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Halkirk v Wick Groats (27-04-09)

With both teams winning their opening league fixtures it was to be a tense meeting between Groats and Halkirk. With very little to choose between the teams in last years games it was set to be a close encounter.

A loose pass from the kick off was set to be a sign of things gto come as both teams struggled to keep possession of the ball long enough to mount a quality attack. Groats looked to make the early running getting in behind the Halkirk defense on a few occasions without teasting the keeper. However it was to be the home side who drew first blood.

1^st Goal - Against the run of play Brenda drove forward into midfield finding former Groater Mikie Bremner who expertly slid the ball to Charlie who slotted past Greame into the far corner.

This seemed to kick Groats into action and it wasn't long before Groats could of and should have equalised, some great work from Greg down the left provided a great chance at the ack post for Bones who saw his controlled volley brilliantly saved.

Minutes later Beezer came close thumping the woodwork from a controlled side foot volley that came to him as a result of a headed clearance from a corner. The pressure though soon paid off and it was no surprise when Groats equalised.

1^st Goal - Jimmy was played through on goal one on one with the keeper and after some good reactions from an early shot, Jimmy composed himself and curled the ball past the helpless keeper into the back of the net.

2^nd Goal - Only a few minutes later Jimmy forced Groats into the lead with a sublime chip from 30 yards, finding the space and time to look up and spot the goalie off his line

Half Time - Halkirk 1- Wick Groats 2

Bones was denied a number of times early in the second half; the best chance being an open net from 6 yards as the striker stretcheedv to get on the end of a flick on from Kyle. However, it was a similar combination that got Groats their 2 goal cushion.

3^rd Goal - Bones finally got his goal and put the game beyond Halkirk with Groats third of the game. A long ball was played into the box were Kyle leapt like a salmon above two defenders to nod the ball into his strike partners path and this time Bones'r made no mistake volleying the ball into the back of the net.

Some more good moves from Groats nearly resulted in other goals but it was not to be and Groats were happy to come away with a comfortable win. Not a vintage performance by any means but a much improved spirited second half battle.

Full Time - Halkirk 1- Wick Groats 3