Ruthless Anglers hit Bonar for six
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Halkirk United shook off their Tain blues to hit Bonar Bridge for six on Saturday and book their place in the next round of the North Caledonian Cup.
Having received a thumping in the league at St Duthus the previous weekend, the Anglers took their frustrations out on Bonar to win 6-1.
Ben Gordon broke the deadlock as he followed in on his own rebound after his initial effort had hit the post.
Korbyn Cameron added a second when he latched on to his own deft chip over the keeper to slot into an empty net.
Bonar pulled one back just before half-time through Derek Mackay. However, seven minutes after the interval, Bobby Gunn's effort was adjudged to have crossed the line to make it 3-1.
Kyle Henderson's left-foot curler made it four, with a solo effort from Gordon arriving soon after.
The visitors' misery was complete when a clinical finish from Ross Mackay at the near post completed the rout for Halkirk.
You always want a reaction from a disappointing result.
Halkirk manager Ewan McElroy said: "Bonar were almost a completely different team since we last played.
"We knew they had added some new faces and there was not a massive amount in the game for the first 20 minutes. The boys remained patient and going forward we knew we were always likely to create a chance.
"It was good to restore some morale after the heavy defeat down at St Duthus.
"You always want a reaction from a disappointing result. The boys were eager to get the win and played some excellent football in the process.
"We used the whole squad, had a really strong bench and everyone played a part in the win.
"Ben Gordon was superb – technically he has always been very good but he is working hard on the physical side of things and it is starting to pay off.
"Bryan Reid was again asked to play out of position and I thought he was brilliant in the centre of the park next to an ever-improving Mark Webster.
"It was good to see Ross Mackay on the scoresheet. He is the youngest player in the squad and works incredibly hard, both in training and games, and he deserved his goal."
Halkirk will undoubtedly have a tougher task in the next round as they have been drawn at home to face league leaders Invergordon on February 15.
McElroy added: "We want a to perform well in all our remaining games. A cup run would be great but we are under no illusions about the difficult task ahead as we have Invergordon in the next round.
"We have been on the wrong end of a couple heavy defeats and they are obviously running away with the league at the minute.
"We don't have a league fixture this weekend. Our injury list was slowly increasing and with a free week I have given the whole squad the week off from training.
"A short rest will do the boys some good and hopefully they all come back refreshed and ready for our final few games of the season."
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