Post by Michael Gray on May 16, 2005 6:48:06 GMT
United gained another three valuable points on their travels last night after tough encounter with 2002 Champions Wick Thistle. United made two changes to the starting line-up with John Skinner and Tony Farquhar replacing Gary Mackay and Bobby Thorburn who had recovered from his groin injury to take a place on the bench, Russel Beattie and Ross Sutherland also returned to the squad. The visitors produced a bright start aided by nervous opening from the home outfit and almost sneaked an opener when Farquhar and Nichol linked leaving the latter a half chance at a very tight angle his shot span off Richards foot but the keeper managed to recover the ball without too much problems. United seemed to be playing with a renewed vigour after their comprehensive defeat of Thistle’s local rivals Groats the week before and continued to make the early running Nichol and Inrig combined to leave Cook a chance the big midfielder broke into the box on the angle and forced a decent enough save from Richards on his 6 yard line. Colin McKiddie had made a lively start for Thistle down the right and it was he who created their first attack of note latching on to Harper’s pass he forced Baker into a blocking tackle at the expense of a corner, Steven took the kick but Gray fielded comfortably. After 15 mins the visitors really should have broken the deadlock a beautifully flighted Bremner corner from the right found Farquhar all alone no more than 7 yards out straight in front of goal but the normally deadly striker could only look on in anguish as his header squirmed the wrong side of the post. It really was a rearguard action for Thistle at this time as United poured forward at every opportunity Brian Gray met another Bremner corner on the volley after 25 mins but he like Farquhar failed to hit the target although Nichol’s jump may have distracted the centre half. The front two continued to link well and a fine pass from Gray saw Nichol flick the ball into his partner’s path, Farquhar took a touch before trying to catch the keeper unawares with a quick shot but Richards stood up well and managed to flick the ball onto the bar and away for a corner. United had moved Hamish Boyd into a more central role for this fixture and he so nearly made the break through on the half hour mark he fed the ball into Nichol’s feet and took the return without breaking stride but his shot from 20 yards just flew wide with the keeper beaten. Just as it seemed United would have complete domination they allowed Thistle back into the game keeper Gray was extremely slack with a pass back when he only succeeded in firing it straight to Sutherland 30 yards out but the strikers rushed shot just went wide. This seemed to encourage the home side and the supporters alike and Gordie Reid let fly from 25 yards although Gray held on comfortably this time it was a clear sign of ambition. The game then settled into an extremely well matched affair in terms of possession although the majority of goalscoring chances seemed to fall in favour of the Dunnet side. A delightful twist and turn from Harper in the right channel saw him create space for a through ball, that keeper Gray read just ahead of Reid who had made the dash from midfield. Five minutes before half time a neat triangle involving Inrig and Cook allowed Farquhar an opportunity on the angle but again the striker could only find the side net. The final piece of goal action of the first 45 was again a set piece, Nichol rising highest at the far post to bullet a header goalwards as the net rippled some around the ground thought the club’s top scorer so far this season had opened his account for the evening but in fact once again it was the side net that bulged.
Half time
Wick Thistle 0-0 Pentland United
Neither side opted for personnel changes at the interval and the game continued in the same manner although for spells the home side looked the more likely to make the all important break through. The Thistle defence slowly seemed to be getting to grips with the United strike force that had by far enjoyed the upper hand in the opening period. Sandy Sutherland showed lovely control down the left as he managed to wiggle away from a couple of half hearted challenges but the Lybster based striker’s cross was cut out at the near post by Gray. Willie Inrig and Gavin Bremner continued to try and probe for the opening but the defence were standing solid one such attempt saw the ball repelled to Inrig who let fly from fully 35 yards but although the shot never lacked power it did lack direction. Thistle skipper Fairweather did brilliantly after 15 mins of the half to break up a United attack on mid way he strode clear deep into United territory before drawing Skinner then laying the ball to Sutherland who to the frustration of the home support was in an offside position. Farquhar was then given another opportunity to attack when he was found down the left by a sweeping Baker pass the striker rolled away from Martin and drove to the bye line but his cut back was blocked away by the outstretched leg of Sutherland. Reid became the first player to be booked by referee Green when he inadvertently stopped the breaking run of Bremner and he was quickly followed by Boyd for a clumsy challenge on Sutherland as the game continued to ebb and flow. Frustration was evident in the United display after 65 mins as yet again they found the wrong side of the post this time it was Nichol although to be fair the ball was extremely close to the goal line when he latched on to it. United had two half chances on 70 mins good play down the left saw Farquhar sweep in a deep cross that Cook half won Nichol’s shot was blocked away and Bremner tried to feed Inrig but his first touch was just a little to heavy and the ball drifted away for a goal kick. On 75 mins Duncan Gray decided to freshen things up replacing Tony Farquhar who had taken a knock on the foot with Russel Beattie. The substitutes first action was to take his place in the box for a long B Gray throw, which Boyd flicked into the path of the former Thistle man and he wasted no time in dispatching the ball sweetly passed Richards for a quite remarkable introduction into the game he then proceeded to celebrate with his team mates Earnshaw style. The effect was visible throughout, as the United players seemed to be visibly relieved of the pressure and the Thistle players looked dejected. To make matters worse for the home side they found themselves two behind with just left than 10 minutes to go when John Skinner bravely beat Martin to a tackle on half way and managed to release Beattie who simply sailed away from the Thistle defence before sliding the ball across to Nichol who took a touch before finishing with deadly accuracy past the despairing Richards. United reacted to the goal by immediately replacing Inrig with Thorburn and Nichol with Manson in quick succession, Thistle responded by throwing on Hughes and Henderson in place of Reid and Steven. The Canisbay men saw out the final few minutes without too much drama as Skinner, Gray and Boyd held firm and even managed to create a few half breaks Thorburn especially unlucky after breaking up play and linking with Manson but couldn’t quite find a way through.
Full time
Wick Thistle 0-2 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. H Boyd 4. J Skinner 5. M Cook 6. G Bremner 7. R Farmer (c) 8. W Inrig (R Thorburn 82) 9. M Nichol (D Manson 85) 10. T Farquhar (R Beattie 75) 11. M Baker
View from the goal
A super three points for the boys and if I am honest I did wonder if they would ever come but great credit to the team who battled away solidly against a quality Thistle team. Thistle away is always one of the most notoriously difficult fixtures on the calendar and we were simply delighted to be leaving Wick with all the points. What a substitution I know Beatts doesn’t always get the plaudits or the breaks but he made a huge difference last night not only with his goal but his appetite he was like a breath of fresh air and deserves great credit. Another clean sheet, which is always welcome although I did my best to spoil it with a horrendous kick in the first half and maybe a few poor ones in the second. However can’t fault the work rate last night and even when we weren’t getting the breaks nobody shied away from the task. Thistle put up a great fight and for long spells it was extremely even and they won’t get turned over very often if they play like that every week. Now we move on to the Highland Cup and a very tough tie down in Lybster that will present a huge task but if we just show the attitude and application we did last night we won’t be far away.
Half time
Wick Thistle 0-0 Pentland United
Neither side opted for personnel changes at the interval and the game continued in the same manner although for spells the home side looked the more likely to make the all important break through. The Thistle defence slowly seemed to be getting to grips with the United strike force that had by far enjoyed the upper hand in the opening period. Sandy Sutherland showed lovely control down the left as he managed to wiggle away from a couple of half hearted challenges but the Lybster based striker’s cross was cut out at the near post by Gray. Willie Inrig and Gavin Bremner continued to try and probe for the opening but the defence were standing solid one such attempt saw the ball repelled to Inrig who let fly from fully 35 yards but although the shot never lacked power it did lack direction. Thistle skipper Fairweather did brilliantly after 15 mins of the half to break up a United attack on mid way he strode clear deep into United territory before drawing Skinner then laying the ball to Sutherland who to the frustration of the home support was in an offside position. Farquhar was then given another opportunity to attack when he was found down the left by a sweeping Baker pass the striker rolled away from Martin and drove to the bye line but his cut back was blocked away by the outstretched leg of Sutherland. Reid became the first player to be booked by referee Green when he inadvertently stopped the breaking run of Bremner and he was quickly followed by Boyd for a clumsy challenge on Sutherland as the game continued to ebb and flow. Frustration was evident in the United display after 65 mins as yet again they found the wrong side of the post this time it was Nichol although to be fair the ball was extremely close to the goal line when he latched on to it. United had two half chances on 70 mins good play down the left saw Farquhar sweep in a deep cross that Cook half won Nichol’s shot was blocked away and Bremner tried to feed Inrig but his first touch was just a little to heavy and the ball drifted away for a goal kick. On 75 mins Duncan Gray decided to freshen things up replacing Tony Farquhar who had taken a knock on the foot with Russel Beattie. The substitutes first action was to take his place in the box for a long B Gray throw, which Boyd flicked into the path of the former Thistle man and he wasted no time in dispatching the ball sweetly passed Richards for a quite remarkable introduction into the game he then proceeded to celebrate with his team mates Earnshaw style. The effect was visible throughout, as the United players seemed to be visibly relieved of the pressure and the Thistle players looked dejected. To make matters worse for the home side they found themselves two behind with just left than 10 minutes to go when John Skinner bravely beat Martin to a tackle on half way and managed to release Beattie who simply sailed away from the Thistle defence before sliding the ball across to Nichol who took a touch before finishing with deadly accuracy past the despairing Richards. United reacted to the goal by immediately replacing Inrig with Thorburn and Nichol with Manson in quick succession, Thistle responded by throwing on Hughes and Henderson in place of Reid and Steven. The Canisbay men saw out the final few minutes without too much drama as Skinner, Gray and Boyd held firm and even managed to create a few half breaks Thorburn especially unlucky after breaking up play and linking with Manson but couldn’t quite find a way through.
Full time
Wick Thistle 0-2 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. H Boyd 4. J Skinner 5. M Cook 6. G Bremner 7. R Farmer (c) 8. W Inrig (R Thorburn 82) 9. M Nichol (D Manson 85) 10. T Farquhar (R Beattie 75) 11. M Baker
View from the goal
A super three points for the boys and if I am honest I did wonder if they would ever come but great credit to the team who battled away solidly against a quality Thistle team. Thistle away is always one of the most notoriously difficult fixtures on the calendar and we were simply delighted to be leaving Wick with all the points. What a substitution I know Beatts doesn’t always get the plaudits or the breaks but he made a huge difference last night not only with his goal but his appetite he was like a breath of fresh air and deserves great credit. Another clean sheet, which is always welcome although I did my best to spoil it with a horrendous kick in the first half and maybe a few poor ones in the second. However can’t fault the work rate last night and even when we weren’t getting the breaks nobody shied away from the task. Thistle put up a great fight and for long spells it was extremely even and they won’t get turned over very often if they play like that every week. Now we move on to the Highland Cup and a very tough tie down in Lybster that will present a huge task but if we just show the attitude and application we did last night we won’t be far away.