Post by Michael Gray on May 17, 2005 12:12:40 GMT
United progressed into the third round of Macleod IFA Highland Amateur Cup after overcoming stubborn resistance from Lybster who had to play the majority of the second half with 10 men. United made two changes to the starting line-up that had defeated Thistle on the previous Wednesday, Luke Cassidy and Russel Beattie replaced Hamish Boyd and Martin Cook. The visitors came out the traps quickly and seemed intent on pressing the home defence at every opportunity Edinburgh based Luke Cassidy had an early glimpse of goal after a neat turn from Beattie released him but with Nichol free at the back post he elected to shoot but failed to hit the target. The same two players almost linked up minutes later when a splendid run from Cassidy saw him break to the bye line before cutting the ball back for Beattie but he just failed to make connection with an acrobatic attempt at the near post. United continued to press for the opener and Tony Farquhar was just off target when he rose at the near post to meet a Gavin Bremner corner but the header just went over the top. The hosts did have the ball in the net after 20 mins when Fryer latched on to a loose ball but the whistle had gone for offside long before he lashed the ball past Gray. Referee Macdonald had to intervene on 25 mins after Weir took out Farquhar on the half way line with a very poor challenge indeed and rightly earned himself a yellow card. He was followed no more than five minutes later by Taylor as Nichol took a touch that saw him race clear only for the full back to bring his run to a shuddering halt. Lybster had chosen to play with the wind at their backs and at times were struggling to take advantage of the elements regularly the ball travelled too far and away for goal kicks as they tried to get into the game. A decent inswinging corner from G Budge into the near post forced a rather unconvincing punch from Gray through a ruck of players but fortunately for the keeper Inrig was on hand to complete the clearance. The difference Johnny Skinner makes to the United rearguard is clearly evident he adds a composure and self assurance to the defensive line that has been missing far too often this season and he used all of his experience on the half hour mark ushering G Budge away from the danger area before completing the clearance. In almost carbon copy fashion Tony Farquhar again found space at the near post to meet a Bremner corner but again the tall striker couldn’t quite get over the ball to keep his header down. With less than five minutes left in the half and just when it seemed Lybster had weathered the storm they went behind. Great persistence down the left from Farquhar saw him create space to deliver a pinpoint inswinging cross, which Nichol duly dispatched beyond Sutherland with a beautiful header.
Half time
Lybster 0-1 Pentland United
With less than five minutes on he clock Lybster had an amazing let off Gavin Bremner broke from midfield before playing in Cassidy on the right he took a touch before drifting in a wicked cross, Sutherland did extremely well to claw the ball half clear only as far as Nichol who volleyed the ball past the gaping net from an acute angle. The home side had been forced to replace star striker Jimmy Budge with Shepherd at half time as the big striker succumbed to a groin injury and this further hampered their task. The goal immediately before half time had been a huge boost and the United players certainly appeared to have the greater spring in their step at the start of the second period. Gavin Bremner’s set pieces have been a tremendous attacking weapon all season but instead of creating he tried his own luck ten minutes into the half but the effort from fully 30 crashed off the bar and away for a goal kick with Sutherland clearly beaten. The young keeper has been earning rare reviews this season and he enhanced his reputation further when he brought off a fine one handed save from Nichol at the expense of a corner as the striker latched on a loose ball in the box. The United momentum was however increasing and they were looking ever more dangerous as the game became stretched and the second goal finally arrived when Bremner whipped in a vicious free kick from the right landing the ball straight on the postage stamp with Sutherland stranded. With the wind now in their favour and a two goal lead United were dominating proceedings and their cause was assisted further when Weir made another extremely rash challenge on half-way leaving Farquhar in a crumpled heap as he attempted to latch on to Beattie’s fine pass. Referee Macdonald had no option other than to caution the central defender again and ultimately show him the red card. United had a goal disallowed after 70 mins when a Bremner freekick was cleared as far as Cassidy he volleyed the ball back in, which was blocked as Nichol spun to fire home the flag was raised as Beattie had strayed into an offside position. United then decided to replace Cassidy with Thorburn the substitution resulted in Baker moving to a wide position and Thorburn moving into central defence. Five minutes later Beattie seemed to pull up with cramp and the management team took no chances immediately withdrawing the striker and replacing him with Manson for the remaining quarter of an hour. United continued to make the running with keeper Gray's only real action fielding through balls and pass backs as the home side battled away but couldn’t really find the required penetration. The third and killer goal came with ten minutes left and again it came via a Bremner freekick from the right he swept he ball in low allowing Brian Gray to steal a march on his marker and flick the ball past the helpless Sutherland. Lybster finally got a goal in the dying minutes when a long ball saw Thorburn only manage to partially clear the ball, keeper Gray managed to block the first effort but Fryer followed up to fire in a fine shot for a consolation that perhaps their efforts deserved.
Full time
Lybster 1-3 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. J Skinner 5. T Farquhar 6. G Bremner 7. R Farmer (c) 8. W Inrig 9. M Nichol 10. L Cassidy (R Thorburn 70) 11. R Beattie (D Manson 75)
Subs not used:
R Sutherland
View from the goal
Pleased obviously to be in the third round first and foremost we knew when the draw was made it was going to be extremely tough down in Lybster and that is the way it panned out. We took a wee while to settle down missing a few half chances and struggling to play into a strong wind but we plugged away and once we got ahead I thought we relaxed and knocked about the ball quite well. It was a workman like performance more than anything else, as we had to match the energy levels that Lybster showed. We now have them on Monday night and it will again be tough and today’s match will count for nothing you can be sure of that.
Half time
Lybster 0-1 Pentland United
With less than five minutes on he clock Lybster had an amazing let off Gavin Bremner broke from midfield before playing in Cassidy on the right he took a touch before drifting in a wicked cross, Sutherland did extremely well to claw the ball half clear only as far as Nichol who volleyed the ball past the gaping net from an acute angle. The home side had been forced to replace star striker Jimmy Budge with Shepherd at half time as the big striker succumbed to a groin injury and this further hampered their task. The goal immediately before half time had been a huge boost and the United players certainly appeared to have the greater spring in their step at the start of the second period. Gavin Bremner’s set pieces have been a tremendous attacking weapon all season but instead of creating he tried his own luck ten minutes into the half but the effort from fully 30 crashed off the bar and away for a goal kick with Sutherland clearly beaten. The young keeper has been earning rare reviews this season and he enhanced his reputation further when he brought off a fine one handed save from Nichol at the expense of a corner as the striker latched on a loose ball in the box. The United momentum was however increasing and they were looking ever more dangerous as the game became stretched and the second goal finally arrived when Bremner whipped in a vicious free kick from the right landing the ball straight on the postage stamp with Sutherland stranded. With the wind now in their favour and a two goal lead United were dominating proceedings and their cause was assisted further when Weir made another extremely rash challenge on half-way leaving Farquhar in a crumpled heap as he attempted to latch on to Beattie’s fine pass. Referee Macdonald had no option other than to caution the central defender again and ultimately show him the red card. United had a goal disallowed after 70 mins when a Bremner freekick was cleared as far as Cassidy he volleyed the ball back in, which was blocked as Nichol spun to fire home the flag was raised as Beattie had strayed into an offside position. United then decided to replace Cassidy with Thorburn the substitution resulted in Baker moving to a wide position and Thorburn moving into central defence. Five minutes later Beattie seemed to pull up with cramp and the management team took no chances immediately withdrawing the striker and replacing him with Manson for the remaining quarter of an hour. United continued to make the running with keeper Gray's only real action fielding through balls and pass backs as the home side battled away but couldn’t really find the required penetration. The third and killer goal came with ten minutes left and again it came via a Bremner freekick from the right he swept he ball in low allowing Brian Gray to steal a march on his marker and flick the ball past the helpless Sutherland. Lybster finally got a goal in the dying minutes when a long ball saw Thorburn only manage to partially clear the ball, keeper Gray managed to block the first effort but Fryer followed up to fire in a fine shot for a consolation that perhaps their efforts deserved.
Full time
Lybster 1-3 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. J Skinner 5. T Farquhar 6. G Bremner 7. R Farmer (c) 8. W Inrig 9. M Nichol 10. L Cassidy (R Thorburn 70) 11. R Beattie (D Manson 75)
Subs not used:
R Sutherland
View from the goal
Pleased obviously to be in the third round first and foremost we knew when the draw was made it was going to be extremely tough down in Lybster and that is the way it panned out. We took a wee while to settle down missing a few half chances and struggling to play into a strong wind but we plugged away and once we got ahead I thought we relaxed and knocked about the ball quite well. It was a workman like performance more than anything else, as we had to match the energy levels that Lybster showed. We now have them on Monday night and it will again be tough and today’s match will count for nothing you can be sure of that.