Table-topping Anglers want ‘more of the same’ after four wins in a row
Halkirk United manager Ewan McElroy praised the work ethic shown by his players as they kept their North Caledonian League title bid on track with a 2-0 victory over St Duthus in Tain.
It was the Anglers’ fourth win in a row – all away – and they remain six points clear of second-placed Invergordon, although the Easter Ross side have three games in hand.
After 13 victories from 15 games, the leaders will be looking to add three more points to their tally when they take on ninth-placed Bonar Bridge at Morrison Park this weekend.
The opening goal at Grant Park came from Kieran MacGregor on 32 minutes after good work by Stuart Campbell down the right. Neat link-up play resulted in Cameron Montgomery laying the ball off for MacGregor, who cut inside and drilled it home.
Ten minutes later Mark Munro doubled the lead when beat a defender and smashed the ball into the top-right corner.

“The boys were terrific,” McElroy said. “It has been a good couple of weeks for the squad and the work ethic from the group has been commendable.
“It was always going to be a really difficult game. St Duthus are a well-organised outfit – they are a fit and physical group, and we knew they would sit in and be difficult to break down.
“The weather was pretty awful, especially in the second half. Credit to St Duthus, though, the pitch actually held up pretty well and it was really only the last 15 or 20 minutes that things began to cut up and really affect the game.
“The boys played some neat and tidy football in the first half. We moved the ball really well and the energy levels were excellent.
“For me, the highlight was our press and counter-press for the 90 minutes. They put in a power of work off the ball, forced the opposition to go long and never really allowed them to settle.
“We had a chat before the game. After a good performance against Golspie the week before, it was vitally important to continue along the same lines.
“If we were going to be overly critical we probably should have scored a few more. However, with the dismal conditions and good opposition, we are delighted with another three points away from home.”
McElroy added: “We obviously want more of the same this weekend against Bonar Bridge. Bonar have steadily been picking up points both home and away.
“It’s the last game of the year and the aim is to maintain the standards set and hopefully finish the year with another three points to our name.”
Thurso had no game last weekend. The Vikings, who are 10th in the table, are up against Golspie at King George V Park on Saturday.
Golspie won 2-1 when the teams met at the Dammies at the end of October.
The Sutherland outfit had a trio of Caithness scorers – Craig Gunn, Martin Banks and Graham MacNab – in their 3-2 success at Fort William last weekend.
Invergordon kept up their pursuit of Halkirk United with a 5-0 victory over Clachnacuddin “A” at Culloden Academy. Calum Brown scored twice for the champions, with the others coming from James Ross, Cameron Mackintosh and Ally MacDonald.
The Football Times Cup has a new name on it after Inverness Athletic fought back from a goal down to lift the trophy at Dalmore Park.
Athletic ran out 3-1 winners over hosts Alness United as supporters braved the wind and rain.
Iain Ross put the home side in front after eight minutes. Athletic equalised on 32 minutes through Dominic Macaulay and Michael McRobert forced the ball in with 70 minutes gone to put them ahead.
Luke Mackay made sure of victory late on when he hit an opportunistic shot from his own half.
North Caledonian League president Niall Harkiss invited Athletic captain Calum Neil to collect the cup.
Mr Harkiss noted that the trophy was now in its 100th year, and said it was fitting that it should find a new home with a club that had yet to win a trophy in the association.
The cup win is the first senior honour for the Inverness club in its short history since forming in 2016.
Results – North Caledonian League: Clachnacuddin “A” 0, Invergordon 5; St Duthus 0, Halkirk United 2; Fort William 2, Golspie Sutherland 3.
Football Times Cup final: Alness United 1, Inverness Athletic 3.
Fixtures for Saturday, December 14 – North Caledonian League: Bunillidh Thistle v St Duthus; Halkirk United v Bonar Bridge (1pm); Golspie Sutherland v Thurso (1pm); Invergordon v Fort William; Inverness Athletic v Alness United; Orkney v Clachnacuddin “A”.