Post by Michael Gray on Apr 26, 2005 15:09:04 GMT
United gained their second consecutive away win with a hard fought victory over fierce rival Acks last night. United introduced their southern pair of John Skinner and Tony Farquhar to the starting line-up along with the returning duo of skipper Ryan Farmer and Hamish Boyd. Martin Cook, Derek Manson, Gary Mackay and Russel Beattie who all turned in decent displays against Ashes made way as manager Duncan Gray decided on a more experienced selection against the league pace setters. The home side as expected started the more positively forcing a number of early freekicks, one such set-piece from MacDougall forced an unconvincing punch from Gray, which landed at Baker’s feet who duly completed the clearance to the relief of his goalkeeper. As the game prgressed the early running continued to be made by the league leaders and MacDougall created a wonderful opportunity for M Murray When he found space on the right and delivered a superb inswinging cross for the wideman but he couldn't find the target under intense pressure from Inrig. Although the game had started off being played in a physical but fair manner referee Sinclair was keen to stamp out any hint of altercations developing and booked Boyd after two successive fouls on M Murray although the big defender can count himself a little hard done by on the second offence. Gradually the visitors worked their way back into the game and Mark Nichol served noticed on his intentions when Willie Inrig released him with a fine through ball the striker took a touch before firing a vicious shot across the face of the goal. The pin point accuracy of Gavin Bremner’s set pieces were to be a huge source of problems for the Acks defence all game and Tony Farquhar was presented with a glorious opportunity at the back post on 25 mins when he was found all alone from one such dead ball but the big striker just failed to find the target. Acks hit back through good work down the left from M Murray creating a half chance for J Mackenzie who swept a shot goalwards from twenty yards but it was too straight to bother keeper Gray. The visitors continued to respond positively and were presented with a decent chance on the half hour mark when Tony Farquhar was upended on the 18 yard line however Mark Nichol sent the freekick high over the bar. The leagues top scorer was not to be denied though and it all started when Gavin Bremner made a break from halfway, which was crudely ended by his namesake Michael who received a booking for his trouble. The midfield man dusted himself down to float in a deep cross that was only cleared as far as Willie Inrig who returned a delightful centre picking out Nichol at the back post and he powered the ball in off a combination of post and keeper Mackay to the delight of the travelling support. Minutes later the lead so nearly doubled when Boyd latched on to another dangerous Bremner ball but he could only look on in anguish as his effort crashed off the underside of the bar and away to safety. Brian Mackay has been earning decent reviews since joining the Acks and he showed why 5 minutes before the break when he was at full stretch to claw a deep Bremner free kick as United turned the screw the keeper doing just enough as Gray and Farquhar closed in. Minutes before the interval United had muted claims for a penalty when he latched on to a long clearance he raced into the box but seemed to stumble as Mackay dived at his feet.
Half time
Acks 0-1 Pentland United
The second period started like a whirlwind as United passed up a glorious chance to double their advantage a superb raking pass from Skinner saw Nichol in the clear but his attempted lob was superbly deflected wide by keeper Mackay. The resultant set-piece saw the home side escape again when Tony Farquhar stole a march on his marker and flicked a header goalwards, which looked a winner all the way until a superb intervention from Bain on the goal line. The Acks however hit back positivelt grabbing the lion's share of the possession and pushed back the Dunnet and their best chance of the half came on the hour mark when a positive run from the impressive M Murray saw him get to the byeline draw keeper Gray before cutting the ball back for Mackenzie but his shot was blocked away by Sutherland and Skinner completed the clearance. Gavin Bremner had got through a power of work all evening and one of his lung bursting runs saw him right in on Mackay but the keeper again excelled spreading himself well to block the shot with Moar completing the clearance as the ball bounced loose. The third and final booking of the game came with 25 mins left in the contest when M Bain left his foot in on PU skipper Ryan Farmer again leaving referee Sinclair with no option but to produce the yellow card in what was far from a dirty game. United’s grip on the game became even tighter with 15 mins remaining Tony Farquhar picked the ball up in the left channel and drove at Warner he knocked the ball past the defender bringing out a desperate lunge that floored the frontman and gave referee Sinclair no alternative than to point to the spot. Brian Gray placed the ball on the spot and after a minor wait proceeded to fire the ball past Mackay giving United a precious two goal advantage. United almost immediately changed things with Russel Beattie replacing scorer of the opening goal Mark Nichol and the substitute did a fine job of closing down the back three and allowing them very little time for the remaining quarter of an hour or so. Hamish Boyd had visibly grown in confidence throughout the game becoming far more comfortable in his unfamiliar position on the right hand side of the defence and he almost created a chance for Tony Farquhar when he managed to out-fox two players on the corner of the Acks box but his cross was swept away by Warner before the striker could get to the ball. The home side did manage to press the game for the remaining ten minutes with united relying on counter attacks and it took the slightest of touches from Hamish Boyd to turn away from a vicious Alan Murray centre. With just less than ten to go United removed skipper Farmer and replaced him with Cook as United tried to freshen things up. The final opportunity came in exactly the same fashion as the first opportunity a Lee MacDougall free kick. It came about when Alan Murray drew Martin Baker into the tackle on the left hand side of the box this left the left footed frontman with an opportunity to fire in a wicked low cross that keeper Gray held on to at his near post.
Full time
Acks 0-2 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. H Boyd 5. J Skinner 6. G Bremner 7. R Farmer (c) (Cook, 81) 8. W Inrig 9. M Nichol (Beattie, 76) 10. T Farquhar 11. R Sutherland
Subs not used
D Manson, G Mackay
View from the goal
An absolutely fantastic win against a quality side who made us work all the way for the win. There is no way you can pick out an individual for special praise from a team who turned in a quality performance and worked themselves into the ground. It just goes to show what a difference a couple of wins can make. We did survive a couple of early scares before putting in an accomplished performance and in my opinion we had by far the better of chances and it was great to see Mark back in deadly form again. However we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves there is still a long way to go starting on Wednesday against local rivals Castletown who themselves have made a decent start to the league.
Half time
Acks 0-1 Pentland United
The second period started like a whirlwind as United passed up a glorious chance to double their advantage a superb raking pass from Skinner saw Nichol in the clear but his attempted lob was superbly deflected wide by keeper Mackay. The resultant set-piece saw the home side escape again when Tony Farquhar stole a march on his marker and flicked a header goalwards, which looked a winner all the way until a superb intervention from Bain on the goal line. The Acks however hit back positivelt grabbing the lion's share of the possession and pushed back the Dunnet and their best chance of the half came on the hour mark when a positive run from the impressive M Murray saw him get to the byeline draw keeper Gray before cutting the ball back for Mackenzie but his shot was blocked away by Sutherland and Skinner completed the clearance. Gavin Bremner had got through a power of work all evening and one of his lung bursting runs saw him right in on Mackay but the keeper again excelled spreading himself well to block the shot with Moar completing the clearance as the ball bounced loose. The third and final booking of the game came with 25 mins left in the contest when M Bain left his foot in on PU skipper Ryan Farmer again leaving referee Sinclair with no option but to produce the yellow card in what was far from a dirty game. United’s grip on the game became even tighter with 15 mins remaining Tony Farquhar picked the ball up in the left channel and drove at Warner he knocked the ball past the defender bringing out a desperate lunge that floored the frontman and gave referee Sinclair no alternative than to point to the spot. Brian Gray placed the ball on the spot and after a minor wait proceeded to fire the ball past Mackay giving United a precious two goal advantage. United almost immediately changed things with Russel Beattie replacing scorer of the opening goal Mark Nichol and the substitute did a fine job of closing down the back three and allowing them very little time for the remaining quarter of an hour or so. Hamish Boyd had visibly grown in confidence throughout the game becoming far more comfortable in his unfamiliar position on the right hand side of the defence and he almost created a chance for Tony Farquhar when he managed to out-fox two players on the corner of the Acks box but his cross was swept away by Warner before the striker could get to the ball. The home side did manage to press the game for the remaining ten minutes with united relying on counter attacks and it took the slightest of touches from Hamish Boyd to turn away from a vicious Alan Murray centre. With just less than ten to go United removed skipper Farmer and replaced him with Cook as United tried to freshen things up. The final opportunity came in exactly the same fashion as the first opportunity a Lee MacDougall free kick. It came about when Alan Murray drew Martin Baker into the tackle on the left hand side of the box this left the left footed frontman with an opportunity to fire in a wicked low cross that keeper Gray held on to at his near post.
Full time
Acks 0-2 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. H Boyd 5. J Skinner 6. G Bremner 7. R Farmer (c) (Cook, 81) 8. W Inrig 9. M Nichol (Beattie, 76) 10. T Farquhar 11. R Sutherland
Subs not used
D Manson, G Mackay
View from the goal
An absolutely fantastic win against a quality side who made us work all the way for the win. There is no way you can pick out an individual for special praise from a team who turned in a quality performance and worked themselves into the ground. It just goes to show what a difference a couple of wins can make. We did survive a couple of early scares before putting in an accomplished performance and in my opinion we had by far the better of chances and it was great to see Mark back in deadly form again. However we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves there is still a long way to go starting on Wednesday against local rivals Castletown who themselves have made a decent start to the league.