McElroy pleased with Anglers' energy levels ahead of back-to-back games against Alness
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Halkirk United's energy levels played a major part in their 3-1 cup victory over Invergordon at the weekend, according to manager Ewan McElroy.
"There was no doubt we deserved the win and I thought we looked the fitter and sharper team as the game progressed," McElroy said after the Anglers booked their place in the quarter-finals of the North Caledonian Cup.
Invergordon are second in the table and very much in the title race but this was the second time they had been beaten at Morrison Park since the turn of the year, having lost 4-2 in the league in January.
Ryan Sutherland put Halkirk in front after a quarter of an hour when he was first to react after Korbyn Cameron had struck a post following a corner.
Jonah Martens doubled their lead two minutes before half-time, rounding the keeper to slot home after a through ball from Sam Barclay, and Martens put the outcome beyond doubt with a penalty on 79 minutes. Invergordon's Stuart Leslie got a consolation goal in injury time.
The result followed on from the Anglers’ 4-1 win against Thurso at Morrison Park in midweek.
"There was a real energy at the start of the game and we never let Invergordon settle," McElroy said. "We pressed as a team and in possession we looked really comfortable.
"We had a number of changes from the week before and all the boys that came in did well.
"I thought Marc Coghill had his best game this season, always looking for the ball and keen to press at every opportunity. The back four of Hasheem Bremner, Aidan Reid, Ryan Sutherland and Korbyn Cameron were outstanding.
"Invergordon have plenty going forward but I thought those lads marshalled them well, were aggressive in the tackle and put Invergordon under a lot of pressure at the right times and in the right areas of the pitch."
Now come back-to-back games against Alness United – away on Saturday in the North Caledonian League, and at home on February 26 in the last eight of the cup.
The Easter Ross side are below Halkirk in the table but have caused problems for McElroy's men this season, scoring four goals on two occasions – in the league, when they won 4-2 at Morrison Park, and in the Football Times Cup when the Anglers went through on penalties after a 4-4 draw at Dalmore Park.
"We are yet to beat Alness in 90 minutes this season," McElroy said. "We have conceded eight goals in the last two games against them.
"They are a really solid outfit who like to get the ball down and play. We know that in order to get anything from the match we will have to be at it from the very start."
League leaders Loch Ness went out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage after a 3-1 defeat at Golspie on Saturday.
Miller Mackay and Shaun Urquhart put Golspie two up in the first half. Darren MacGregor pulled one back but player/manager Sam Mackay settled the outcome with a free kick.
St Duthus also booked their place in the last four as they defeated Orkney 2-0 at Grant Park, with Ben Bruce getting both goals.
North Caledonian Cup results – First round: Halkirk United 3, Invergordon 1. Quarter-finals: Golspie Sutherland 3, Loch Ness 1; St Duthus 2, Orkney 0; Thurso 1, Nairn County "A" 1 (Nairn won 5-4 on penalties).
North Caledonian League fixtures for Saturday: Alness United v Halkirk United (2pm); Bonar Bridge v Thurso (2pm); Invergordon v Orkney (12.45pm); Inverness Athletic v Nairn County "A" (2.30pm); St Duthus v Golspie Sutherland (2pm).
Wednesday, February 23: Thurso v Bonar Bridge (8pm, at Golspie).
