Halkirk vs Wick Groats

Gavin Swanson was booked for this crunching tackle on Graham MacNab

George Groat gives ref Michael McPhee his views on the controversial decision to send off Graham MacNab

Wick Groats beat Halkirk 3-2 in Halkirk tonight. Groats started brightly and had 3 good chances in the first 10 mins before Halkirk stunned them by scoring with their first real attack. Gavin Sutherland collected the ball wide on the right and smashed the ball over trialist keeper Graeme Miller into the far corner. A contender for the goal of the season.

Groats went to pieces after that and Halkirk rattled them for the rest of the half, but neither side created any good chances. Grant MacNab had to be substituted after 20 mins after receiving a nasty head knock.

The half-time talk by manager George Groat worked wonders and Groats scored after only 20 secs. A ball across the face of the goal was swept in at the far post. Groats scored again after 4 minutes. A ball from out wide and into the box found an unmarked forward, who had an easy shot past Lee Allan. For all the goals I was at the wrong end!

Two minutes later the Groats team and management were stunned when Graham MacNab was sent off. Nobody seemed to know why. George Groat was very restrained when he asked ref Michael McPhee to explain the decision.

I had to leave after 20 mins of the 2nd half and as I was walking to the car Groats scored their 3rd. Left back Chris Taylor latched onto a defence splitting pass and slotted the ball past Lee Allan low into the corner. Lee Elder scored the second for Halkirk from a penalty.

Other scores;

John O'Groats 1-4 Pentland Utd
Acks 2 - 4 Castletown
Thistle 0-4 Staxigoe
Watten 2-15 Swifts
Keiss 8-1 FSC
High Ormlie Hotspurs 3-7 Top Joes
Rovers 0-6 Lybster