Post by Michael Gray on Jun 10, 2008 16:34:52 GMT
United progressed into the Eann Macintosh Cup Final after tense affair at Ham Park last night the odd goal in three allowed the Dunnet side to overcome the reining league champions. The home side made a blistering start to the game forcing Castletown on to the back foot from the first whistle and only a quite superb stop from Sinclair seemingly stopped Farquhar from breaking the deadlock after 5 mins but referee Makhouli ruled the effort offside. However United were ahead inside ten minutes and it was in down to the endeavour of Murray, Thain did well on half way to break up play and sent the wide man down the right v Macgill, he brilliantly stepped away from his marker before arching a cross to the back post where Farquhar with the greatest of skill looped a header back over the keeper into the net for a quite superb opener. United were well on top now and Granty Budge almost added a second within minutes bursting into the box but his finish lacked precision. Castletown are of course reigning Champions in Caithness and it was obvious they weren’t going down without a fight and they almost equalised after quarter of an hour when Gray made a meal of a Nicholson corner scrambling to punch the ball off the line it found the head of Macdonald who forced the ball goalwards but the keeper reacted quickly enough to recover the situation. However it was the Dunnet side that held the ascendancy and their neighbours from across the bay were very worried by Murray who had started so positively with Macgill and Henderson both picking up bookings for challenges on the talented youngster. The rough treatment never deterred the young man however when he doubled the advantage on 20 mins, Gary Mackay fed a high ball into Farquhar who was bundled to the ground by a combination of Florence and Macgill. Referee Makhouli awarded the freekick and Murray stepped up to blast the ball low past the despairing Sinclair from 20 yards for a lead United richly deserved. The Dunnet side continued to boss proceedings with Darren Mackay, Lee Sutherland and skipper Inrig snuffing out the threat of Nicholson, Henderson and Macleod in midfield. However the game started to change on the half hour there was no real defining point but suddenly the balance of power switched, Sutherland missed a great chance after around 32 mins when slipped in by Nicholson but his tame effort was smothered by Gray on his 6 yard line however the striker made amends 5 minutes later with a quite brilliant finish and it came out of nothing really Gavin Henderson seemingly lost possession in the middle of the park but as Inrig and Thain looked at each other he strode forward to set Sutherland off down the right channel there seemed little danger as the ball bounced up 25 yards from goal on the angle but the young striker hit a rasping volley over the head of Gray into the roof of the net to hand Castletown a life line. United were rattled and the composure and confidence they had displayed earlier started to drift away although possibly the Castletown pressing game had been stepped up considerably was now playing its part. The visitors ended the half the better team but United still held the one goal advantage although playing up the slope they held the wind advantage, which was considerable.
Half time
Pentland United 2-1 Castletown
Any hope the poor weather would dissipate was quickly dispelled as the players leaving the tunnel ok ok doorway were met with another heavy shower. The second half started pretty much as the first had ended United failing to retain any quality possession and Castletown holding the territorial advantage. The first opportunity of the half fell to Gavin Henderson 25 yards out he tried to bend the ball goalwards but such was the wind the attempt ended up more like a cross and led to a foot race between Gray and Macleod to recover the loose ball which ended with the keeper diving full length to smother the ball just inside his area. Alan Farquhar is definitely the heartbeat of the Castletown team and he again was showing great composure and awareness linking up the play but he was also a threat in the box firstly he appealed loudly for a handball when his shot hit Grant Steven but given his claims weren’t endorsed by his team mates suggests Mr Makhouli’s decision was spot on. The striker then had another opportunity after Shearer and Nicholson had linked well down the right culminating in the latter whipping a near post cross that saw Farquhar win the ball under pressure from Steven but again the effort drifted away from goal. Tony Farquhar responded for United brilliantly turning Florence 25 yards from goal he sent in a bending shot that Sinclair palmed down then gathered on his goal line. United it seemed had weathered the early storm and the game started to even out a little although the balance probably still favoured Castletown the Dunnet side were now posing a threat but James Murray wasted two corners in quick session as United tried to apply some pressure and nick the goal that would settle any nerves. The United backline were working flat out to match the movement of the Castletown offensive line, Thain did particularly well to come round and cover the danger after Henderson had looked to free up Sutherland 30 yards from goal on the hour mark. The full back was then on the receiving end of another cynical foul this time Macleod was the culprit with a blatant trip after Thain had stepped inside the midfielders initial challenge. Keeper Gray had to look lively after 65 mins when he was forces to sprint from his box to clear another through ball within 10 mins he was forced again into drastic action this time with a full length sliding challenge to thwart the encroaching Farquhar who was fractionally away from nicking the ball passed the keeper. Darren Mackay tried to alleviate the pressure with a great run down the left on to a Lee Sutherland pass but Sinclair gathered the cross at the near post. United were forced into a change with 10 mins left when Thain limped out of the action to be replaced by holiday maker Derek Manson, minutes later manager Gray shuffled again replacing the tiring Farquhar who had been at the races all weekend but not the night only joking but it was a gamble playing I am on a roll he was a contender for man of the match but was beaten at the post enough clichés he was whipped off and Jimmy Budge replaced immediately having an effect winning a high ball to release brother Grant but the attack was snuffed out by some resilient defending by Florence. The remainder of the game was played out with Castletown still enjoying the majority of possession and the ball but struggling to create the all important goal scoring opportunity especially with Grant Steven having another storming display at centre half.
Full time
Pentland United 2-1 Castletown
1. M Gray 2. B Thain (Manson 82) 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. G Mackay 6. D Mackay 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig (c) 9. G Budge 10. T Farquhar (J Budge 85) 11. J Murray
Sub not used
G Mackenzie
View from the goal
Nice to be in another Cup Final played so well in the first half hour but rather lost our way afterwards for the quarter of an hour either side of half time but competed well in final period although should have shown more composure and quality on the ball. We knew Castletown would be a tough nut to crack and that is the way it turned out but full credit to the troops again for another dogged display we now move to another very tough fixture in Wick where we will have to try and overcome the Rovers who have already beaten us in the league once this season.
Half time
Pentland United 2-1 Castletown
Any hope the poor weather would dissipate was quickly dispelled as the players leaving the tunnel ok ok doorway were met with another heavy shower. The second half started pretty much as the first had ended United failing to retain any quality possession and Castletown holding the territorial advantage. The first opportunity of the half fell to Gavin Henderson 25 yards out he tried to bend the ball goalwards but such was the wind the attempt ended up more like a cross and led to a foot race between Gray and Macleod to recover the loose ball which ended with the keeper diving full length to smother the ball just inside his area. Alan Farquhar is definitely the heartbeat of the Castletown team and he again was showing great composure and awareness linking up the play but he was also a threat in the box firstly he appealed loudly for a handball when his shot hit Grant Steven but given his claims weren’t endorsed by his team mates suggests Mr Makhouli’s decision was spot on. The striker then had another opportunity after Shearer and Nicholson had linked well down the right culminating in the latter whipping a near post cross that saw Farquhar win the ball under pressure from Steven but again the effort drifted away from goal. Tony Farquhar responded for United brilliantly turning Florence 25 yards from goal he sent in a bending shot that Sinclair palmed down then gathered on his goal line. United it seemed had weathered the early storm and the game started to even out a little although the balance probably still favoured Castletown the Dunnet side were now posing a threat but James Murray wasted two corners in quick session as United tried to apply some pressure and nick the goal that would settle any nerves. The United backline were working flat out to match the movement of the Castletown offensive line, Thain did particularly well to come round and cover the danger after Henderson had looked to free up Sutherland 30 yards from goal on the hour mark. The full back was then on the receiving end of another cynical foul this time Macleod was the culprit with a blatant trip after Thain had stepped inside the midfielders initial challenge. Keeper Gray had to look lively after 65 mins when he was forces to sprint from his box to clear another through ball within 10 mins he was forced again into drastic action this time with a full length sliding challenge to thwart the encroaching Farquhar who was fractionally away from nicking the ball passed the keeper. Darren Mackay tried to alleviate the pressure with a great run down the left on to a Lee Sutherland pass but Sinclair gathered the cross at the near post. United were forced into a change with 10 mins left when Thain limped out of the action to be replaced by holiday maker Derek Manson, minutes later manager Gray shuffled again replacing the tiring Farquhar who had been at the races all weekend but not the night only joking but it was a gamble playing I am on a roll he was a contender for man of the match but was beaten at the post enough clichés he was whipped off and Jimmy Budge replaced immediately having an effect winning a high ball to release brother Grant but the attack was snuffed out by some resilient defending by Florence. The remainder of the game was played out with Castletown still enjoying the majority of possession and the ball but struggling to create the all important goal scoring opportunity especially with Grant Steven having another storming display at centre half.
Full time
Pentland United 2-1 Castletown
1. M Gray 2. B Thain (Manson 82) 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. G Mackay 6. D Mackay 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig (c) 9. G Budge 10. T Farquhar (J Budge 85) 11. J Murray
Sub not used
G Mackenzie
View from the goal
Nice to be in another Cup Final played so well in the first half hour but rather lost our way afterwards for the quarter of an hour either side of half time but competed well in final period although should have shown more composure and quality on the ball. We knew Castletown would be a tough nut to crack and that is the way it turned out but full credit to the troops again for another dogged display we now move to another very tough fixture in Wick where we will have to try and overcome the Rovers who have already beaten us in the league once this season.