Anglers unlucky not to earn a draw at Invergordon, says manager McElroy
Manager Ewan McElroy felt Halkirk United were unlucky not to grab a point at Invergordon on Saturday after they fought back from being three goals down at the break.
The North Caledonian League leaders maintained their 100 per cent start to the Division One campaign with a 3-2 win, but McElroy was pleased with the Anglers' battling second-half display in a game that was affected by a strong wind.
"We have suffered some heavy defeats against Invergordon in the past but I thought we looked stronger, sharper and fitter as the game progressed and we were really unlucky not to get a point against very good opposition," he said.
Invergordon took the lead after 11 minutes through the lively Russell MacIntyre. Kyle Henderson was unfortunate not to draw the visitors level when he found himself in a one-on-one situation.
The home side doubled their advantage on 26 minutes through a Shaun Kerr penalty after Ian Ross was adjudged to have committed a foul, despite winning the ball.
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3 / 3The third arrived on 37 minutes as the Anglers were punished for being slack in possession further up the field. Invergordon countered and a deflected 20-yard shot from Steven Mackay found the net.
Halkirk United reduced the deficit five minutes after the restart. Andy Mackay, who continues to improve, fired in a right-foot rocket from 25 yards and the Anglers continued to pile on the pressure.
Jonah Martens rounded the keeper only to see his shot slide past the post, and James Mackintosh was unfortunate not to score when he got himself in a good position only to scuff the ball wide.
Mark Webster smashed home a 30-yard free kick in the dying stages.
McElroy said: "Conditions were not the best for either team. It was really difficult to get much football played, and with 45 mph winds forecast I think everyone was a little surprised the match went ahead.
"It was basically a game of two halves, with the wind playing a significant part. We really got to grips with the game in the second half and in fairness we battered Invergordon for most of it.
"All in all I was really pleased with the second-half performance from the boys in coming from 3-0 down."
The match between Orkney and Thurso was called off after the Vikings were unable to raise a team for the trip across the Pentland Firth.
Elsewhere in Division One, former Wick Academy midfielder Sam Mackay was on target for Golspie Sutherland as they won 2-1 against St Duthus in Tain. St Duthus led at half-time through Ben Bruce, but Mackay levelled on the hour mark before Robbie Murray gave the visitors all three points in the final moments.
Nairn County "A" thumped Bonar Bridge 7-3 at Station Park to move within a point of leaders Loch Ness in Division Two. Kieran Duffty scored a hat-trick against the Sutherland outfit.
It was a tale of two penalties as Inverness Athletic and Loch Ness drew 1-1.
Athletic took the lead three minutes after the break with a Luke Mackay spot-kick. Two minutes later Loch Ness were awarded a penalty of their own and DJ Macphee netted from 12 yards.
This weekend's North Caledonian League fixtures: Friday – Division Two: Loch Ness v Nairn County "A".
Saturday – Division One: Golspie Sutherland v Thurso; Halkirk United v St Duthus; Invergordon v Orkney. Division Two; Inverness Athletic v Bonar Bridge; Scourie v Alness United.