Post by Michael Gray on Aug 8, 2008 15:56:02 GMT
Well it had come down to the very last game due to Groats victory the previous night United knew only a win would suffice and after an nervy early defensive display United turned in a fine attacking performance to take the title for 2008. It was always going to be a this way given what was at stake but James Murray had the perfect opportunity to settle the nerves after 4 mins racing on to an Aarron Smith through ball the first touch on his right foot was good but he rather pulled his left foot shot wide of the right hand post with the keeper beaten. However the youngster was to make an amends after 9 minutes when he duly opened the scoring after Grant Budge released Aarron Smith down the right and he whipped in a wicked cross for Murray to volley into the roof of the net from 8 yards. They should have stretched that lead minutes later when Lee Sutherland burst into the box on to the end of a fine passing move but Robertson spread himself well at the feet of the midfielder to save. The magnitude of the miss was further highlighted after 12 mins when Rovers equalised and it was all about the perseverance of Reid who smuggled the ball from Bell down the right before crossing for Duffy who never broke stride before bending a fine shot round Gray from the penalty spot. United were rocked the jitters started to appear especially in a defence who had been so solid in previous games but now suddenly struggling to pick passes and Rovers sensed it goalscorer Duffy tested Gray from fully 20 yards with a dipping volley. Quick thinking after 20 mins saw Grant Budge race to the byeline on to a nice little move involving Farquhar and Murray the former Lybster man cut the ball right across the goal line with Darryn Mackay making a desperate lunge to apply the final touch. Calm was restore a little on 30 mins when Budge beat Robertson to Gray’s long kick and knock the ball passed the keeper setting up a massive scramble, which resulted in Tony Farquhar prodding the ball home after Colin Davidson had made a desperate attempt to retrieve the situation. Still Rovers battled away and you always got the feeling a one goal advantage was never going to be enough. Tony Farquhar was keen to add to his personal tally but his shot went high and wide from a very tight angle after James Murray had played in the big striker however a cutback probably would have been the better option. The game had opened out into a pretty exciting game both teams playing with the philosophy that attack is the best form of defence with Reid and Little proving a handful for the United rearguard who had reverted from a 3 into a 4 to try make things a little more difficult for their opponents.
Half time
Rovers 1-2 Pentland United
United suffered an early injury blow when James Murray picked up a thigh strain and had to be replaced by Jimmy Budge less than 10 minutes into the half but the big striker had a pivotal role in the third goal on 65 mins picking the ball up from Darryn Mackay 30 yards out he lofted a quite brilliant cross to Farquhar who was lurking at the far post and he deftly headered the ball over the stranded Robertson. With a two goal cushion it was assumed United would relax and finish off the job but Rovers had other ideas and Alan Sinclair in particular. Less than 5 minutes after Rovers roared back into the game when the sweeper strode out of the centre circle passed some half hearted challenges before clipping a great ball over the top for Reid to finish with a left foot rocket of a volley. Once again the nerves re-surfaced and again Rovers tried to seize the initiative with Macleod shooting low and hard from 25 yards but Gray always seemed confident it wasn’t on target. The next goal was going to be crucial and when it came it was worthy of winning any match, Bell won the ball strongly on the halfway line before feeding Jimmy Budge who wriggled free down the left and headed towards the box before cutting the ball back for Darryn Mackay who from the corner of the area bent a superb right foot shot passed the diving keeper. It was a significant blow and finally United sensed that victory was within their grasps and the slowly started to turn the screw and any lingering doubts were dispelled by a flying header from Jimmy Budge after great work down the right by his brother Grant who raced away from Davidson before whipping in a tantalising far post cross for the super sub to power home from 8 yards with just over 10 mins remaining. Rovers were rocking now and United continued to try and press home the advantage in the wide areas. Budge thought he had burst clear again when Aarron Smith picked him out with a fine pass from the right back area but assistant referee Gunn ruled Farquhar had interfered wit play by initially making a motion to the ball even though it was the substitute who collected the ball. The The cream was applied to the cake in the last 5 minutes and it was all about the perseverance of Darryn Mackay down the left bursting passed a couple of challenges he raced to the byeline before driving the ball across goal for the inrushing substitute Thain to bundle over from close range. There was still time for Grant Budge to clip the cross bar after another bounding run down the right he attempted to whip in another far post cross, which beat Robertson but the bar came to the keeper’s rescue
Full time
Rovers 2-6 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5 A Smith 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (c) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar (B Thain 78) 10. J Murray (J Budge 55) 11. G Budge
Subs not used
D Manson
G Mackenzie
View from the goal
A fitting reward for what has been a tremendous league campaign given the average age of the squad and with so many new faces you would have got long odds on this achievement. However as great a reward is as winning the league has been we have no time to rest on our laurels Saturday brings the Highland Amateur Cup Final in what is sure to be a great occasion although we cannot be seen to show as much nerves or Castletown will capitalise.
Half time
Rovers 1-2 Pentland United
United suffered an early injury blow when James Murray picked up a thigh strain and had to be replaced by Jimmy Budge less than 10 minutes into the half but the big striker had a pivotal role in the third goal on 65 mins picking the ball up from Darryn Mackay 30 yards out he lofted a quite brilliant cross to Farquhar who was lurking at the far post and he deftly headered the ball over the stranded Robertson. With a two goal cushion it was assumed United would relax and finish off the job but Rovers had other ideas and Alan Sinclair in particular. Less than 5 minutes after Rovers roared back into the game when the sweeper strode out of the centre circle passed some half hearted challenges before clipping a great ball over the top for Reid to finish with a left foot rocket of a volley. Once again the nerves re-surfaced and again Rovers tried to seize the initiative with Macleod shooting low and hard from 25 yards but Gray always seemed confident it wasn’t on target. The next goal was going to be crucial and when it came it was worthy of winning any match, Bell won the ball strongly on the halfway line before feeding Jimmy Budge who wriggled free down the left and headed towards the box before cutting the ball back for Darryn Mackay who from the corner of the area bent a superb right foot shot passed the diving keeper. It was a significant blow and finally United sensed that victory was within their grasps and the slowly started to turn the screw and any lingering doubts were dispelled by a flying header from Jimmy Budge after great work down the right by his brother Grant who raced away from Davidson before whipping in a tantalising far post cross for the super sub to power home from 8 yards with just over 10 mins remaining. Rovers were rocking now and United continued to try and press home the advantage in the wide areas. Budge thought he had burst clear again when Aarron Smith picked him out with a fine pass from the right back area but assistant referee Gunn ruled Farquhar had interfered wit play by initially making a motion to the ball even though it was the substitute who collected the ball. The The cream was applied to the cake in the last 5 minutes and it was all about the perseverance of Darryn Mackay down the left bursting passed a couple of challenges he raced to the byeline before driving the ball across goal for the inrushing substitute Thain to bundle over from close range. There was still time for Grant Budge to clip the cross bar after another bounding run down the right he attempted to whip in another far post cross, which beat Robertson but the bar came to the keeper’s rescue
Full time
Rovers 2-6 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5 A Smith 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (c) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar (B Thain 78) 10. J Murray (J Budge 55) 11. G Budge
Subs not used
D Manson
G Mackenzie
View from the goal
A fitting reward for what has been a tremendous league campaign given the average age of the squad and with so many new faces you would have got long odds on this achievement. However as great a reward is as winning the league has been we have no time to rest on our laurels Saturday brings the Highland Amateur Cup Final in what is sure to be a great occasion although we cannot be seen to show as much nerves or Castletown will capitalise.