Inverness Athletic improved by loanees, but still fall to Halkirk United
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INVERNESS Athletic manager Jason Golabek felt his side deserved at least a point from their 3-2 defeat against fellow North Caledonian League opponents Halkirk United at Morrison Park.
Athletic twice came from behind in the match and looked the more likely to go on and win it when an own-goal sealed their fate.
“I felt the boys did enough to merit a draw,” said the Athletic boss.
“There was lots of positives to take from the game.
“The energy and the workrate was excellent – the best I’ve seen for weeks. Apart from the result I was pretty pleased with what I saw.”
He added: “There was only one team in it in the second half.
“Halkirk weren’t really in the game at that stage, but they got a corner and scored from it.
“That’s out luck at the moment, in fact, it pretty well sums up our season so far.”
James Mackintosh gave the home side the lead in the 14th minute but Seamus McConaghy – one of four new loan signings from Nairn County – levelled with a 30-yard screamer.
Kyle Henderson restored Halkirk’s lead shortly afterwards after some poor defending, but Athletic dominated the second half and Craig Munro, another new signing, squared matters.
There looked to be only one winner at this stage. Phil MacDonald and Liam Symonds were both denied by the woodwork and the visitors had two goals chalked off for off-side.
But in a rare attack Ewan Bradley ended up sticking the ball in his own net following a corner kick.
On a positive note Athletic boosted their squad with the capture of four on-loan signings from Nairn County at the end of last week.
Apart from goalscorers McConaghy and Munro, Ryan Macdonald and Jack Maclean have been added to the squad, while Dominick Edwards’ loan from Clachnacuddin has been made permanent.
“These boys will certainly improve us going forward for the rest of the season, they made a big difference,” said Golabek.
In the only other match to go ahead, Golspie Sutherland defeated St Duthus 3-2.
