Anglers ‘looking for a reaction’ in cup clash with Alness
Halkirk United will put their fading title hopes to one side on Saturday as they welcome Alness United to Morrison Park for a North Caledonian Cup quarter-final tie.
The Anglers dropped to second in the North Caledonian League last weekend when they went down 2-0 to Inverness Athletic at Ferry Brae Park while reigning champions Invergordon were winning 6-1 in Orkney.
The leading two are now level on points, but Halkirk United have only one remaining league fixture while the Easter Ross outfit have three to play and a much better goal difference.
Having topped the table for much of the campaign, winning an impressive 17 of their 21 league matches so far, the Anglers look destined for the runners-up spot.
Athletic’s Sam Mackay did the damage, scoring from two free kicks.
Manager Ewan McElroy accepts that the title now looks to be out of reach for Halkirk United.
“I’m not sure if either team really did enough to warrant the three points – there were not many clear-cut opportunities for either side,” he said.
“It was a scrappy game, chances were few and far between, and we were just undone by two set-pieces in either half – one of them being a bit of a fluke goal.
“We did hit the woodwork, and had a couple of half-chances, but both teams struggled to get a proper foothold in the game.
“It happens in football, it’s unfortunate, and we were obviously disappointed – but the boys have been outstanding and have worked incredibly hard in the league this year and pushed a very good Invergordon side all the way.
“Obviously we needed Invergordon to drop points this weekend and that was not to be.
“We now need to dust ourselves down and prepare for a difficult match versus Alness in the North Caledonian Cup.”
The Anglers completed a league double over Alness, winning 4-0 at home in October and 7-2 at Dalmore Park at the start of February.
However, Alness won 2-1 when the sides met in the first round of the Football Times Cup in September.
“All teams want to do well in the cups and Alness have already knocked us out the first cup this year,” McElroy said.
“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves and will of course be looking for a reaction from the boys on Saturday. We have a good group and with a strong mentality and I have no doubt that they will put everything into Saturday and attempt to get into another semi-final.”
North Caledonian League results: Clachnacuddin “A” 3, Bunillidh Thistle 2; Inverness Athletic 2, Halkirk United 0; Orkney 1, Invergordon 6; St Duthus 2, Golspie Sutherland 1; Thurso 1, Alness United 1.
Fixtures: Saturday, March 15 – North Caledonian League: Bonar Bridge v Orkney; Invergordon v Clachnacuddin “A”; Thurso v Bunillidh Thistle (2pm).
North Caledonian Cup, quarter-finals: Halkirk United v Alness United (2pm); Inverness Athletic v Fort William.
