We have shown we can compete with any team, insists Halkirk United manager
Halkirk United manager Ewan McElroy says the club is benefiting from a strong and committed squad of players backed by a "supportive and proactive" committee.
He believes the Anglers have shown they can compete with any team in the North Caledonian League and is confident they will keep improving.
It took Halkirk United a while to get into their stride in 2022/23, not helped by the overlap between the end of the Caithness summer season and the start of the North Caley campaign.
"It’s been a bit up and down, in all honesty," McElroy said. "We knew it was going to be a really difficult start to the season, especially with the crossover between summer and winter.
"It’s difficult to realise the extent until you actually experience it. It was difficult to prepare properly with the bulk of the squad – myself and Liam Sutherland included – involved in the Highland Amateur Cup final and the lack of a pre-season likely impacted both Caithness teams to a degree.
"All you can do is learn and move forward."
The Anglers are eighth in the table, one of six teams on the 21-point mark.
"We have shown that we can compete with any team in the league," McElroy said. "We have played some excellent football in parts.
"It’s impossible to predict the number of injuries we have seen this season but the foundations are certainly in place and if we can tweak things in a couple areas I have no doubt we will continue to improve and push on."
In terms of targets in the remaining months of the season, McElroy said: "There is always room for improvement. You always want to gain as many points as possible in the league and have mini-targets as you go.
"The majority of clubs will have an eye on the cup competition into the new year.
"We have seen some significant changes behind the scenes this year and I think we are now in a good place to push on. We have a strong and committed core group of boys and just as importantly we have a really supportive and proactive committee now in place behind the scenes who are keen to push the club on and build for the future.
"I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who donated and was involved in our hugely successful Christmas raffle, spearheaded by Jock Mackay. Similarly, those connected with the club would like to wish everyone good health into the new year."
The Anglers' next match is at home to Nairn County “A” on January 7.