Post by Michael Gray on Jul 18, 2005 15:02:44 GMT
Pretty much due to form for a Caithness County show day the heavens opened and rain poured down prior to kick-off for this Highland Amateur Cup quarter final. The visitors took the proverbial dream start after less than five minutes when Kennedy ran on to a long though ball and showed good composure to guide the ball past the encroaching Gray. However the drama hadn’t even begun to unfold when Bremner tried to find Beattie racing into the area on the right Anderson blocked the ball but it ran into the path of Farquhar who was brought crashing to the ground by McCraw, referee Arrowsmith immediately pointed to the spot and after the uproar had settled down gave the keeper his marching orders. Gavin Bremner stepped up to bullet the ball past stand in keeper Hutchinson to level the game inside ten minutes. The visitors response to going a man down though was to dominate proceedings right through to the half time interval their running off the ball and use of the ball rattled United who struggled to contain them for long spells. They duly took the lead after a break down the left saw Watt cut the ball back for MacLean on the edge of the box who took a touch before planting a left foot shot into the corner of the net. The hosts were rocked but still they had the occasional chance to claw their way back into the game a deep freekick from Bremner picked out Sutherland at the back post and his intelligent header across goal found no takers. The front combination of Watt and Jack though were giving the United defensive line a tough time and Skinner was penalised on the edge of the area for a challenge on Watt, which presented Avoch with another opening but on this occasion MacLean could only find the centre of the wall. He came a lot closer minutes later unleashing a powerful drive from 20 yards that had Gray scrambling. The frustration in the United camp boiled over after 25 mins when Cassidy was cautioned for a challenge on Macaskill on the half way line, which left the defender requiring treatment. The young striker then had a good chance to level the game when he capitalised on the Macaskill’s slip to race clear but stand in keeper Hutchinson stood up well to block the effort. The Black Isle men then scored a third goal it came about after a long freekick from MacLean was headed away by Skinner at the expense of a corner. Reid’s set piece broke kindly off Gray for MacDougall who turned in a fine cross that Watt delightfully flicked into the net with his head to send the away fans into raptures. In the dying minutes of the half United had another half chance to respond when another freekick from the right was only half cleared as far as Sutherland on the penalty spot but his low drive was again well handled by Hutchinson.
Half time
Pentland United 1-3 Avoch
The half-time roasting obviously worked wonders as the United side entered the park with a renewed vigour and within minutes came close a deep Bremner freekick found its way to Brian Gray who took a fine first touch before blasting in a low volley that Reid blocked away. But the wait for the goal was only momentary as Gray hurled in a long throw and Tony Farquhar rose highest to flick the ball home. The momentum had swung and United were now in the ascendancy dominating possession and territory but they were still struggling to create decent openings apart from set-pieces, which were a huge source of joy after 55 mins Ross Sutherland was inches away from connecting with a vicious Bremner freekick that only required the merest of touches. The same players linked minutes later but Hutchinson easily gathered Sutherland’s back header. With 65 minutes on the clock though the roof caved in on United a break from Beattie and Inrig saw the midfielder sweep in a cross that was cleared by Kennedy and he drove 45 yards up the park before feeding Reid who whose cross saw Baker clear on the stretch but only as far as Jack the striker took a decent touch before sending a low drive from 18 yards into the bottom corner past the helpless Gray. Instead of putting their heads down United responded positively and clinically there seemed little danger when Makhouli picked the ball up on the left touchline but the midfielder showed exquisite skill to beat Reid and Macaskill he then waltzed past MacDougall only to be upended by the centre half and once again referee Arrowsmith pointed to the spot again the man in the middle had to deal with some barracking from the Avoch contingent and booked keeper Hutchinson, Bremner again made an immaculate job of the penalty and it was game on once more. United decided to freshen things up with just under 20 mins remaining Thorburn and Farmer replacing Inrig and Cassidy the re-jig saw Makhouli pushed further forward and Baker took up a position on the left of the midfield. The move to push Makhouli further forward nearly paid immediate dividends when he found space 25 yards out but his left foot drive was always going wide. Ryan Farmer had a chance with ten minutes remaining when he took a clearance on his chest before unleashing a decent volley at goal but again Hutchinson was well placed. With five minutes remaining United were presented with another chance when Beattie was upended on the edge of the box but Bremner’s freekick was sliced wide. The final action of the game saw another deep freekick from Bremner pick out Baker on the run he took a touch before driving in a shot but he pulled his effort wide.
Full time
Pentland United 3-4 Avoch
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. J Skinner 5. G Bremner (c) 6. W Inrig (R Farmer 72) 7. R Sutherland 8. M Makhouli 9. R Beattie 10. T Farquhar 11. L Cassidy (B Thorburn 72)
View from the goal
We weren’t good enough on the day plain and simple they dominated proceedings in the first 45 even with 10 men and we can have no complaints about going in 3-1 down. Having said that we had our chances and on another day they might of gone in but alas it wasn’t to be. We never reacted particularly well to the situation and in for long spells of the first half were completely out of sorts but that is life and credit to Avoch they came with a game plan and it worked. Hugely disappointing for everyone involved with the club but such is life and we still have an opportunity to grab local silverware in the form of the DA shield and of course the league if we respond positively to this set back. Wednesday night now is a huge test Thistle are always a good side and will be a challenge but we must respond positively to keep our season on track.
Half time
Pentland United 1-3 Avoch
The half-time roasting obviously worked wonders as the United side entered the park with a renewed vigour and within minutes came close a deep Bremner freekick found its way to Brian Gray who took a fine first touch before blasting in a low volley that Reid blocked away. But the wait for the goal was only momentary as Gray hurled in a long throw and Tony Farquhar rose highest to flick the ball home. The momentum had swung and United were now in the ascendancy dominating possession and territory but they were still struggling to create decent openings apart from set-pieces, which were a huge source of joy after 55 mins Ross Sutherland was inches away from connecting with a vicious Bremner freekick that only required the merest of touches. The same players linked minutes later but Hutchinson easily gathered Sutherland’s back header. With 65 minutes on the clock though the roof caved in on United a break from Beattie and Inrig saw the midfielder sweep in a cross that was cleared by Kennedy and he drove 45 yards up the park before feeding Reid who whose cross saw Baker clear on the stretch but only as far as Jack the striker took a decent touch before sending a low drive from 18 yards into the bottom corner past the helpless Gray. Instead of putting their heads down United responded positively and clinically there seemed little danger when Makhouli picked the ball up on the left touchline but the midfielder showed exquisite skill to beat Reid and Macaskill he then waltzed past MacDougall only to be upended by the centre half and once again referee Arrowsmith pointed to the spot again the man in the middle had to deal with some barracking from the Avoch contingent and booked keeper Hutchinson, Bremner again made an immaculate job of the penalty and it was game on once more. United decided to freshen things up with just under 20 mins remaining Thorburn and Farmer replacing Inrig and Cassidy the re-jig saw Makhouli pushed further forward and Baker took up a position on the left of the midfield. The move to push Makhouli further forward nearly paid immediate dividends when he found space 25 yards out but his left foot drive was always going wide. Ryan Farmer had a chance with ten minutes remaining when he took a clearance on his chest before unleashing a decent volley at goal but again Hutchinson was well placed. With five minutes remaining United were presented with another chance when Beattie was upended on the edge of the box but Bremner’s freekick was sliced wide. The final action of the game saw another deep freekick from Bremner pick out Baker on the run he took a touch before driving in a shot but he pulled his effort wide.
Full time
Pentland United 3-4 Avoch
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. J Skinner 5. G Bremner (c) 6. W Inrig (R Farmer 72) 7. R Sutherland 8. M Makhouli 9. R Beattie 10. T Farquhar 11. L Cassidy (B Thorburn 72)
View from the goal
We weren’t good enough on the day plain and simple they dominated proceedings in the first 45 even with 10 men and we can have no complaints about going in 3-1 down. Having said that we had our chances and on another day they might of gone in but alas it wasn’t to be. We never reacted particularly well to the situation and in for long spells of the first half were completely out of sorts but that is life and credit to Avoch they came with a game plan and it worked. Hugely disappointing for everyone involved with the club but such is life and we still have an opportunity to grab local silverware in the form of the DA shield and of course the league if we respond positively to this set back. Wednesday night now is a huge test Thistle are always a good side and will be a challenge but we must respond positively to keep our season on track.