Halkirk United desperate to get going again in cup clash with Alness
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Halkirk United manager Ewan McElroy says his players are desperate to get going again as they prepare for Saturday's North Caledonian Cup quarter-final at home to Alness United.
The teams had been due to meet last Saturday in a league fixture in Easter Ross but it was called off as Dalmore Park was snowbound.
The Anglers have struck good form since losing in Orkney last month, with a 4-1 league win against Thurso followed by a 3-1 victory over Invergordon in the first round of the cup – both at Morrison Park.
McElroy said: "We all want to keep this good run going – consistency is key at this level.
"We are in good shape at the minute and playing well, and the boys are desperate to get going again this weekend."
Korbyn Cameron and Bryan Reid are set to miss out through injury.
"Korbyn had to come off in our last game and will likely need another couple of weeks' rest, while Bryan is in a similar position," McElroy said. "We have another couple of knocks but will wait until the end of the week to fully assess them."
Alness United are below Halkirk in the table but have proved tricky opponents for McElroy's side this season, scoring four goals on two occasions – in the league, when they won 4-2 at Morrison Park, then in the Football Times Cup when the Anglers went through on penalties after a 4-4 draw at Dalmore Park.
"Alness have a strong squad and have already shown they are more than capable of taking points against any team in the league," McElroy said.
"They have already taken points from or beaten the likes of Invergordon, Golspie and St Duthus this season. We know first-hand, having lost at home 4-2 earlier in the season before going on to concede another four in our away game that went to penalties a week later."
That 4-2 defeat at Morrison Park at the end of September was enough to knock Halkirk United off the top of the table. The Anglers were ahead twice, courtesy of Jonah Martens and Kyle Henderson, only to end up suffering their first defeat of the 2021/22 campaign.
Fixtures: Saturday, February 26 – North Caledonian League: Loch Ness v Invergordon (2pm); Orkney v St Duthus (12.30pm); Nairn County "A" v Inverness Athletic (2pm); Thurso v Golspie (2pm).
North Caledonian Cup quarter-final: Halkirk United v Alness United (2pm).
