Anglers left on the blocks as Golspie race to victory
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"We never got going." That was Halkirk United manager Ewan McElroy's verdict after Golspie Sutherland eased to a 4-0 victory over the Anglers.
Having racked up an impressive 2-2 draw at Golspie earlier in the season, hopes were high that Halkirk could go one step better in Saturday's Football Times Cup North Group tie at Morrison Park.
Instead, Golspie put in a ruthless performance that showed why they are the reigning league champions as goals from Conor Cormack, Martin Banks and Liam Bremner with a second-half double wrapped up an emphatic win.
McElroy offered no excuses.
"Unfortunately it was a tough day at the office," he said. "It was just not our day and we never really got going.
"Although we were still very much in the game at 2-0, the third goal killed it as a contest.
"Frustratingly, it was just individual mistakes for the first two goals and the boys never really recovered from them as a team.
"The third goal was the decider. If we had managed to convert one of our chances at 2-0 then I was confident we could get something from the game.
"Three out of Golspie's four goals were absolutely avoidable. It was uncharacteristic mistakes from some of our most consistent players. These things happen in football and we just need to get on with it and move on.
"We have a break in fixtures before resuming after Christmas for the derby against Thurso. Stuart Sinclair is a slight doubt but now has 10 days to recover.
"The festive season brings its own concerns with regard to fitness so we will just need to wait and see how the boys are when we regroup."
Despite the Golspie defeat, Halkirk United are in a much better place than they were in September following a poor start to the season and McElroy is pleased with the progress the Anglers have made.
He said: "I am really pleased with the overall performances from the squad in the short time I have been here.
"It's a work in progress and we all know that there will be no quick fix. The boys have been brilliant and continue to work hard and improve each week.
"Ideally we would like to add one or two more new faces ahead of the second half of the season.
"We have obviously added a few already with Aidan Reid, Bryan Reid, Chrissy Green, Cameron Mackay, Jordan Howden and Kai Mackay joining the ranks so far. We have also brought in young Ross Mackay on loan and we have a couple more boys in mind.
"The team has a decent platform to push on from here and will be looking to be a little more consistent into the new year."
Elsewhere in the Football Times Cup group stages, St Duthus topped the southern section following a 5-0 win at Inverness Athletic.
The Tain side cruised to victory thanks to a hat-trick from Liam Rostock and two from Ben Bruce.
Shaun Kerr, Joe Sutherland, Kyle Maclean, Hamish MacDonald, Jordan Knight and Darran Goller all netted for Invergordon as they won 5-1 at Lewis and Harris who scored a consolation through Hamish MacDonald.
A hat-trick from Ali MacKinnon, two from Paul Gair and one from Robbie Murray helped Bunillidh Thistle thump Bonar Bridge 6-0.
