Halkirk must raise their game as season nears climax

MUIR OF ORD ROVERS .................................. 2

HALKIRK UNITED ............................................ 0

Football. THE Anglers have hit a mini-slump just when the North Caley League is approaching the business end of the season.

On Saturday, their first defeat in their championship defence followed hard on the heels of their shock home cup defeat at home at the hands of Clach "A".

The reverse at Muir - their bogey ground - also allowed the hosts to leapfrog Halkirk and go a point clear at the top of the table.

The visiting defence weathered a barnstorming opening by Muir, who have been boosted by securing the services of Nairn County defender Scotty Houston on loan for the remainder of the NCL campaign.

Anglers keeper Graeme Williamson was fully extended to turn a Ewan Dance effort from Kevin Fraser's assist on to the crossbar and behind. The Wick-based keeper then got behind a snap shot from Fraser but could only look as veteran Muir defender John Skinner headed past the post when given an unobstructed sight of goal from a corner.

United, who had a handful of regulars missing, spent the opening quarter shackled in their own half. Their only threat came when Chris Sutherland created space for himself in the penalty box to have a pop at goal.

Keeper Michael MacCallum's parry defused the danger.

United gradually worked their way into the match with engine-room duo Gavin Henderson and Michael Bremner helping win their side close to parity of possession.

Just after the half-hour mark, Bremner's set-piece picked out Alan Sinclair whose powerful header was kept out by MacCallum's razor-sharp reactions.

Muir thought they had made the breakthrough on 38 minutes when Eddie Fuller's cross was netted by Gillies MacKenzie but it was annulled by a marginal offside flag.

The first chance after the turnaround fell to the visitors when Martin Banks' centre was headed just wide by Henderson.

The opener on 48 minutes at the other end of the park came courtesy of a gaffe from the normally reliable Colin Davidson. His woefully short pass-back was seized upon by MacKenzie who stepped past Williamson before netting.

United's task became tougher 15 minutes later when they fell two behind. Good pressing play by Darryl Henderson won Muir possession and Kevin Fraser's run and pull-back left Dance with a simple tap-in.

United mounted a late rally with MacCallum showing good agility to get down to deny Bremner, who then curled a free-kick a foot wide.

The last chance was created by Gavin Sinclair for Stuart Florence whose netbound effort was clawed to safety by MacCallum.

Anglers manager Jock Mackay had no complaints about the continuation of his side's barren run in Muir.

"We were never really in the game," was his candid assessment. "They have strengthened with the addition of several experienced players while we had seven missing, five of whom would have started."

Mackay added: "I couldn't fault the boys for effort but they were the better team on the day. It's a tight pitch and they play to it well."

His counterpart, Alan Hercher, was delighted with both the result and his side's performance.

He said: "I thought it was a really good display by us. Halkirk have been exceptional this season and it was to nice to get a victory after they taught us a lesson the three times we played them up there this season."

Muir of Ord Rovers: MacCallum, Ross, Leitch, Skinner (Geegan 33), Houston, Henderson (Macleod 83), Fuller, K. Fraser, Dance, Lamont, MacKenzie (A. Fraser 88). Subs (unused): McKie.

Halkirk United: Williamson, G. Sinclair, Florence, C. Davidson, A. Sinclair, Henderson, Sutherland, Bremner, Cook, Banks, Malcolm. Subs (unused): S. Sinclair, Mackay and R. Davidson.

Ref: J. Bicknell.