That was the best I have seen from my team, says Halkirk United boss McElroy after derby win
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Ewan McElroy reckons Saturday's thumping 4-0 win over Thurso was the best display by Halkirk United since he took over as manager more than a year ago.
Aidan Reid scored with two headers, either side of strikes from Korbyn Cameron and Andy Mackay, as the Anglers made an impressive start to their Division One campaign in the North Caledonian League.
The only downside for McElroy was an injury to Reid which will mean another reshuffle in central defence.
The first Caithness derby of the season had been scheduled for the Dammies but was switched to Morrison Park.
"I was delighted with the win but even happier with the work rate and the football on show from the boys," McElroy said. "It was probably the best football I have seen from the group since I started last October.
"The whole squad have been working tremendously hard in training and I was really pleased their performance on Saturday matched this.
"We had to shuffle the squad a little as unfortunately we lost another centre-back, Ryan Sutherland, in midweek. James Mackintosh was again asked to play out of position and I thought he, along with Ian Ross and Aidan Reid, were superb as a back three for the duration.
"We were a constant threat going forward. I thought our front three of Andy Mackay, Kyle Henderson and Jonah Martens linked up really well and their work ethic set the tone for the rest of the team.
"Andy Mackay has been brilliant since he joined – he has worked hard on his fitness and settled in quickly to the squad."
The opener was a bullet header from Reid around the half-hour mark. Martens hit the bar and Henderson also came close before smart link-up play from Halkirk's wide men created the second goal just before half-time.
Stuart Campbell showed quick feet before crossing to the back post where Cameron was on hand to score from close range.
The Anglers extended their lead midway through the second half when a corner from Mackay somehow managed to squirm into the net.
Reid rounded off the scoring after 72 minutes with another solid header.
"Unfortunately Aidan went on to pick up an injury just before the end so now we have three centre-backs out of action," McElroy said.
A "severe lack of communication" was the key factor in Thurso's downfall in the Caithness derby at Morrison Park, according to the Vikings' manager Stevie Reid.
He was unhappy that Aidan Reid was allowed free headers for the first and last of the goals in Halkirk United's 4-0 North Caledonian League victory.
“I just thought it was a bad day for us all over," Reid admitted. "There just seemed to be a bit of uncertainty.
“We changed things round a bit formation-wise, and matters were not helped by our keeper Asa Sinclair pulling out in the morning. It was good of Christie Cannop to help at short notice, fair play to him, but that disrupted things a wee bit.
“We lost James McLean in the first half through an ankle injury and I'm assuming he will be out for a while."
Reid felt that Thurso should have got themselves back in the game after the Anglers' opener.
“On another day Cameron Montgomery could have pulled one back to make it one each," Reid said. "He should really have hit the target.
“The big moments just didn't happen for us in front of goal. You've just got to take it on the chin.
“We have lot of young boys involved now and hopefully they won't be too disheartened by it. We just didn't turn up on the day.
“Communication is the main worry for me at the moment. It is a massive part of the game.”
