A point was still a good result, says Halkirk United boss after 0-0 draw
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Halkirk United manager Ewan McElroy said his players were "excellent from start to finish" in the goalless draw with Invergordon at Morrison Park and felt they were unlucky not to have taken three points instead of one.
Saturday's result left the Anglers in third place in the North Caledonian League, a point behind Invergordon, with both clubs having played nine fixtures. Champions Loch Ness have a three-point lead at the top, although they have played two games more.
McElroy's men will be looking to keep up their title challenge when they meet 10th-placed Alness United at home on Saturday.
Reflecting on the Invergordon match – the Anglers' first draw of the season – McElroy said: "Invergordon have a really experienced side, technically very good, and physically they are a pretty solid outfit.
"I thought our boys were excellent from start to finish. They have been all season, and it speaks volumes for the squad that despite keeping a clean sheet, creating the better chances and more than holding our own against one of the favourites for the league, we were a little disappointed not to come away with all three points.
"I can’t speak more highly of the squad at the minute but we are fully aware we are not even at the halfway mark yet for the season.
"We had the better chances in the match in open play. We knew Invergordon would have spells of pressure but I thought we defended well and bar one or two chances I don’t think they caused us too many problems.
"We had a couple of fantastic chances in each half to go in front but we snatched at a couple and possibly made the wrong decision in a couple more.
"However, we spoke after the game and a point is still a very good result – and if we had a little bit of luck we would likely have taken all three points."
McElroy added: "Saturday is another really difficult test. We have lost only two games this season and one of those was deservedly against Alness [in a Football Times Cup tie in August].
"They have already taken points off the league leaders Loch Ness and are an improved outfit, and they will likely be in confident mood after beating Thurso at the weekend."
Sam Urquhart hit a hat-trick as Loch Ness won 7-1 away to Clachnacuddin "A" at the weekend. Allan MacPhee scored twice for the leaders, whose other goals came from Martin Mainland and Mike Senghor. Aidan Mackinnon had briefly got Clach level at 1-1.
St Duthus were hammered 8-2 at home by Golspie. There were two goals apiece from Miller Mackay, Martin Banks and Robbie Murray, with Sam Barclay and Ally Macleod also on target for the Sutherland side, before a couple of consolation goals for St Duthus from Jack Kerr and Billy Cairns.
Fort William beat Orkney 2-1 at the Naver all-weather pitch in Thurso.
North Caledonian League results: Alness United 3, Thurso 1; Bonar Bridge 1, Inverness Athletic 1; Clachnacuddin “A” 1, Loch Ness 7; Halkirk United 0, Invergordon 0; Orkney 1, Fort William 2; St Duthus 2, Golspie 8.
North Caledonian League fixtures – Saturday, December 2: Clachnacuddin “A” v Inverness Athletic; Fort William v Loch Ness; Halkirk United v Alness United (1pm); Orkney v Golspie; St Duthus v Invergordon; Thurso v Bonar Bridge (1pm).
Wednesday, December 6: Alness United v Bonar Bridge; Golspie v Thurso (7.45pm); Clachnacuddin “A” v Invergordon.
