawyer' 20th minute to equalise through Ryan MacLean 12 minutes after the interval.

That served to re-focus the home side who had earlier squandered a hatful of chances.

Minutes later, an audacious back-heeled finish restored United's lead which was enhanced with further counters from Stuart Florence and Chris Sutherland.

United on Saturday welcomed back striker Sandy Sutherland for his first outing of the new campaign.

Also involved was Gordie MacDonald whose late appearance off the bench was his first action in over two seasons because of injury and a year out travelling.

Sandy Sutherland was quickly involved, being just off target with a strike on goal after good work by Chris Sutherland and Lee Elder.

Luke Sawyer then set up Elder whose strike was pawed out by visiting keeper Steven Martin. It rebounded towards Sandy Sutherland who had little time to react and his attempt went marginally wide.

The opening goal was created by Graham MacDonald's perfectly weighted pass which took the last defender out of the equation and gave Sawyer the time and space to net with a neat chip over Martin.

The keeper was to regularly find himself in the line of fire as United got in behind Bonar's outfield defence.

Sandy Sutherland and Benn Murray both went close with headers from setpieces while Chris Sutherland was unable to find a way past Martin when put in the clear.

Bonar's sole riposte in the first half came 11 minutes from the interval when David Clark's inviting cross was ballooned over by John Dorrian.

Henderson and Chris Sutherland thereafter failed to convert half-chances as Bonar got to the break without further loss.

The trend was maintained after the turnaround with Sawyer and Chris Sutherland both wasting good opportunities to double their team's lead.

The all-too-predictable sting arrived courtesy of Dorrian's curling free-kick which was nodded home by Ryan MacLean.

It prompted a reaction from the Anglers and within three minutes they had reclaimed the lead.

A lively counter from the home side ended with Martin's pushing Sandy Sutherland's attempt behind.

Martin made a hash of dealing with Chris Sutherland's corner, succeeding only in pushing the ball up in the air. It was met by an improvised back-heel from Henderson which scudded into the back of the net.

The game was up for Bonar on 73 minutes when Sandy Sutherland and Sawyer set up Florence for his fourth goal in as many matches.

Sandy Sutherland got full marks for effort but he had one of these days when nothing went right for him in front of goals. His barren run continued on 79 minutes when he was sent one-on-one with Martin and allowed the keeper to make a courageous block.

Henderson blasted over from close in before the Anglers bagged a fourth on 85 minutes.

Gordy MacDonald created the danger, stepping past two opponents before releasing Chris Sutherland to finish in some style.

Home manager Ian MacDonald said:

We should have had the game wrapped up well before they scored. But the equaliser gave us the kick up the backside we needed as we were just coasting along.

He was delighted to see Gordie MacDonald back in action and is hoping he can finally put his injury problems behind him.

Halkirk - Williamson, Sinclair, Murray (Traill h/t), Graham MacDonald, Davidson, Henderson, Florence, Sawyer (Gordie MacDonald 75), S. Sutherland, Elder (Bremner 58), C. Sutherland.

Bonar Bridge - Martin, Munro, G. Maclean, R. Maclean, MacNab, Dorrian, Sutherland, Montgomery, R. Cowie, Fulton, Clark. Subs (both used) - Crombie and J. Cowie.

Ref - Mr G. John.

report provided by Iain Grant

photos provided by jamesgunn.co.uk

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