Anglers aiming for a strong finish to season as they take on league leaders
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Halkirk United manager Ewan McElroy acknowledged that an away match against the team at the top of the table is "as difficult as it gets".
But that's the task awaiting the Anglers on Saturday when they take on North Caledonian League frontrunners Invergordon at the Recreation Grounds.
Halkirk will be looking to bounce back after last weekend's 2-1 loss to St Duthus at Grant Park. A victory in Tain would have lifted the Anglers to third in the table but instead they remain fifth.
"It was a setback but at the same time I think it shows how far we have come that we are bitterly disappointed with the defeat," McElroy said.
"The sheer volume of chances we created in the second half would probably be enough to win most games and that's something we can hopefully build upon.
"Invergordon this weekend is as difficult as it gets. They know that a win would put them within touching distance of the league.
"It was 0-0 the last time round [at Morrison Park in November] and I expect another close game.
"We do have a few niggles and boys coming back from injury we will need to assess, but it’s a game we are all looking forward to for sure. March is a really busy month for us and we will have to utilise the whole squad if we want to finish the season as strongly as possible."
Jack Wardrop gave Saints a sixth-minute lead. Halkirk equalised five minutes into the second half, with Andy Mackay getting the credit, but three minutes later Thomas Lewis lobbed in the winner for the home side.
"We know in this league if you are not at the races even for 45 minutes, and in particular away from home, then you will be punished – and that is what happened," McElroy said.
"In the first half we were uncharacteristically slow off the mark and didn't trouble the St Duthus keeper nearly as much as we should have.
"The second half was significantly better. We switched things around a little and from the start it was pretty much one-way traffic. We piled on the pressure and deservedly got ourselves back on level terms.
"We continued to push but disappointingly we conceded a second from our own corner and some route-one football. Credit to the St Duthus forward – from the long ball he finished well, lobbing it over our keeper, but we really should not be losing a goal like that.
"We continued to press, we hit the bar, the post, we had multiple chances cleared off the line, unfortunately on at least one occasion by our own players. It was as dominant a half as we have had, but we were unable to get the equaliser."
Invergordon are three points ahead of second-placed Loch Ness with both those sides having three games remaining.
The Easter Ross outfit reached the North Caledonian Cup semi-finals after Ryan McFee's second-half goal gave them a 1-0 win against Fort William.
Thurso take on Bonar Bridge at home this weekend, with the Vikings hoping to salvage some pride after their 13-0 mauling at the hands of Inverness Athletic.
It was a day to forget at Inverness Royal Academy for Thurso, whose 14-man squad featured a number of trialists. All three substitutes had been used when defender Jordan Howden went off with a serious knee injury, so they were down to 10 for most of the second half.
Howden had a visit to Raigmore and will miss the rest of the season.
Luke Mackay led the way for Athletic with seven goals, including four inside the opening half-hour. It is the biggest margin of defeat for Thurso in either league or cup competitions.
Tom Fulton, Kieran Goddard, Sandy White and Ross Cooper were also on the scoresheet, along with an own goal and a late strike by a trialist.
To add to Thurso's woes, a late turnaround gave Bonar Bridge a 4-3 home victory over Clachnacuddin "A" – so the Vikings are now three points adrift at the foot of the table.
Ethan McGorran’s 10th-minute strike for Clach was quickly cancelled out by Bonar's Alex McKenzie, but Cal White and Aidan Mackinnon put the Lilywhites 3-1 up by half-time.
Bruce Urquhart reduced the deficit in the 71st minute, Connel Gresham levelled the scores four minutes later and McKenzie claimed his second of the afternoon with five minutes to go.
Loch Ness kept their title hopes alive as they thumped Golspie Sutherland 6-2.
After trailing to a first-minute strike by Alexander Mackay, Loch Ness were 5-1 up by the hour mark with goals from Chris Innes, Cammy Lisle, a Josh Race double and Allan Macphee.
Cameron Sutherland pulled one back for Golspie before Sam Urquhart grabbed Loch Ness’s sixth in injury time.
Alness United drew 3-3 with Orkney at Dalmore Park.
Results – North Caledonian League: Alness United 3, Orkney 3; Bonar Bridge 4, Clachnacuddin "A" 3; Inverness Athletic 13, Thurso 0; Loch Ness 6, Golspie Sutherland 2; St Duthus v Halkirk United. North Caledonian Cup, quarter-final: Invergordon 1, Fort William 0.
Fixtures for Saturday – North Caledonian League: Fort William v Golspie Sutherland; Invergordon v Halkirk United (1pm); Orkney v Loch Ness; Thurso v Bonar Bridge (12.30pm).
North Caledonian Cup, quarter-final: Clachnacuddin "A" v Alness United.
