Post by Michael Gray on Jun 2, 2005 7:51:16 GMT
Glorious Bank Holiday weather greeted United in Castletown for this crucial league encounter. United were minus Derek Manson, Gavin Bremner and Willie Inrig from the squad that faced JOG but did include recent signing Mark Makhouli. The Dunnet men opened up well intent on pressing back the home side back and almost had the lead after five minutes a wicked inswinging cross from Beattie saw Farquhar flick the ball on for Boyd at the back post but his volley just slipped by the post. Castletown again boosted by the appearance of Wick Academy player Gary Weir were putting up stern resistance but struggling to create any goal scoring opportunities although keeper Gray caused a few flutters in the home defence when he spilled a routine take from a Shearer cross but he reacted quickly enough to avert any danger. The visitors took the lead after 12 minutes and it came direct via a Beattie corner, which was whipped in at pace eluding Thomson in the home goal although McGill made a desperate attempt to clear it away he only succeeded in sending the ball further into the net. United were on top at this point although there was a real lack of fluidity about their football too often moves were breaking down through a lack of communication and this seemed to run throughout the side. A lovely turn by Beattie in the centre of the park saw him find time and space to set Nichol in on goal although slightly to the right of goal but the normally deadly marksman only succeeded in finding the side net. The home side carved out their first opportunity after twenty minutes when Murray broke down the left and swept in a cross, Welsh stole a march on his marker Baker but his shot lacked any real power and Gray smothered the ball comfortably. After 25 mins United missed a glorious chance to the extend their lead Farquhar flicked on a long Gray clearance and Beattie raced clear he brilliantly side stepped Thomson but as he stretched to finish the move he only succeeded in firing the ball past the post. Castletown continued to respond in a positive manner and Mackay had a decent volley saved from the penalty spot after Weir had made a decent break down the right. The game had now settled into a decent contest with Castletown knocking the ball about well in midfield but still struggling to create a quality opening. The all too familiar breakdown in communication within the United camp was apparent 5 mins before the interval when Baker played in a great ball for Beattie he took the ball on the run well but instead of shooting he back heeled the ball to Nichol who had called but he was easily crowded out. In the last action of the half skipper Farmer was prevented from a goal scoring opportunity when Baker intervened at the very last moment and flicked the ball away as the striker was preparing to strike.
Half time
Castletown 0-1 Pentland United
Neither team made any changes as they prepared for the second 45 mins, United again started far more positively and purposely as they looked for the comfort of a second goal. Within five minutes they were presented with another superb opening when Nichol released Beattie he strode passed Thomson and stroked the ball goalwards only for Florence to make a heroic goal line clearance to deny the striker once again. United were flying now and the chances were beginning to come more frequently. Niall Murray the two goal hero the last time the two sides met nearly managed to break through on the hour mark stepping away from Boyd he raced towards the edge of the box but Skinner did enough to hold him up before Gray completed the clearance. United replied through Cook when he did brilliantly skipping away from a couple of challenges down the right got to the bye before cutting back to Beattie on the penalty spot and he did everything technically right apart from hit the target as he drove the ball low and hard in on the half volley. This was to be the hitman’s last involvement as he was replaced by debutant Makhouli on 70 mins who settled in to the attack and almost made an immediate impact when Nichol did well linking with Cook down the right before delivering a telling cross but the substitute stretching couldn’t quite direct his volley goalwards. The pace of the game was beginning to tell as the number of fouls being committed became ever more frequent however referee Sinclair continued to play advantage at every opportunity in an impressive display by the whistler. Mark Makhouli was inches from capping his debut with a wonder strike with fifteen minutes remaining when he unleashed a sensational drive from 25 yards that had Thomson beaten but it missed the target by inches. United continued to press for the killer goal and Farquhar this time was denied after picking up a loose ball 30 yards out he drove in on goal drawing the keeper before attempting to slide the ball past him but the Thomson spread himself well pulling off the save of the match. The squandered chances began to give the home side real hope and for the last ten minutes they gained the upper hand as nervousness crept into the visitors display. Firstly Welsh was inches away after Mackay knocked down a header from the penalty spot but the big striker failed to make contact although he looked suspiciously offside. Minutes later Manson sliced the ball wide under intense pressure from a combination of Cook and Boyd after Murray had swept in a ball from the right. Right on the final whistle substitute Sutherland on for Weir set off on an electric run down the left before driving in a low cross that beat Gray but also eluded all the inrushing strikers and with that referee Sinclair brought the proceedings to a close.
Full time
Castletown 0-1 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. H Boyd 4. J Skinner 5. M Baker 6. R Farmer (c) 7. M Cook 8. R Sutherland 9. M Nichol 10. T Farquhar 11. R Beattie (M Makhouli 70)
Subs not used:
G Mackay, R Thorburn
View from the goal
Another priceless 3 points although we made life far more difficult for ourselves than was necessary by failing to take some of the glorious chances that we created. Nevertheless winning in Castletown is no mean feat and we would have taken a 1-0 victory before the start without a shadow of a doubt thought Tony and Rossco were our top performers on the night and both delivered 5 star shows. Also great to see Marky Makhouli in a Canisbay shirt and I am sure between now and the end of the season he will prove to be a top player for us. We now move on to the HA Cup and another huge match and I doubt last night will have any bearing at all. We will again have to match their energy levels but also add a little composure to our finishing.
Half time
Castletown 0-1 Pentland United
Neither team made any changes as they prepared for the second 45 mins, United again started far more positively and purposely as they looked for the comfort of a second goal. Within five minutes they were presented with another superb opening when Nichol released Beattie he strode passed Thomson and stroked the ball goalwards only for Florence to make a heroic goal line clearance to deny the striker once again. United were flying now and the chances were beginning to come more frequently. Niall Murray the two goal hero the last time the two sides met nearly managed to break through on the hour mark stepping away from Boyd he raced towards the edge of the box but Skinner did enough to hold him up before Gray completed the clearance. United replied through Cook when he did brilliantly skipping away from a couple of challenges down the right got to the bye before cutting back to Beattie on the penalty spot and he did everything technically right apart from hit the target as he drove the ball low and hard in on the half volley. This was to be the hitman’s last involvement as he was replaced by debutant Makhouli on 70 mins who settled in to the attack and almost made an immediate impact when Nichol did well linking with Cook down the right before delivering a telling cross but the substitute stretching couldn’t quite direct his volley goalwards. The pace of the game was beginning to tell as the number of fouls being committed became ever more frequent however referee Sinclair continued to play advantage at every opportunity in an impressive display by the whistler. Mark Makhouli was inches from capping his debut with a wonder strike with fifteen minutes remaining when he unleashed a sensational drive from 25 yards that had Thomson beaten but it missed the target by inches. United continued to press for the killer goal and Farquhar this time was denied after picking up a loose ball 30 yards out he drove in on goal drawing the keeper before attempting to slide the ball past him but the Thomson spread himself well pulling off the save of the match. The squandered chances began to give the home side real hope and for the last ten minutes they gained the upper hand as nervousness crept into the visitors display. Firstly Welsh was inches away after Mackay knocked down a header from the penalty spot but the big striker failed to make contact although he looked suspiciously offside. Minutes later Manson sliced the ball wide under intense pressure from a combination of Cook and Boyd after Murray had swept in a ball from the right. Right on the final whistle substitute Sutherland on for Weir set off on an electric run down the left before driving in a low cross that beat Gray but also eluded all the inrushing strikers and with that referee Sinclair brought the proceedings to a close.
Full time
Castletown 0-1 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. H Boyd 4. J Skinner 5. M Baker 6. R Farmer (c) 7. M Cook 8. R Sutherland 9. M Nichol 10. T Farquhar 11. R Beattie (M Makhouli 70)
Subs not used:
G Mackay, R Thorburn
View from the goal
Another priceless 3 points although we made life far more difficult for ourselves than was necessary by failing to take some of the glorious chances that we created. Nevertheless winning in Castletown is no mean feat and we would have taken a 1-0 victory before the start without a shadow of a doubt thought Tony and Rossco were our top performers on the night and both delivered 5 star shows. Also great to see Marky Makhouli in a Canisbay shirt and I am sure between now and the end of the season he will prove to be a top player for us. We now move on to the HA Cup and another huge match and I doubt last night will have any bearing at all. We will again have to match their energy levels but also add a little composure to our finishing.