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

Port Services Group League - 22/08/09
Halkirk United 6 - 2 Invergordon

Halkirk's rejigged squad passed their first test on Saturday when they extended the side's unbeaten home record from last season.

Defender Ben Murray and frontman Jimmy Budge both scored on their debuts as a convincing second half display sealed a PSG North Caley League victory which could easily have been by a wider margin.

The visitors faded after a lively opening when they manufactured three good chances to go in front.

The home defence was discomfited by the movement and pace of the opposing strike spearhead of Fraser Sinclair and Mark Lamont.

On four minutes, home goalie Graeme Williamson was more than tested as he flung himself to the ground to prevent David Manson opening the scoring.

On 10 minutes, Sinclair was put in the clear and saw his shot graze the top of the crossbar.

A minute later, Lamont was in on goal with Williamson doing well to get fingertips to the newly released Ross County under-19 striker's attempt on goal.

Halkirk's Chris Sutherland was getting plenty of joy down his wide right beat and his cross on 13 minutes saw Budge's header turned against a post by visiting keeper Alister Mathieson. The ball ran tantalisingly along the line before being hoofed clear.

Sutherland grabbed the opener a minute later when he jinked past a couple of defenders before sliding the ball between Mathieson and the left-hand upright.

Lee Elder came close to doubling the lead before a defensive mix-up at the other end of the park saw Invergordon on terms.

As Graham MacDonald and Williamson waited one each other to deal with a punt into the box, Bob MacAskill nipped in between them to clip the ball over the keeper.

Mathieson went on to save well from Budge while Elder first shot just wide before having a stinging netbound effort blocked by defender Barry Mackay.

Just before the half-time break, Murray -- who had earlier gone close with a header - got his angles spot on when he rose to net from Luke Sawyer's delivery.

If the first half had been competitive, the second developed into something of a non-contest, especially after Budge's double put the match beyond the visitors.

With Stuart Florence on for the injured Alan Davis, United looked more solid at the back and menacing at the business end of the park.

Budge's header from Sutherland's set-up was clawed to safety by Mathieson before Elder and Budge each had efforts which shaved the outside of the goal-frame.

Williamson was roused from his enforced idleness to tip over a decent effort from the lively Lamont following a rare break-out by the visitors.

Halkirk's pressure paid off when Budge got the first of his twosome on 63 minutes.

Elder and Sawyer provided the opening to allow the striker to open his account for his new club.

Nine minutes later, he had his second after connecting with a flick-on from Sutherland.

Halkirk drew further ahead on 74 minutes when Colin Sinclair's foray ended with Budge playing in Elder who rifled the ball past Mathieson.

Sub Robbie MacCormack afforded the Easter Ross men some respite with a coolly taken finish on 82 minutes after he got in behind the defence before neatly side-footing the ball through Williamson's legs.

Mathieson then saved well from Sutherland after the latter had been released by Gavin Henderson and sub Paul Mackay shot wide with a clear view on goal.

The scoring was rounded off in the final minute when Elder and MacDonald exchanged passes to allow the latter to run through to finish.

The performance drew praise from the hard-to-please Halkirk boss Ian MacDonald.

He said: I thought we injected a fair bit of pace to the game despite not having had a chance to train. I thought there were quite a few decent individual performances and they just couldn't handle us on the wings. The cheap goals we gave away were a bit annoying but overall it was a good start.

Halkirk - Williamson, Sinclair, Murray, Davis (Florence h/t), Davidson, MacDonald, Henderson, Sutherland, Sawyer (Mackay 75), Budge (Munro 75), Elder.

Invergordon - Mathieson, Graham, D. MacGruer, Mackay, Muir, MacAskill, Stone, MacPherson, Manson, Sinclair, Lamont. Subs - S. MacGruer, MacCormack, Rose and Stevens.

Ref - Mr G. Elder.

report provided by Iain Grant

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