Post by Michael Gray on May 18, 2005 11:09:28 GMT
It was very much a case of as you were for United as they faced Lybster for the second time in three days. Again United made several changes to the starting eleven with the south trio of John Skinner, Tony Farquhar and Luke Cassidy departing while Gary Mackay, Hamish Boyd and Martin Cook returned to the fold. Lybster were boosted by the addition of Wick Academy player Gary Weir as they set about avenging the weekend defeat. The game started in whirlwind fashion Brian Gray hurled a long throw deep into the Lybster area where Hamish Boyd rose highest to flick the ball on for Russel Beattie to bundle the ball into the net. Within five minutes they had doubled the lead and again the source was a long throw, which Gunn inadvertently knocked away with his hand leaving referee Munro no option but to point to the spot, Brian Gray fired the ball low and hard past Sutherland to leave a startled look amongst the visitors. United were flying at this point with the right hand side of the park a particular source of joy Martin Baker linked well with Nichol in a sweeping move that saw him play in Beattie at the near post but his effort just cleared the bar. The home side were firmly in the ascendancy and were almost permanently camped in the Lybster half although the combination of Gary Weir, Jimmy Budge and Grant Budge meant the defence had to remain alert. A powerful run from Martin Cook saw him break clear after 20 mins Sutherland closed the angle well and managed to deflect the ball for a corner much to the disappointment of the big midfielder. As mentioned before Lybster did counter attack well and it took an excellent intervention from Thorburn to head away Fryer’s dangerous cross with J Budge lurking behind. However again United responded positively Beattie latched on to a loose bal 40 yards from goal an raced away from the defence he drew Sutherland before bending his shot around the keeper but unfortunately for him it drifted wide of the post. The striker then acrobatically tried to increase the lead from a Bremner cross although perhaps a call from his strike partner Nichol would have meant an easier chance being left to him. This seemed to spur on Lybster and only a tremendous intervention from Brian Gray thwarted Jimmy Budge at the back post when the striker looked odds on to have a pop at goal. From the resultant set piece keeper Gray managed to punch clear the corner, which had hung in the wind making it far more difficult than it initially seemed. However the visitors clawed their way back into the game right on half time when G Budge latched on to a throw-in from Gunn and stepped away from a couple of challenges before linking with G Weir and unleashing a brilliant shot into the bottom corner past the helpless Gray
Half time
Pentland United 2-1 Lybster
The home side started positively once again although playing into the stiff breeze made life a lot more difficult specially in clearing the ball. However they still managed to create a glorious opportunity 5 minutes into the second period when Hamish Boyd let fly from twenty yards, which skipped of the turf wickedly at Sutherland who did well to make the initial block but he only succeeded in knocking the ball back to the inrushing Beattie who couldn’t make contact as the goal lay gaping. However United were to suffer a further set back when Gunn found space down the left before whipping in a dangerous cross that Boyd tried to clear but it ricocheted of J Budge and left the striker with the a glorious opportunity 16 yards out, which he duly took to level the scoreline. United visibly up the effort levels in the attempt to get back in the game but frustration at the chances that had escaped them earlier were surfacing. Russel Beattie did well cutting in from the left before playing in Nichol on the angle but the normally deadly striker pulled his shot wide of the post. The game at this stage was wide open with both teams still believing that the win was there for the taking and J Budge was only inches away from getting his head to a corner after escaping the attentions of the United defence. United finally forged ahead again with ten minutes left on the clock with Inrig the architect he made a great run down the left beating his man before delivering a wonderful ball into Nichol who swept the ball past the despairing Sutherland. The goal was like an injection of energy into the vein of the United team and two minutes later they scored the crucial fourth goal this time the creator was Beattie he latched on to a long clearance from Gray raced away from the defence to the bye line before cutting the ball back to Baker who from 8 yards side footed the ball back against the balance of the Sutherland and into the net. United then replaced Inrig with Manson as the midfielder looked to have taken a knock in the build-up to the third goal. United really should have added to their total on minutes later Manson fed Nichol who brilliantly turned his marker Henderson before racing past Weir he drove to the bye line before laying the ball back to Beattie but his effort flew wide. Just when United thought it was safe to breath easy Lybster struck again, G Weir made a break down the right but was stopped in his tracks the ball broke free to Miller his attempted shot broke again to Weir who appeared to be in an offside position but he wasted no time in cutting the ball back for G Budge to finish with a thumping volley for the last action of a pulsating match.
Full time
Pentland United 4-3 Lybster
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. H Boyd 4. R Thorburn 5. M Baker 6. G Bremner 7. R Farmer (c) 8. W Inrig (D Manson 84) 9. M Nichol 10. M Cook 11. R Beattie
Subs not used:
R Sutherland G Mackay
View from the goal
Again three valuable points and we played some neat stuff at times but failed to take our early chances and force home our early superiority. To be fair to Lybster they fought back superbly and took their chances brilliantly but we must learn to defend better if we are going to challenge for any honours this season. Obviously the wind made things pretty difficult but we really need to concentrate and stop conceding so many goals that is now ten at home this season in the league, not nearly good enough. However on the positive side we attacked well especially in the first half and always looked lively so at least we are creating and we can build on that. We now move on to Rovers who have recruited a few ex-Academy players I hear so it is sure to be another stern test for the boys.
Half time
Pentland United 2-1 Lybster
The home side started positively once again although playing into the stiff breeze made life a lot more difficult specially in clearing the ball. However they still managed to create a glorious opportunity 5 minutes into the second period when Hamish Boyd let fly from twenty yards, which skipped of the turf wickedly at Sutherland who did well to make the initial block but he only succeeded in knocking the ball back to the inrushing Beattie who couldn’t make contact as the goal lay gaping. However United were to suffer a further set back when Gunn found space down the left before whipping in a dangerous cross that Boyd tried to clear but it ricocheted of J Budge and left the striker with the a glorious opportunity 16 yards out, which he duly took to level the scoreline. United visibly up the effort levels in the attempt to get back in the game but frustration at the chances that had escaped them earlier were surfacing. Russel Beattie did well cutting in from the left before playing in Nichol on the angle but the normally deadly striker pulled his shot wide of the post. The game at this stage was wide open with both teams still believing that the win was there for the taking and J Budge was only inches away from getting his head to a corner after escaping the attentions of the United defence. United finally forged ahead again with ten minutes left on the clock with Inrig the architect he made a great run down the left beating his man before delivering a wonderful ball into Nichol who swept the ball past the despairing Sutherland. The goal was like an injection of energy into the vein of the United team and two minutes later they scored the crucial fourth goal this time the creator was Beattie he latched on to a long clearance from Gray raced away from the defence to the bye line before cutting the ball back to Baker who from 8 yards side footed the ball back against the balance of the Sutherland and into the net. United then replaced Inrig with Manson as the midfielder looked to have taken a knock in the build-up to the third goal. United really should have added to their total on minutes later Manson fed Nichol who brilliantly turned his marker Henderson before racing past Weir he drove to the bye line before laying the ball back to Beattie but his effort flew wide. Just when United thought it was safe to breath easy Lybster struck again, G Weir made a break down the right but was stopped in his tracks the ball broke free to Miller his attempted shot broke again to Weir who appeared to be in an offside position but he wasted no time in cutting the ball back for G Budge to finish with a thumping volley for the last action of a pulsating match.
Full time
Pentland United 4-3 Lybster
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. H Boyd 4. R Thorburn 5. M Baker 6. G Bremner 7. R Farmer (c) 8. W Inrig (D Manson 84) 9. M Nichol 10. M Cook 11. R Beattie
Subs not used:
R Sutherland G Mackay
View from the goal
Again three valuable points and we played some neat stuff at times but failed to take our early chances and force home our early superiority. To be fair to Lybster they fought back superbly and took their chances brilliantly but we must learn to defend better if we are going to challenge for any honours this season. Obviously the wind made things pretty difficult but we really need to concentrate and stop conceding so many goals that is now ten at home this season in the league, not nearly good enough. However on the positive side we attacked well especially in the first half and always looked lively so at least we are creating and we can build on that. We now move on to Rovers who have recruited a few ex-Academy players I hear so it is sure to be another stern test for the boys.