Halkirk United aiming for greater consistency this season, says McElroy after derby win
Manager Ewan McElroy believes Halkirk United will be more than a match for any team in the North Caledonian League – if they can achieve greater consistency than last season.
The Anglers began their 2023/24 campaign with a 2-0 victory over Thurso at Morrison Park on Wednesday night with goals from Jonah Martens and Andy Mackay in a six-minute spell either side of the half-hour mark. James Mackintosh, one of several summer signings, provided both assists.
"I'm delighted," McElroy said. "As soon as the first whistle went the boys' attitude and commitment was brilliant.
"I thought we controlled most of the game. Thurso are a good team, they've got plenty of good players there, but possession-wise and tempo-wise I just thought we were bang on.
"I'm really pleased with the boys that we've brought in. It's particularly pleasing that we've seen some boys return to the club as well.
"Although we've lost a couple of players – it happens every year – I'm delighted with the fresh faces, and the boys that have come in have settled really quickly."
Asked whether he feels Halkirk United can mount a title challenge this season, McElroy said: "That's the goal, but it's easier said than done. We really lacked any consistency last year and anyone can see that the top six in particular are really strong, strong teams.
"I would like to think on our day we're more than a match for anyone in the league. But it's about finding that consistency and I think you need a really healthy, competitive squad in order to do that."
The Anglers could be short of a few players when they travel to take on Alness United on Saturday in a Football Times Cup first-round tie.
Thurso will need a little longer to adjust to the changeover from summer to winter football, according to their manager Michael Bremner.
The Vikings had a superb 4-2 victory over Alness United in their opening North Caledonian League game on Saturday but didn't carry enough threat at Morrison Park in midweek as they lost 2-0 to Halkirk United.
Bremner had 15 players missing from his squad.
"It was not a good night," he said. "We didn't really create much. We're trying to play a bit more football out from the back, and we're doing it well in our own half but we're not doing it well in the opposition half.
"Going forward we need to work a bit more on that."
The Vikings take on Inverness Athletic at North Kessock on Saturday in a Football Times Cup tie.
Bremner said: "We're struggling to get a team just now – I think everybody is in the same boat. It's the crossover from summer to winter and people's heads are maybe not in it yet. Hopefully it'll come.
"A cup run would be magic. That's what our aim was at the start of the season – to be higher than we were last year and hopefully get a run in the cups.
"We take each game week by week because we never know what squad we're going to have."
In the other Wednesday night fixture, Golspie won 2-0 at home to St Duthus with goals from James Ross (penalty) and Korbyn Cameron.
North Caledonian League results: Fort William 7, Orkney 1; Golspie Sutherland 2, St Duthus 0; Halkirk United 2, Thurso 0; Inverness Athletic 2, Bonar Bridge 5; Loch Ness 5, Clachnacuddin "A" 0; Thurso 4, Alness United 2.
Fixtures for Saturday, August 26 – League: Orkney v Clachnacuddin "A". Football Times Cup: Alness United v Halkirk United (2pm); Bonar Bridge v St Duthus; Fort William v Golspie Sutherland; Invergordon v Loch Ness; Inverness Athletic v Thurso (2pm).
