Cup final target for Anglers after missing out on North Caley title
Reaching the North Caledonian Cup final would give Halkirk United a “huge boost” after missing out narrowly on the league title, according to assistant manager Liam Anderson.
The Anglers face a tough assignment in Saturday’s semi-final away to Invergordon, a week after the Easter Ross were crowned as North Caley champions for the second season in a row.
They are the first club to retain the title since Halkirk United in 2012.
“I think if we were to make it through to the cup final it would give everyone a huge boost and a match to look forward to after the disappointment of missing out on the league title,” Anderson said. “But we need to get past the league champions first and foremost.
“Invergordon are such a well-organised team but I don’t think there is much between the two sides. We firmly believe we can beat anyone in the league, but only if we approach games with the right mentality and play the way we know we can.”
The Anglers progressed to the last four with a 3-0 quarter-final victory over Alness United at Morrison Park a fortnight ago, thanks to an early goal by Jonah Martens and a second-half double from Cameron Montgomery.
Although they have had to settle for being second best in the title race, the Anglers can draw confidence from being the only team to take points from Invergordon during the 2024/25 league campaign – with two clean sheets for good measure.
Halkirk United won 2-0 when the sides met in Invergordon in September. The return fixture at Morrison Park in February ended in a goalless draw.
Invergordon made sure of the championship with a 6-0 victory over Thurso at the Recreation Grounds on Saturday.
It means there will be a place in next season’s Scottish Cup preliminary round for Gary Campbell’s men, who have now won the league four times in the past nine years.
Ben Bruce scored a hat-trick with the other goals coming from Calum Brown, Cameron Mackintosh and Callum Murray.
Invergordon coach Shaun Kerr praised his side’s winning mentality.
“It feels brilliant,” he said. “It’s what you set out to do at the start of the season. The boys have been fantastic.
“We’ve lost just one league game all season, so it’s great to finally get it over the line.”
Kerr added that promotion is now the club’s target.
“Promotion is certainly where we want to go,” he said. “It’s our aim to try to get into the Highland League, and hopefully we can get there as soon as possible.”
Thurso manager Tom McKenna said: “I’ve got to commend the players on their performance and their bravery. I was really proud of them – from the first whistle to the end they never gave up.
“It was kind of backs-to-the-wall but they defended with a lot of courage and determination.”
The Vikings, who are second from bottom, will round off their campaign with a rearranged basement battle at home to Bunillidh Thistle on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a difficult task,” McKenna said. “I’m just hoping we get good numbers for Saturday and can come away with a positive result.”
St Duthus beat Inverness Athletic 2-0 at North Kessock, while Fort William overcame Clachnacuddin “A” 2-1 at Claggan Park to claim three points and the Simon Shields Memorial Trophy.
Results – North Caledonian League: Fort William 2, Clachnacuddin “A” 1; Invergordon 6, Thurso 0; Inverness Athletic 0, St Duthus 2.
Fixtures – Saturday, March 29 – North Caledonian Cup, semi-finals: Golspie Sutherland v Inverness Athletic; Invergordon v Halkirk United (2pm).
North Caledonian League: Thurso v Bunillidh Thistle (2pm).
Saturday, April 5 – North Caledonian League: Bunillidh Thistle v Inverness Athletic; Halkirk United v Orkney (12.45); St Duthus v Invergordon.
Saturday, April 12 – North Caledonian League: Orkney v Bunillidh Thistle.
North Caledonian Cup final date to be confirmed.