Post by Michael Gray on Jul 14, 2005 9:54:52 GMT
United arrived down in Lybster with the conditions perfect for both football and midges. United made several changes with the weekend line-up in mind they decided to give Inrig another opportunity to improve his fitness on the road to recovery and also included returning holiday maker Tony Farquhar. Lybster made a dream start when United lost possession in the centre of the park and Henderson strode forward before feeding G Budge who produced an excellent turn before planting a shot into the bottom corner to the delight of the home crowd. The visitors response was swift and clinical Martin Baker and Mark Makhouli linked up to release Tony Farquhar down the left his cross was expertly controlled by Mark Nichol before playing in his strike partner Luke ‘Casta’ Cassidy who wasted no time in sweeping the ball past Sutherland. The speed of the response definitely helped United as Lybster is always a tricky venue but they started to play themselves into the game and Mark Makhouli was the width of the post from gaining the lead from United when he picked up a loose ball 20 yards out he took a touch before unleashing a powerful drive that cannoned off the upright. However the lead was only delayed momentarily as United forged ahead after ten minutes when Gavin Bremner took a short corner with Mark Makhouli before sweeping in a far post cross, which was met by Mark Nichol who sent a looping header goalwards that Sutherland did very well to tip away but Farquhar showed his predatory instincts to volley home the rebound. Gavin Bremner was next to try his luck when he unleashed a wicked freekick from fully 25 yards that was dipping all the way before clipping the bar on the way over. Lybster continued to play neat football when attacking although they always looked vulnerable at the back and an impressive run from goalscorer Budge earned a freekick on the edge of the area and an opportunity to draw level after referee Sinclair adjudged Brian Gray to have brought him down although how much contact was made is debateable but the acrobatic fall probably earned the award, the same player dusted himself down to take the set-piece and his effort was shovelled round the post by Gray perhaps a little unconvincingly. The lead was stretched after 20 mins when long ball down the left channel seemed to be a lost cause for Cassidy but he harried Macmillan into a short pass back and Sutherlands attempted clearance crashed off the striker presenting him with the simplest of chances. Minutes later the striker turned provider as his corner was met at the near post by Tony Farquhar and he flicked the ball in for his second of the game. The big striker duly completed his second hat-trick of the season when he stole a march on his marker to meet a Beattie corner this time and make it 5-1. The halves scoring was completed five minutes before the break when Cassidy found space on the left touchline to fire in a superb cross for the inrushing Beattie to glance past the helpless Sutherland.
Half time
Lybster 1-6 Pentland United
Cassidy was keen to get himself another goal and complete his hat trick and he made his intentions quite clear from the very start of the half firing a freekick from the edge of the box over the bar. Mark Makhouli then produced some sublime skill on the left hand side of the park stepping away from two tackles and cut across the byeline but his attempted cut back was cleared by Miller. Ten minutes into the second half Farquhar nipped his fourth of the game when after a ping-pong session in the Lybster box he fired the ball in on the turn sweeping the ball high past Sutherland. United then introduced club captain Ryan Farmer back into the fray after missing a couple of games at the expense of Mark Nichol who sits the next two matches out due to suspension. The substitute almost made an immediate impact controlling a loose ball on the edge of the box with his chest he fired in a dipping volley that was just off target. Russel Beattie produced a superb run just after the hour mark when he stepped away from a couple of challenges and raced to the edge of the box but once again the wall of Lybster defenders blocked away his effort. Martin Cook then entered the fray replacing Willie Inrig giving the midfielder a rest on his comeback trail the flame haired substitute made an early contribution meeting Sutherlands goal kick he powered the ball to Farquhar who produced a delicate touch releasing his partner in crime Cassidy who raced clear before firing low and hard into the net. With around twenty minutes remianing United made their third and final substitution replacing Martin Baker with Bobby Thorburn. With fifteen minutes left Gary Mackay robbed Gunn 30 yards from his own goal he strode forward before producing a fine sweeping ball that Cassidy dummied allowing Farquhar to race clear into the box but his low drive was well blocked by Sutherland. However Farquhar duly completed his haul with ten minutes remaining when he again met a Cassidy corner and bulleted the ball high into the roof of the net. Lybster tried to respond in the closing stages of the game twice going close and G Budge was involved in both occasions firstly outstripping the United defence before screwing his shot from the angle well wide of the target. He then linked up well Gunn before racing into the box but his cross was to far in front of Shepherd and the final opportunity of the game was lost.
Full time
Lybster 1-9 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker (B Thorburn 68) 4. G Mackay 5. G Bremner (c) 6. W Inrig (M Cook 65) 7. R Beattie 8. M Makhouli 9. M Nichol (R Farmer 58) 10. T Farquhar 11. L Cassidy
View from the goal
A shocker of a start but the boys recovered really well to come on very strong and score some excellent goals. We showed good movement and always looked a threat in front of goal. Also good to see Tony and Willie back involved obviously for different reasons they have been missing but can now bolster the squad for the final push. That completes our away fixtures for the league season and we have managed a 100% record, which we are delighted with just a pity our home form doesn’t match up. Obviously a tough night for Lybster but I was impressed how they continued to try and play football and some of their young boys look to have a real future in the game. Saturday brings another huge game obviously missing Mark our top scorer is a huge blow but we will need to regroup and get the result that would take us into the semis.
Half time
Lybster 1-6 Pentland United
Cassidy was keen to get himself another goal and complete his hat trick and he made his intentions quite clear from the very start of the half firing a freekick from the edge of the box over the bar. Mark Makhouli then produced some sublime skill on the left hand side of the park stepping away from two tackles and cut across the byeline but his attempted cut back was cleared by Miller. Ten minutes into the second half Farquhar nipped his fourth of the game when after a ping-pong session in the Lybster box he fired the ball in on the turn sweeping the ball high past Sutherland. United then introduced club captain Ryan Farmer back into the fray after missing a couple of games at the expense of Mark Nichol who sits the next two matches out due to suspension. The substitute almost made an immediate impact controlling a loose ball on the edge of the box with his chest he fired in a dipping volley that was just off target. Russel Beattie produced a superb run just after the hour mark when he stepped away from a couple of challenges and raced to the edge of the box but once again the wall of Lybster defenders blocked away his effort. Martin Cook then entered the fray replacing Willie Inrig giving the midfielder a rest on his comeback trail the flame haired substitute made an early contribution meeting Sutherlands goal kick he powered the ball to Farquhar who produced a delicate touch releasing his partner in crime Cassidy who raced clear before firing low and hard into the net. With around twenty minutes remianing United made their third and final substitution replacing Martin Baker with Bobby Thorburn. With fifteen minutes left Gary Mackay robbed Gunn 30 yards from his own goal he strode forward before producing a fine sweeping ball that Cassidy dummied allowing Farquhar to race clear into the box but his low drive was well blocked by Sutherland. However Farquhar duly completed his haul with ten minutes remaining when he again met a Cassidy corner and bulleted the ball high into the roof of the net. Lybster tried to respond in the closing stages of the game twice going close and G Budge was involved in both occasions firstly outstripping the United defence before screwing his shot from the angle well wide of the target. He then linked up well Gunn before racing into the box but his cross was to far in front of Shepherd and the final opportunity of the game was lost.
Full time
Lybster 1-9 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker (B Thorburn 68) 4. G Mackay 5. G Bremner (c) 6. W Inrig (M Cook 65) 7. R Beattie 8. M Makhouli 9. M Nichol (R Farmer 58) 10. T Farquhar 11. L Cassidy
View from the goal
A shocker of a start but the boys recovered really well to come on very strong and score some excellent goals. We showed good movement and always looked a threat in front of goal. Also good to see Tony and Willie back involved obviously for different reasons they have been missing but can now bolster the squad for the final push. That completes our away fixtures for the league season and we have managed a 100% record, which we are delighted with just a pity our home form doesn’t match up. Obviously a tough night for Lybster but I was impressed how they continued to try and play football and some of their young boys look to have a real future in the game. Saturday brings another huge game obviously missing Mark our top scorer is a huge blow but we will need to regroup and get the result that would take us into the semis.