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Contrasting fortunes for Caithness clubs ahead of North Caledonian League derby





James Mackintosh comes close for Halkirk United in a derby against Thurso last season. Picture: James Gunn
James Mackintosh comes close for Halkirk United in a derby against Thurso last season. Picture: James Gunn

Thurso will be aiming to upset Halkirk United’s North Caledonian League championship bid in the Caithness derby at the Dammies this weekend.

The league returns from its festive break with 10 of the 12 teams in action on Saturday, weather permitting.

The Caithness clubs have had contrasting fortunes this season, with the Anglers setting the pace in the title race while the Vikings are third from bottom and anxious not to drop any further.

Halkirk United maintained their six-point lead at the top of the table after coming from behind to beat Bonar Bridge 5-1 in their last outing of 2024.

The Anglers have won 14 of their 16 league games and have picked up maximum points from their eight away fixtures so far.

Manager Ewan McElroy has expressed the view that four or even five teams could be “in with a shout come the end of the season”. Foremost among the chasing pack are champions Invergordon, in second place with three games in hand.

Speaking after the Bonar match, McElroy said: “I’m delighted with the effort and application from the boys this half of the year. I think they’ve been outstanding.

“We’ve put together a really good group, and the boys are working hard each week, but we know that there’s a long way to go.”

Thurso suffered their 12th defeat in 14 league fixtures this season when they went down 6-0 to Golspie Sutherland at King George V Park in the last round of fixtures before Christmas.

They remain 10th on six points, one point above Clachnacuddin “A” and two ahead of bottom club Bunillidh Thistle.

Manager Tom McKenna has made it clear that he is focusing mainly on getting a settled squad together and building up performance levels, and is “not fixated on results” for the time being.

He hopes the squad will be able to regroup after the festive break and get better numbers at training.

In the aftermath of the defeat to Golspie, McKenna said: “From box to box the lads do well. It’s just that in the two most important areas of the park we’re struggling to defend and to create anything of note. That’s the thing we need to try and fix.”

The Vikings will be eager to avoid a repeat of the last derby, at Morrison Park in September, when Halkirk United raced into a four-goal lead in the opening 10 minutes and went on to win 9-1.

North Caledonian League fixtures for Saturday, January 4: Alness United v Invergordon; Golspie Sutherland v Bunillidh Thistle; Inverness Athletic v Clachnacuddin “A”; St Duthus v Bonar Bridge; Thurso v Halkirk United (1pm).

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