Anglers looking to get back on top in North Caledonian League
Halkirk United will be hoping to reclaim top spot in the North Caledonian League when they travel to Easter Ross on Saturday to take on Alness United.
The Anglers were left idle last weekend as Pentland Firth ferry cancellations caused the postponement of their scheduled home fixture against Orkney.
Invergordon stepped up their challenge with a 3-1 home win against Golspie on Saturday and followed that with a 2-0 victory in the Easter Ross derby at Alness in midweek.
That enabled the reigning champions to replace long-time leaders Halkirk United at the top of the table. Both are on the 42-point mark, with Invergordon having a game in hand.
Golspie – 6-0 winners against Bunillidh Thistle on Wednesday night – are third, three points behind the Anglers, having played one game more.
Invergordon have a break from league action this weekend as they welcome Thurso for a North Caledonian Cup quarter-final tie.
Halkirk United won 4-0 when Alness visited Morrison Park in October, with goals from Jonah Martens, Mark Munro and Cameron Montgomery (2) – all in the first half.
However, Ewan McElroy’s side have unhappy memories of their last visit to Dalmore Park, a 2-1 defeat in the Football Times Cup in September.
The Anglers’ last outing was the 2-0 victory over St Duthus in the first round of the North Caledonian Cup.
Thurso were also left without a game last weekend after the postponement of their scheduled fixture against Clachnacuddin “A” at the Dammies.
North Caledonian League results – Saturday: Alness United 1, Bonar Bridge 0; Invergordon 3, Golspie Sutherland 1; St Duthus 2, Fort William 2. Wednesday: Alness United 0, Invergordon 2; Bonar Bridge 0, Inverness Athletic 4; Golspie Sutherland 6, Bunillidh Thistle 0.
North Caledonian League top three: 1 Invergordon (played 15, points 42); 2 Halkirk United (16, 42); 3 Golspie Sutherland (17, 39).
Fixtures – Saturday, February 1 – North Caledonian League: Alness United v Halkirk United (1pm); Bunillidh Thistle v Orkney; Inverness Athletic v Clachnacuddin “A”; St Duthus v Bonar Bridge. North Caledonian Cup, quarter-final: Invergordon v Thurso (1pm).
Saturday, February 8 – North Caledonian League: Bunillidh Thistle v Bonar Bridge; Clachnacuddin “A” v Alness United; Halkirk United v Fort William (1pm); St Duthus v Invergordon; Thurso v Inverness Athletic (1pm). North Caledonian Cup, quarter-final: Orkney v Golspie Sutherland.