Post by Michael Gray on Apr 15, 2005 7:19:57 GMT
United slipped to a disappointing 2-1 defeat against a stubborn JOG side at Ham Park last night. The result puts a huge dent in the champion’s hopes of retaining the title while giving their north coast rivals an enormous boost. It all started promisingly for the home side slick passing and good movement, which was all pleasing to the eye failing to make the vital break through. Ross Sutherland had the best early chance when he met a Nichol cross at the back post but his powerful header was touched away by Henderson from underneath the bar. Trialist Niall Murray then had a powerful volley from the edge of the box well held by Henderson as United tried to build on their decent start to the game although the visitors were coping well and in particular Stephen and S Sinclair at the back were having fine games. The visitors took the lead against the run of play when an attempted shot from Fearns found its way into the path of Michael Stephen who wasted no time in dispatching a sweet drive past the motionless Gray in the home goal. This stung United into action Bremner picked out Nichol with a beautifully arched pass down the right and his centre only narrowly missed the outstretched leg of Cassidy. Willie Inrig who was prominent throughout the half with probing passes let fly on the half volley and the ball looked goal bound all the way until it struck the shoulder of Green. Although they were coming under an increasing amount of pressure the visitors were making regular forays into United territory the impressive Robertson who showed great energy throughout tried his luck from 20 yards but his drive was to straight on the half hour mark again served notice to the home side. Ross Sutherland got himself in a tangle with Fearns over on the left touchline and much to the dismay of the midfielder referee Arrowsmith adjudged it worthy of a caution. However minutes later the scores were level Inrig and Bremner linked well releasing Nichol down the right who played in a superb cross to Cassidy who controlled the pass then bulleted the shot goalwards, which went via a despairing lunge on the line from Stephen. United really upped the tempo then Nichol finding Cassidy on the run but his powerful shot was too straight to beat Henderson then the same player linked up brilliantly with Murray and Nichol but again Henderson was equal to the task knocking the ball away with his feet. John O’Groats had the only other real effort of the half when goalscorer Stephen again found space but his drive this time lacked the venom of his previous counter.
Half time
Pentland United 1-1 JOG
The second half was minutes old when United slipped behind again in cruel circumstances, Stephen linked up well with M Sinclair down the right and played in a dangerous cross, which Farmer half cleared as far as Boyd who in attempting to complete the clearance only succeeded in finding his own net. The mood of the game visibly changed and the home side so composed and assured in the first half started to look a little ragged. The game eventually set into a pattern of intense pressure from the Ham park men pouring forward at every opening and when Henderson made his only mistake of the game letting a Nichol drive spill from his grasp Green recovered to clear the ball from the line as Cassidy waited to pounce. Last year’s top scorer Nichol just failed to get enough direction on a wicked Bremner freekick swung in from the right and Henderson gratefully held on as United took every opportunity to hem the visitors in. The game continued to be played deep in the John O’Groats territory although they did try and break at every opportunity. Another Bremner set-piece this time a corner saw Boyd power the ball goal wards only for it to be stopped on the line again and then no fewer than 4 attempts at goal were repelled as a sense maybe it just wasn’t to be United’s night started to sweep around. With just under fifteen minutes Ross Sutherland broke into the box picking up a Willie Inrig pass but S Sinclair’s last gasp lunge just prevented the midfield man a shot on goal. The resultant long throw brought huge appeals from the home support when Fearns appeared to push Boyd the ground with two hands but referee Arrowsmith had other ideas. A late surge into the box from Willie Inrig brought him clear but the ball just wouldn’t come out from under his feet and the chance was snuffled out as the attacks became increasingly desperate. However the best chance of the night fell to substitute Beattie only on the park a matter of minutes replacing the tiring Cassidy he raced on to a beautifully flighted ball from B Gray but only succeeded in steering the ball the wrong side of the post. With minutes left the United cause was further hampered when Sutherland picked up his second booking after challenging Stephen on the touchline a harsh decision to say the least considering some of the other challenges that had gone on. The drifted away and Bremner tried one desperate effort from long range but it never looked like troubling Henderson.
Full time
Pentland United 1-2 JOG
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. G Bremner 7. R Sutherland 8. W Inrig 9. M Nichol 10. L Cassidy (R Beattie 80) 11. N Murray
Subs not used
G Mackay, D Manson
View from the goal
Well a nightmare start to the campaign I actually thought we played some great stuff in the first half especially cutting them open at will but if you don’t take your chances then you don’t win games. I am sure there will be a few jumping on the bandwagon now suggesting we are finished and we may not win anything this year but it will not be through a lack of effort on our part. We still have a good team regardless of what people are saying and will bounce back from this disappointment. To win games you always need a degree of good fortune unfortunately we were sadly devoid of that on Wednesday. However we must pick ourselves up and get off the mark against the Ashes next Wednesday and take things from there.
Half time
Pentland United 1-1 JOG
The second half was minutes old when United slipped behind again in cruel circumstances, Stephen linked up well with M Sinclair down the right and played in a dangerous cross, which Farmer half cleared as far as Boyd who in attempting to complete the clearance only succeeded in finding his own net. The mood of the game visibly changed and the home side so composed and assured in the first half started to look a little ragged. The game eventually set into a pattern of intense pressure from the Ham park men pouring forward at every opening and when Henderson made his only mistake of the game letting a Nichol drive spill from his grasp Green recovered to clear the ball from the line as Cassidy waited to pounce. Last year’s top scorer Nichol just failed to get enough direction on a wicked Bremner freekick swung in from the right and Henderson gratefully held on as United took every opportunity to hem the visitors in. The game continued to be played deep in the John O’Groats territory although they did try and break at every opportunity. Another Bremner set-piece this time a corner saw Boyd power the ball goal wards only for it to be stopped on the line again and then no fewer than 4 attempts at goal were repelled as a sense maybe it just wasn’t to be United’s night started to sweep around. With just under fifteen minutes Ross Sutherland broke into the box picking up a Willie Inrig pass but S Sinclair’s last gasp lunge just prevented the midfield man a shot on goal. The resultant long throw brought huge appeals from the home support when Fearns appeared to push Boyd the ground with two hands but referee Arrowsmith had other ideas. A late surge into the box from Willie Inrig brought him clear but the ball just wouldn’t come out from under his feet and the chance was snuffled out as the attacks became increasingly desperate. However the best chance of the night fell to substitute Beattie only on the park a matter of minutes replacing the tiring Cassidy he raced on to a beautifully flighted ball from B Gray but only succeeded in steering the ball the wrong side of the post. With minutes left the United cause was further hampered when Sutherland picked up his second booking after challenging Stephen on the touchline a harsh decision to say the least considering some of the other challenges that had gone on. The drifted away and Bremner tried one desperate effort from long range but it never looked like troubling Henderson.
Full time
Pentland United 1-2 JOG
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. G Bremner 7. R Sutherland 8. W Inrig 9. M Nichol 10. L Cassidy (R Beattie 80) 11. N Murray
Subs not used
G Mackay, D Manson
View from the goal
Well a nightmare start to the campaign I actually thought we played some great stuff in the first half especially cutting them open at will but if you don’t take your chances then you don’t win games. I am sure there will be a few jumping on the bandwagon now suggesting we are finished and we may not win anything this year but it will not be through a lack of effort on our part. We still have a good team regardless of what people are saying and will bounce back from this disappointment. To win games you always need a degree of good fortune unfortunately we were sadly devoid of that on Wednesday. However we must pick ourselves up and get off the mark against the Ashes next Wednesday and take things from there.