Post by Michael Gray on Jul 21, 2005 15:21:35 GMT
Another miserable night welcomed Thistle to Dunnet for this CAFA Division 1 league game United welcomed back Martin Cook and Gary Mackay but Bobby Thorburn missed through injury. Thistle won the toss and decided to play up the hill with the wind at their backs in the first period and they nearly made an early breakthrough when Davis made a break down the right before cutting back onto his favoured left foot and swinging in a dangerous cross that left major indecision in the home defensive resulting in the ball bouncing up just past the post. The home support thought their side had made the breakthrough just before the ten minute mark when Farquhar won a high cross in the challenge with Macleod but referee Sinclair adjudged the striker to have won the ball unfairly. United had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring after 12 mins when Cassidy broke clear onto a through ball from Brian Gray and just when it appeared the striker would tuck the ball away Keenan made a desperate challenge for the ball but only succeeded in upending the striker. Referee Sinclair had no option but to send the sweeper off after awarding the penalty and produced a second red card after he exchanged some views with referee. The normally deadly Gavin Bremner took the kick but keeper Macleod pulled off a fine save down low to his left and Cassidy was crowded out before he could fire in the rebound. Thistle seemed to great heart from the miss and began to look a little more menacing Gordie Steven leading the way with a powerful shot from fully 30 yards that keeper Gray had to handle with care. Sandy Sutherland then followed suit when he made room for himself on the edge of the area and he fired in another powerful effort but it was just the wrong side of the post. Macleod then denied Gavin Bremner once again after the midfielder made another superb run to the near post to meet a Cassidy cross after fine link up play between the two. Gordie Steven again showed his shooting prowess after 25 mins when he turned Gavin Bremner before rocketing in another fine long range shot but it never dipped late enough to trouble Gray. The pressure slowly started to build from the half hour mark on United using either flank stretching the play with the midfield trio of Bremner, Farmer and Inrig probing away as Thistle began to lose their shape until the break through was finally made five minutes before the interval, fine play between Bremner and Farquhar released Inrig racing into the heart of the visitors defence but his run was abruptly brought to an end by Steven who unfortunately for himself picked up a thigh strain at the same time. Gavin Bremner took responsibility for the kick and unleashed a powerful drive that beat Macleod low into his bottom left corner from 25 yards.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Wick Thistle
United opened sprightly and Mark Makhouli made a fine dash down the left before producing a teasing cross into the near post where Macleod managed to half clear the ball ahead of Cassidy. The second goal came ten minutes into the half and it was the Gray long throw Farquhar combination that did the job the tall striker rising highest to nod home at the near post. United stepped up the pace then for a ten minute spell in which they threatened to hammer home their numerical advantage, Mark Makhouli producing a delightful cross from deep that found Cassidy in the box but the striker never got a hold of his volley properly and Macleod scooped it round the post. Gavin Bremner then let fly from 25 yards but his shot was high and wide minutes later Willie Inrig did likewise after some neat inter play between Farmer and Cassidy. The killer third goal came after 65 mins Willie Inrig received a short freekick on the right hand side of the park drove a few yards towards the angle of the box before unleashing a superb long range effort that looked goal bound but Russel Beattie nipped in to make absolute certain volleying home at the far post much to his team mates disgust. United immediately announced changes with Martin Cook, Gary Mackay and Ross Sutherland replacing the southern duo of Farquhar and Skinner while also giving Luke Cassidy an early rest. United were certainly enjoying plenty of possession and moved the ball about quite nicely but were struggling to create quality openings and Thistle continued to attack when ever presented with an opportunity Traill in particular was making regular forays down the left. With fifteen minutes remaining substitute Cook had a chance to score when a through ball from Makhouli found him on the edge of the box he produced a fine turn and appeared to be caught by the trailing leg of Martin as the striker looked to go past the defender but referee Sinclair was having none of it and waved away the claims. With ten minutes left United had another good opportunity to score again a lung bursting run from Bremner was found by Cook the powerful midfielder’s shot brought out another decent save from Macleod, Bremner retrieved the ball and laid it back to Makhouli who’s powerful shot from 16 yards narrowly missed the top corner. The final chance of the game fell to the visitors when substitute Henderson burst into the box his shot was half stopped by Gray and retreating sweeper Gary Mackay completed the clearance from the 6 yard line.
Full time
Pentland United 3-0 Wick Thistle
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. J Skinner (G Mackay 68) 5. G Bremner (c) 6. W Inrig 7. R Farmer (c) 8. M Makhouli 9. R Beattie 10. T Farquhar (M Cook 68) 11. L Cassidy (R Sutherland 68)
View from the goal
We played well in spells and looked good when we did but for long spells we huffed and puffed without making any real impression on the game. After missing the pen we took a wee while to settle into the game and were maybe feeling a bit sorry for ourselves on top of the weekend result as well as the early miss but we came on strong after half an hour mark and really turned the screw before we made the breakthrough. Second half started well got the second goal and took the foot back off the accelerator but credit to Thistle who battled all the way and gave us a decent work out. Now we move to Friday night and the David Allan Shield final against John O’Groats who have already defeated us this season so we will need to be at our best if we want to take home the trophy.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Wick Thistle
United opened sprightly and Mark Makhouli made a fine dash down the left before producing a teasing cross into the near post where Macleod managed to half clear the ball ahead of Cassidy. The second goal came ten minutes into the half and it was the Gray long throw Farquhar combination that did the job the tall striker rising highest to nod home at the near post. United stepped up the pace then for a ten minute spell in which they threatened to hammer home their numerical advantage, Mark Makhouli producing a delightful cross from deep that found Cassidy in the box but the striker never got a hold of his volley properly and Macleod scooped it round the post. Gavin Bremner then let fly from 25 yards but his shot was high and wide minutes later Willie Inrig did likewise after some neat inter play between Farmer and Cassidy. The killer third goal came after 65 mins Willie Inrig received a short freekick on the right hand side of the park drove a few yards towards the angle of the box before unleashing a superb long range effort that looked goal bound but Russel Beattie nipped in to make absolute certain volleying home at the far post much to his team mates disgust. United immediately announced changes with Martin Cook, Gary Mackay and Ross Sutherland replacing the southern duo of Farquhar and Skinner while also giving Luke Cassidy an early rest. United were certainly enjoying plenty of possession and moved the ball about quite nicely but were struggling to create quality openings and Thistle continued to attack when ever presented with an opportunity Traill in particular was making regular forays down the left. With fifteen minutes remaining substitute Cook had a chance to score when a through ball from Makhouli found him on the edge of the box he produced a fine turn and appeared to be caught by the trailing leg of Martin as the striker looked to go past the defender but referee Sinclair was having none of it and waved away the claims. With ten minutes left United had another good opportunity to score again a lung bursting run from Bremner was found by Cook the powerful midfielder’s shot brought out another decent save from Macleod, Bremner retrieved the ball and laid it back to Makhouli who’s powerful shot from 16 yards narrowly missed the top corner. The final chance of the game fell to the visitors when substitute Henderson burst into the box his shot was half stopped by Gray and retreating sweeper Gary Mackay completed the clearance from the 6 yard line.
Full time
Pentland United 3-0 Wick Thistle
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. J Skinner (G Mackay 68) 5. G Bremner (c) 6. W Inrig 7. R Farmer (c) 8. M Makhouli 9. R Beattie 10. T Farquhar (M Cook 68) 11. L Cassidy (R Sutherland 68)
View from the goal
We played well in spells and looked good when we did but for long spells we huffed and puffed without making any real impression on the game. After missing the pen we took a wee while to settle into the game and were maybe feeling a bit sorry for ourselves on top of the weekend result as well as the early miss but we came on strong after half an hour mark and really turned the screw before we made the breakthrough. Second half started well got the second goal and took the foot back off the accelerator but credit to Thistle who battled all the way and gave us a decent work out. Now we move to Friday night and the David Allan Shield final against John O’Groats who have already defeated us this season so we will need to be at our best if we want to take home the trophy.