Halkirk United assistant manager expects ‘lots of twists and turns’ in North Caley title race
Halkirk United assistant manager Liam Anderson is convinced the North Caledonian League title race will go down to the wire this season.
The Anglers remain six points clear at the top of the table after last weekend’s 6-0 victory over bottom team Bunillidh Thistle in Helmsdale, but the three sides leading the chasing pack – Invergordon, Golspie Sutherland and Inverness Athletic – all have games in hand.
“Getting back to winning ways was crucial,” Anderson said. “The boys were disappointed with their performance and the result against Golspie [a 2-1 home defeat] and we were all determined to put things right.
“The league is so competitive at the moment – you have teams like Invergordon, Golspie and Inverness who are all winning most weeks and continuing to raise the bar, but every team has the ability to take points from anyone in the league.
“I’m sure there will be lots of twists and turns yet and it will go down to the wire.”
Mark Munro scored a first-half hat-trick, including one from the penalty spot, with Kuba Koziol and Innes Mackintosh also on target as the Anglers led 5-0 at the break at Couper Park. James Mackintosh completed the scoring early in the second period.
Anderson said: “With Bunillidh getting their first win the week before, we knew spirits would be high in their camp and we would have to work for the three points.
“The boys played well on a difficult pitch. We dominated possession from start to finish and should really have scored more in the first half.
“Innes Mackintosh scored a lovely goal, cutting in from the right-hand side to fire into the bottom corner from outside the box.
“It was great to welcome back Stewart Atkins into the team after a bit of time out with an injury and it was Sean Campbell’s first game for us. He brought brilliant energy, work rate and quality to the starting eleven.”
Halkirk United will be looking to continue their impeccable away form in the league when they travel to eighth-placed Fort William on Saturday.
“It’s always a tough place to go, and it can be a difficult surface at times, but we will be going into it strong and confident,” Anderson said.
“We are missing our top goalscorer Jonah Martens for this one and we will need to assess Conor Farquhar as he came off early in the second half on Saturday with an injury.
“Long-term absentee Luke Manson is still missing but is getting closer to returning.
“Our away form has been good this season so we are hoping to keep that going, but again we are expecting a tough game and our squad will need to be focused and determined to get the three points.”
North Caledonian League results: Bonar Bridge 3, Clachnacuddin “A” 1; Bunillidh Thistle 0, Halkirk United 6; Golspie Sutherland 2, Orkney 0; Inverness Athletic 1, Invergordon 3; St Duthus 1, Alness United 1; Thurso 2, Fort William 3.
North Caledonian League fixtures for Saturday, November 16: Alness United v Thurso (1pm); Clachnacuddin “A” v Golspie Sutherland; Fort William v Halkirk United (1pm); Invergordon v St Duthus; Inverness Athletic v Bonar Bridge; Orkney v Bunillidh Thistle.
