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Anglers impress to reach North Caley cup final


By Iain Grant

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Muir of Ord goalkeeper Lee Wainwright manages to stretch for a cross ball to prevent Halkirk’s Colin Davidson from scoring during Saturday’s cup clash. Photo: www.jamesgunn.co.uk
Muir of Ord goalkeeper Lee Wainwright manages to stretch for a cross ball to prevent Halkirk’s Colin Davidson from scoring during Saturday’s cup clash. Photo: www.jamesgunn.co.uk

HALKIRK UNITED 5

MUIR OF ORD ROVERS 1

UNITED on Saturday debunked pre-match predictions of a tight contest as they breezed their way into the final of the North Caledonian Cup.

Their impressive victory over opponents who had boasted the North Caley’s only other unbeaten record sends a clear message of their intent to make a concerted onslaught on this year’s silverware.

An evenly matched first half gave no hint of the clash departing from the series of close-run affairs which have typified the fixture. But after Grant MacNab’s volley on the stroke of half-time had levelled Alan Fraser’s opener, there was little doubt the Anglers would prevail with a bit to spare.

Apart from passing up a more-than-decent chance to retake the lead, Muir were very passive after the break, having lost their earlier sparkle.

They were grateful to keeper Lee Wainwright for tipping over Colin Davidson’s full-blooded header from Alan Larnach’s first-minute corner.

MacNab was then just wide with an aerial effort from Larnach’s feed, this time in open play.

A promising attack from Muir was ended with a miscued effort from striker Ewan Dance before home keeper Graeme Williamson was called upon to keep out Davie Ross’s close-range header.

Muir took a 19th-minute lead when Calum Lamont was given the freedom of the right flank before his cross was met by Fraser whose deflected shot beat Williamson.

United were varying their points of attack and MacNab shot narrowly past before the home men came within a whisker of drawing level on 28 minutes.

Larnach made good ground before releasing to Gavin Henderson whose feed through to the unmarked MacNab was fractionally too strong for the striker. Back came Muir with a Dance cross inviting a 12-yard header from Lamont which Williamson did very well to reach.

On 31 minutes, Wainwright required sure handling to deal with Nigel MacKenzie’s steepling cross, with MacNab poised to punish any fumble.

Halkirk were getting joy down both flanks with Larnach shooting just over before Chris Sutherland hit the side net after a MacKenzie feed left him six yards out with the goal at his mercy.

In between those efforts, Dance wriggled clear only to find Williamson equal to his power drive.

In the final action of the first half, Gavin Sinclair and Sutherland set MacKenzie racing down the left wing and his measured cross was volleyed home by MacNab.

The only real moment of concern for the home fans after the break came when the wily Dance again found space for himself in the opposition box.

Once again, a less-than-convincing strike and Williamson’s gymnastics prevented a goal.

The home side drew in front on 59 minutes when another menacing run from MacKenzie ended with his shot being parried by Wainwright on to the edge of the 18-yard box where it was returned with interest by Larnach.

Muir’s midfield drifted out of the game, resulting in their defence coming under regular pressure.

United went 3-1 up on 68 minutes from a free kick which Henderson touched to Michael Bremner whose curving shot eluded both the defensive cordon and the helpless keeper.

Three minutes later the Anglers struck again from another free kick. This time, Larnach’s low, driven shot found the gap between Wainwright’s reach and the left upright.

The over-worked Wainwright was almost caught napping by a 30-yard snap shot from Henderson 10 minutes from time.

The scoring was completed on 84 minutes when veteran defender Dave Brennan’s would-be headed pass-back was short and Halkirk sub Martin Banks was on it in a flash.

The Wick youngster wasted no time in planting a 30-yard lob over the stranded Wainwright. The keeper thereafter denied Bremner his second before Dance’s blank day was confirmed when his raging shot produced a fine block from Williamson.

Halkirk United: Williamson, G. Sinclair (Howden 79), Florence, A. Sinclair, Davidson, Henderson, Larnach, Bremner, Sutherland, MacNab (Banks 64), MacKenzie. Subs not used: Cook and Mackay.

Muir of Ord Rovers: Wainwright, Ross, Leitch, John Skinner, Brennan, Fuller, Henderson, James Skinner, Dance, Lamont, Fraser. Subs: Farquhar, MacKenzie, Mackie and Calvert.

Referee: G. Elder.


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