Post by Michael Gray on May 27, 2005 17:08:50 GMT
A damp and miserable night greeted United to John O’Groats who had near enough a full compliment of players for the first time this season at their disposal after Bobby Thorburn and Willie Inrig had shaken off knocks. JOG had keeper Henderson missing so John Malcolm was handed the gloves for the night. United decided to play with the stiff breeze at their backs and made the early running and deputy keeper made an unbelievable stop from Sutherland as met a pin point Beattie corner. Groats responded and Gray conceded a freekick when Munro wriggled clear, Tait swung the ball in, which Gray gathered at the second attempt. Brian Gray’s long throw is always a source of trouble for opposing teams and his first of the night saw Tony Farquhar climb highest but he could only glance his header over the bar. Captain for the night Gavin Bremner was keen to use the conditions to his advantage and he was showing his intent at every opportunity shooting narrowly wide after a surging run from midfield. United suffered a blow on 15 mins when Willie Inrig succumbed again to a recurrence of his hamstring injury and he was replaced by club captain Ryan Farmer. United finally made the break through after 22 mins when quick thinking between Boyd and Bremner saw the latter break forward and strike and early shot low into the bottom corner while the defence was still setting itself. This settled a few of the nerves that had started to appear as United had struggled to use the climatic advantage in the early exchanges when far too many passes were over hit. United had thought they had scored again after twenty minutes when yet another B Gray monster throw was knocked home but R Sutherland was adjudged to illegally manoeuvred a defender from the flight of the ball. Gavin Bremner then doubled both his and United’s tally with fifteen minutes still left in the half when another of his freekicks arced in over the defence and found its way into the corner of the net to further buoy the United contingent. Another goal at this point would have been a huge body blow to JOG who realised if they stayed within touching distance until the turnaround they would be still in with a great chance. Groats did have the ball in the net five minutes before time but unfortunately for then referee Wheatcroft had blown sometime earlier after spotting Stephen’s handball in the area as he controlled the ball. The final action of the half saw Tait at full stretch to deny Baker a run in on goal after Farquhar had slipped the ball through for the midfielder.
Half time
John O’Groats 0-2 Pentland United
United actually opened the second half in a more positive manner playing far slicker football than in the first period Beattie did well down the right creating room for Farquhar who clipped the ball across goal looking for Nichol but he was thwarted by Sinclair at the near post. However united did pull three clear on 50 mins and it was an exquisite piece of skill from Nichol that brought it all about Bremner and Baker linked before feeding Farquhar who laid the ball back to Nichol he deftly pulled the ball back drawing the challenge from Mowat that left referee Wheatcroft absolutely no option but to point to the spot. Nichol himself took on the responsibility after Brian Gray’s miss in the previous match and he placed the ball firmly to Malcolm’s right into the bottom corner leaving the keeper no chance. Groats immediately set about re-organising their team ex-Cowdenbeath man Mowat pushed into a midfield role and had an immediate impact as he was involved in the Groats goal on the hour mark creating space before feeding Stuart Sinclair who rocketed the ball past a startled Gray from 20 yards. Groats at this point were very much in the ascendancy although it was through sheer numbers of players that were thrown forward than any great quality of chances. A David Mowat quickly taken freekick allowed the goal scorer Sinclair to peel of Farmer and nod the ball back across goal and into the danger area but it eluded the inrushing Martin Sinclair and Baker mopped up the danger. John Skinner was showing al of his experience and reading of the game as he marshalled the back line and he did very well to rob M Sinclair of the ball after the young striker had beaten Boyd in the right back area. The Groats pressure lasted 20 minutes before the end when United earned some vital breathing space and it started after Farquhar and Boyd linked brilliantly down the right leaving the big defender rampaging towards goal S Sinclair managed to tackle him right at the death but at the expense of a corner. Bremner’s first flag kick was partially cleared to Sutherland who found his central midfield colleague on the right this time he sent a powerful volley goalward, Malcolm parried well but was helpless as Boyd rather fittingly volleyed in the rebound to all but kill of the Groats challenge. Beattie was then removed as a precaution when he seemed to pull up with a possible hamstring injury and manager Duncan Gray was in no mood to take risks after losing Inrig so he replaced him with Cook. The big man’s first involvement almost saw Baker strike gold as yet again he made a tremendous supporting run looking for Cook’s knockdown after Farquhar found him with a great cross field pass but it was jut to close to keeper Malcolm. Bobby Thorburn entered the fray replacing Nichol leaving the striker a well earned rest and allowing Bobby a run-out on his return from an ankle knock that had kept him out against Rovers. The final goal of the night was the pick of the bunch when a beautifully flighted Baker pass saw Cook on the run he took a delightful touch before flicking the ball past the diving Malcolm to complete an excellent move.
Full time
John O’Groats 1-5 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. H Boyd 4. J Skinner 5. M Baker 6. G Bremner (c) 7. W Inrig (R Farmer 15) 8. R Sutherland 9. M Nichol (R Thorburn 80) 10. T Farquhar 11. R Beattie (M Cook 70)
Subs not used:
G Mackay, D Manson
View from the goal
A brilliant three points in a really difficult match although perhaps the scoreline hides the effort that was required to win it. We actually played far better against the wind than with it early doors we were poor struggling to find rhythm and any quality in our passing but gradually we came good and the second 45 was excellent. The midfield had a real big shift to put in and they didn’t disappoint every one of them were top notch. We knew what we would get in Groats 100% effort right to the final whistle and they have a tremendous work ethic that will stand them alright in the remaining matches this year. We now move on to another notoriously difficult fixture when we travel across Dunnet Bay on Monday, which will require another mammoth effort.
Half time
John O’Groats 0-2 Pentland United
United actually opened the second half in a more positive manner playing far slicker football than in the first period Beattie did well down the right creating room for Farquhar who clipped the ball across goal looking for Nichol but he was thwarted by Sinclair at the near post. However united did pull three clear on 50 mins and it was an exquisite piece of skill from Nichol that brought it all about Bremner and Baker linked before feeding Farquhar who laid the ball back to Nichol he deftly pulled the ball back drawing the challenge from Mowat that left referee Wheatcroft absolutely no option but to point to the spot. Nichol himself took on the responsibility after Brian Gray’s miss in the previous match and he placed the ball firmly to Malcolm’s right into the bottom corner leaving the keeper no chance. Groats immediately set about re-organising their team ex-Cowdenbeath man Mowat pushed into a midfield role and had an immediate impact as he was involved in the Groats goal on the hour mark creating space before feeding Stuart Sinclair who rocketed the ball past a startled Gray from 20 yards. Groats at this point were very much in the ascendancy although it was through sheer numbers of players that were thrown forward than any great quality of chances. A David Mowat quickly taken freekick allowed the goal scorer Sinclair to peel of Farmer and nod the ball back across goal and into the danger area but it eluded the inrushing Martin Sinclair and Baker mopped up the danger. John Skinner was showing al of his experience and reading of the game as he marshalled the back line and he did very well to rob M Sinclair of the ball after the young striker had beaten Boyd in the right back area. The Groats pressure lasted 20 minutes before the end when United earned some vital breathing space and it started after Farquhar and Boyd linked brilliantly down the right leaving the big defender rampaging towards goal S Sinclair managed to tackle him right at the death but at the expense of a corner. Bremner’s first flag kick was partially cleared to Sutherland who found his central midfield colleague on the right this time he sent a powerful volley goalward, Malcolm parried well but was helpless as Boyd rather fittingly volleyed in the rebound to all but kill of the Groats challenge. Beattie was then removed as a precaution when he seemed to pull up with a possible hamstring injury and manager Duncan Gray was in no mood to take risks after losing Inrig so he replaced him with Cook. The big man’s first involvement almost saw Baker strike gold as yet again he made a tremendous supporting run looking for Cook’s knockdown after Farquhar found him with a great cross field pass but it was jut to close to keeper Malcolm. Bobby Thorburn entered the fray replacing Nichol leaving the striker a well earned rest and allowing Bobby a run-out on his return from an ankle knock that had kept him out against Rovers. The final goal of the night was the pick of the bunch when a beautifully flighted Baker pass saw Cook on the run he took a delightful touch before flicking the ball past the diving Malcolm to complete an excellent move.
Full time
John O’Groats 1-5 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. H Boyd 4. J Skinner 5. M Baker 6. G Bremner (c) 7. W Inrig (R Farmer 15) 8. R Sutherland 9. M Nichol (R Thorburn 80) 10. T Farquhar 11. R Beattie (M Cook 70)
Subs not used:
G Mackay, D Manson
View from the goal
A brilliant three points in a really difficult match although perhaps the scoreline hides the effort that was required to win it. We actually played far better against the wind than with it early doors we were poor struggling to find rhythm and any quality in our passing but gradually we came good and the second 45 was excellent. The midfield had a real big shift to put in and they didn’t disappoint every one of them were top notch. We knew what we would get in Groats 100% effort right to the final whistle and they have a tremendous work ethic that will stand them alright in the remaining matches this year. We now move on to another notoriously difficult fixture when we travel across Dunnet Bay on Monday, which will require another mammoth effort.