League will be ‘really tight’ says manager of table-topping Halkirk United
The opening weeks of the 2024/25 North Caledonian League campaign have reinforced the belief of Halkirk United manager Ewan McElroy that it will be a fiercely competitive title race.
The Anglers are top of the table on goal difference, as one of four teams on the 12-point mark, after last weekend’s 2-0 away victory over champions Invergordon.
With Alness United, Inverness Athletic and Invergordon all involved in Football Times Cup quarter-final ties this Saturday, Halkirk United will go three points clear if they can win in Orkney.
“At the start of the season we thought it had the makings of a really tight league and five or six games in it looks exactly that,” McElroy said. “The current top six all look more than capable of taking points off each other, and to be honest even the teams below will be able to punish anyone that is not bang at it this year.”
Mark Macadie is said to be “raring to go” after joining the Anglers on a one-month loan from Wick Academy as he seeks to regain match sharpness after being sidelined by injury.
“Orkney is always a hugely difficult place to go and if you leave with any points on the board you are usually doing well,” McElroy said. “They are on really good form themselves and have just beaten a very good Alness side.
“Andy Mackay is doubtful, However, we will hopefully look to welcome back Aidan Reid at centre-back and our new loan signing Mark Macadie has also impressed – he is raring to go after getting a few sessions under his belt.”
Cameron Montgomery got the opener at Invergordon after 17 minutes and Hasheem Bremner made sure of the points with 12 minutes of the 90 remaining.
McElroy hailed it as “a terrific performance”.
He said: “We know that going to Invergordon is a really difficult challenge. While you always want to nullify the opposition’s strengths, it was equally important to stick to our own game and play with the confidence and resilience we needed to get anything from the game.
“We had to shuffle the pack as we only really had one out-and-out centre-back available due to work and injuries. James Mackintosh dropped back to partner Aaron McNicol and they looked a really accomplished pairing for the duration.
“Kieran Macleod did make a couple of really important saves for us. He did not actually have a huge amount to do outwith those chances, but when he was called into action I thought he was brilliant.
“Credit to Invergordon, they never stopped working and you know what you are going to get from them – they don’t have any standout weaknesses and will battle for the 90 minutes.
“Defensively we were excellent and that started from our front three who worked tirelessly from the off. Cameron Montgomery led the line and with every game he is looking more and more comfortable with the group.
“We had a couple of decent chances to extend the lead, and a dubious offside decision was a little frustrating, but it’s almost an impossible job for the referee and he had a good game.
“Thankfully Hasheem Bremner’s goal was enough to kill off the game.”
Orkney showed how dangerous they can be when they inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Alness United at the weekend.
Toby MacLeod and Liam Delday scored for the islanders before Ryan Dryburgh pulled one back with 10 minutes to go. However, Daniel Hourston scored to wrap up a 3-1 win for Orkney.
Inverness Athletic also suffered their first league loss as they were beaten 2-1 by Golspie at Ferry Brae.
Graham MacNab’s early goal was cancelled out by a Ciaran Young free kick, but MacNab struck again with a header.
Bonar Bridge moved up to ninth in the table after a 3-0 home win against Sutherland rivals Bunillidh Thistle, who are still without a point since returning to the league.
Jack Corbett scored twice and Jordan Shaw got the other.
Fort William were 5-1 winners away to second-bottom Clachnacuddin “A”. Kane Davies (2), Lewis Moran, Andrew McLean and Lewis Campbell were on target for the Lochaber side, with Fraser Wright replying for Clach.
North Caledonian League results: Bonar Bridge 3, Bunillidh Thistle 0; Clachnacuddin “A” 1, Fort William 5; Invergordon 0, Halkirk United 2; Inverness Athletic 1, Golspie Sutherland 2; Orkney 3, Alness United 1; St Duthus 6, Thurso 0.
Fixtures for Saturday, September 28 – North Caledonian League: Orkney v Halkirk United (12.45pm); Thurso v Bonar Bridge (2pm).
Football Times Cup, quarter-finals: Alness United v Clachnacuddin “A”; Bunillidh Thistle v Invergordon; Golspie Sutherland v St Duthus; Inverness Athletic v Fort William.
