Post by Michael Gray on Jun 24, 2005 15:58:04 GMT
United made three changes to the squad that defeated Thurso Pentland on Monday night with Luke ‘Casta’ Cassidy, Ewen Boyd and Mark Makhouli replacing Martin Cook, Gary Mackay and Jocky Sutherland. United opened brightly and had their opponents struggling to get possession of the ball as they knocked it around patiently awaiting and the opening eventually came after 7 mins, top scorer Mark Nichol wheeling in the penalty area to fire a fine low shot past Dunbar after good work by Beattie. The advantage was doubled minutes later when the provider turned scorer rising superbly at the back post unchallenged to bullet home a far post cross from Makhouli as United continued to press on the gas. The movement and passing so disappointing on Monday seemed to return in abundance as the midfield trio of Inrig, Bremner and Farmer dictated the tempo of the game raising the pace every time the second division outfit looked like causing trouble. The visiting support had barely finished celebrating the second goal when the third came about wonderful feet work from Cassidy down the right saw him leave MacLean in his wake before producing a fine centre that Nichol volleyed home from 6 yards. The realisation of how poorly they had played on Monday had obviously struck a chord with the side as they produced some wonderfully slick football prising open the home defence who with Sinclair and Lowe at centre defence seemed to be over run. It was 4 before the 20th minute this Beattie was the recipient of Cassidy’s unselfishness again breaking clear he drew the keeper before squaring the ball allowing the striker a simple tap in. United continued to dominate proceedings and Willie Inrig returning from injury marked his comeback with a well taken goal bursting into the box he took a touch before firing the ball across the helpless Dunbar. On the half hour mark ace marksman Nichol completed his hat trick when Cassidy burst clear drew Dunbar before once again laying the ball on a plate to Nichol who tapped into the empty net. At this point Joes started to compete and pushed on and scored after forcing a corner Lowe flicked Foy’s flag kick in via Gray in the away goal. This only seemed to stir United back into action a fine turn from Beattie allowed him to slip the ball into Cassidy he showed great feet to beat Smith before delightfully flicking the ball over the advancing Dunbar for number 7. The half’s scoring was completed after 40 mins when Nichol met Beattie’s corner and nodded the ball down for skipper Ryan Farmer to force the ball home from close range.
Half time
Top Joes 1-8 Pentland United
The impetus that United had built up in the first half was never going to be continued in the second period as they seemed more intent on keeping possession than attacking with the same vigour as before. Ten minutes into the half United further increased their lead when Beattie latched onto a superb long ball from Brian Gray and he squared the ball for Nichol who stepped inside the diving Dunbar before slotting the ball into the corner of the net. This marked wholesale changes in the United line-up with ‘Large Edward’ Boyd, Derek Manson and Ross Sutherland replacing Bremner. Beattie and Inrig with the weekend in mind. The game went into a lull as the fresh faces bedded into the game but soon United were back into the swing of things and hit double figures after Nichol slipped in Manson who ran on from 30 yards to finish confidently from 15 yards. Top Joes then started competing again and created one or two half chances although none that seriously troubled Gray in the visitor’s goal. Manson helped himself to a second goal with just under 20 mins left when this time Nichol did the spade work working his way to the bye line before cutting the ball back for the inrushing substitute to tap home the easiest of chances, As mentioned before Joes were making a fight of it and they doubled their tally with 15 minutes to go when Foy won the ball in midfield and fed MacLean on the right he drew Boyd and Gray before crossing for Johns to flick the ball home. However the final action of the night was fittingly left to Cassidy when Thorburn found him with a pass down the right he cut inside Smith before unleashing a powerful 20 yard left foot drive that flew into the bottom corner.
Full time
Top Joes 2-12 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. R Thorburn 4. M Baker 5. G Bremner (E Boyd 55) 6. R Farmer (c) 7. W Inrig (R Sutherland 55) 8. M Makhouli 9. M Nichol 10. L Cassidy 11. R Beattie (D Manson 55)
View from the goal
A much improved performance against a side that have improved this season we knocked the ball about well and constantly asked questions of their defence. We now move into the first round proper and it doesn’t get any harder than the league leaders on their own patch massive game in what will be the first half of a double header against the Acks. However before then we have the small matter of an HA Cup tie versus Whalsay who will be extremely difficult opponents and if we are not at our very best we won’t be in the competition after Saturday.
Half time
Top Joes 1-8 Pentland United
The impetus that United had built up in the first half was never going to be continued in the second period as they seemed more intent on keeping possession than attacking with the same vigour as before. Ten minutes into the half United further increased their lead when Beattie latched onto a superb long ball from Brian Gray and he squared the ball for Nichol who stepped inside the diving Dunbar before slotting the ball into the corner of the net. This marked wholesale changes in the United line-up with ‘Large Edward’ Boyd, Derek Manson and Ross Sutherland replacing Bremner. Beattie and Inrig with the weekend in mind. The game went into a lull as the fresh faces bedded into the game but soon United were back into the swing of things and hit double figures after Nichol slipped in Manson who ran on from 30 yards to finish confidently from 15 yards. Top Joes then started competing again and created one or two half chances although none that seriously troubled Gray in the visitor’s goal. Manson helped himself to a second goal with just under 20 mins left when this time Nichol did the spade work working his way to the bye line before cutting the ball back for the inrushing substitute to tap home the easiest of chances, As mentioned before Joes were making a fight of it and they doubled their tally with 15 minutes to go when Foy won the ball in midfield and fed MacLean on the right he drew Boyd and Gray before crossing for Johns to flick the ball home. However the final action of the night was fittingly left to Cassidy when Thorburn found him with a pass down the right he cut inside Smith before unleashing a powerful 20 yard left foot drive that flew into the bottom corner.
Full time
Top Joes 2-12 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. R Thorburn 4. M Baker 5. G Bremner (E Boyd 55) 6. R Farmer (c) 7. W Inrig (R Sutherland 55) 8. M Makhouli 9. M Nichol 10. L Cassidy 11. R Beattie (D Manson 55)
View from the goal
A much improved performance against a side that have improved this season we knocked the ball about well and constantly asked questions of their defence. We now move into the first round proper and it doesn’t get any harder than the league leaders on their own patch massive game in what will be the first half of a double header against the Acks. However before then we have the small matter of an HA Cup tie versus Whalsay who will be extremely difficult opponents and if we are not at our very best we won’t be in the competition after Saturday.