TEN-MAN Muir of Ord Rovers suffered a cup KO cup when they were beaten 3-0 by SWL semifinal opponents Halkirk United at Recreation Park last Saturday.
Rovers were already 2-0 down when Daryl Henderson saw red against the Anglers for the second time this season. But any hopes of a comeback were dispelled with Henderson's dismissal and the home side added salt to the wound when they score a third goal near the end.
Halkirk had the better of the first half and they deservedly took the lead just before half time when Martin Banks shrugged off his marker and rounded the keeper to score.
Alan Larnach doubled the lead in the 63rd minute when he found the top corner of the net with a blistering shot from outside the 18-yard box.
Rovers' hopes of staging a fightback were all but over when Henderson was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident.
The home side finished strongly and Chris Sutherland added goal number three in the final minute when he scored at the second attempt.
The other scheduled semifinal tie, between Alness United and Dingwall Thistle was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The tie has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 18.
In the only league match of the day, Golspie Sutherland moved up to joint-fourth place after a 2-0 victory against Clachnacuddin at the Bught Park.
Shane Sutherland scored in either half to secure the points for Golspie.
DINGWALL Thistle are hoping to get back into action tomorrow (Saturday) when they are due to play Golspie Sutherland in what is considered to be a "must win" match for both sides.
Honours are even this season with both teams having registered a win apiece. Golspie defeated Thistle 4-0 in the league in Dingwall earlier in the season, but Thistle hit back with a 3-1 cup win.
Thistle manager, Alan Gair told the Ross-shire Journal, "It is always difficult against Golspie but we have a good record up there. Like ourselves, Golspie are still in with a shout of winning the league so both teams will be going all out for the three points it should be a good game."
Thistle will be without goalkeeper Neil MacKay, who has work commitments, and Steve Hyslop returns to goal. Martin MacLean and Martin Godwin are both unavailable, while Stuart Murray is still a doubt with a knee injury. Craig Stuart has recovered from a knock.
Golspie are expected to be along the same lines as last week with Mark McKernie still on the injury list.
Muir of Ord Rovers will be looking to keep the pressure on leaders Halkirk United with a victory over Alness United at Dalmore Park.
Kevin Leitch is unavailable for Rovers, while Gillies MacKenzie is still struggling with a hamstring injury.
However, on-form Alness have signed former Golspie Sutherland and Inverness City defender Stuart Thompson, while David Murray and Shaun Robertson are available again.
Elsewhere, Balintore host Clachnacuddin at Seaboard Park, while Thurso have home advantage against Halkirk United at Sir George's Park.
Fixtures - Saturday, December 10 - League - Alness United v Muir of Ord Rovers; Balintore v Clachnacuddin; Golspie Sutherland v Dingwall Thistle; Thurso v Halkirk United.
