Post by Michael Gray on Aug 4, 2005 7:51:14 GMT
A beautiful summers night welcomed a huge crowd to Dunnet for the final league encounter of the 2005 league season. United made several changes to the side that sneaked passed Rovers the previous Wednesday Tony Farquhar, John Skinner and Russel Beattie returned at the expense of Gary Mackay and Mark Makhouli who both dropped to the bench and of course the suspended Martin Baker. Within five minutes United had a great chance to go ahead when a Brian Gray long throw was missed by everyone at the near post and Mark Nichol crashed a shot off the post the ball then appeared to strike Bain on the hand resulting in huge claims for a penalty but referee Arrowsmith was having none of it. The visitors response was positive Martin Murray who was to be a thorn in the home defence’s side all evening found space down the right before sweeping in a dangerous inswinging cross that Bobby Thorburn did very well to clear under pressure at the expense of a corner. Murray was again causing problems only minutes later when he again found space down the right and this time his cross was cut out by Luke Cassidy at the far post under pressure from MacDougall he coolly cleared the ball to safety. After 25 minutes the deadlock was broken when Tony Farquhar latched on to a loose ball in the box wheeling he sent a powerful volley into the corner of the net via the outstretched fingertips of Brian Mackay. Minutes later time seemed to standstill as Gavin Bremner sent in a deep freekick from the left that Mark Nichol met and sent back across goal amid claims from the Acks defence the ball had crossed the line it appeared all Ross Sutherland had to do was knock the ball into the unguarded net but the chance never materialised. The hurly burly nature of the game meant that the game was being littered with fouls, Russel Beattie was the first to enter the book after scything down Martin Bain on the half hour mark, MacDougall took the kick and found Murray Coghill at the back post he bulleted a header back across goal but Alan Murray’s effort went wide. The hoists then created the move of the half when slick passing found Nichol on half way and he volleyed a superb through ball for the pacey Cassidy who raced clear to the angle of the box before firing in a decent shot that flew into the side netting. The movement of the Acks frontline continued to make life uncomfortable for the home defence although good goal scoring chances were at a premium a nice reverse pass from MacDougall almost released Alan Murray but his touch was just to heavy and allowed keeper Gray to gather. The final action of note saw Murray Coghill steal a march in at the back post to meet a MacDougall corner but his downward header went wide.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Acks
United decided that rather than risk Russel Beattie for the second half after the wideman had been caught up in a few niggles down the left they would replace him with Mark Makhouli. The visitors started the second period very brightly and pressurised the home defence from the off, Martin Murray produced a fine run down the left slipping past Bobby Thorburn before unleashing a powerful drive from 18 yards but it again agonisingly the ball slipped wide. The equaliser came after 55 mins and it started with a Brian Gray long throw into the Acks penalty area, which was cleared up to half way and Alan Murray managed to nip in ahead of Ross Sutherland before feeding Martin Murray who drew the defence before slipping a neat ball into Gary Coghill who took a touch before smashing a powerful drive into the top corner. Just after the hour mark the visitors were dealt a blow when sweeper Shaun Moar went down under no challenge with a serious looking knee injury, Michael Bremner was his replacement. The game was becoming stretched now as United looked to find a way back into the match but in doing so gaps started to appear at the back Alan Murray nearly made them pay with just over 20 mins remaining when he managed to get a break of the ball 16 yards out but his shot lacked power and Gray gathered comfortably. Tony Farquhar was having a fine game upfront for United and his aerial prowess was causing Acks no end of trouble he again managed to out leap the defence and send a delightful header into the area for Nichol but agonisingly for his strike partner the ball was out of reach and Mackay gathered. With quarter of an hour remaining Acks struck the woodwork when a deft back header from Alan Murray came off the outside of the post for a goal kick although keeper Gray appeared to have the situation covered. Controversy reined with ten minutes remaining when Luke Cassidy set off on a sensational run leaving 4 defenders trailing in his wake he managed to get to the edge of the Acks area only for referee Arrowsmith to stop the game for treatment to G Coghill who had gone down with cramp. As the game entered the dying minutes United tried to lay siege to the Acks goal but failed to show the necessary composure a Gavin Bremner corner caused panic but the ball failed to sit up for a United player and in the end high feet was given against Tony Farquhar. The tall striker almost snatched it at the death when he met another Brian Gray long throw but Brian Mackay produced a fine save to deny the Dunnet men.
Full time
Pentland United 1-1 Acks
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. B Thorburn (R Farmer 78) 4. J Skinner 5. G Bremner (c) 6. W Inrig (M Cook 82) 7. R Sutherland 8. R Beattie (M Makhouli 45) 9. M Nichol 10. T Farquhar 11. L Cassidy
Subs not used
G Mackay
View from the goal
Such disappointment but to be honest the Acks were the better team on the night we struggled like we have all season really to find any rhythm to our play. They showed the greater energy and urgency on the night and we can have no complaints at all. Feel sorry for the great support that once again gave us superb encouragement but it is a pity we couldn’t replicate that on the park but such is life. We will live to fight another year and although the league is the Holy Grail we still have two trophies in the cabinet not too bad really. Congratulations to the Acks they are worthy winners this year and deserve the trophy no doubt about that but we will be back next year fighting harder than ever.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Acks
United decided that rather than risk Russel Beattie for the second half after the wideman had been caught up in a few niggles down the left they would replace him with Mark Makhouli. The visitors started the second period very brightly and pressurised the home defence from the off, Martin Murray produced a fine run down the left slipping past Bobby Thorburn before unleashing a powerful drive from 18 yards but it again agonisingly the ball slipped wide. The equaliser came after 55 mins and it started with a Brian Gray long throw into the Acks penalty area, which was cleared up to half way and Alan Murray managed to nip in ahead of Ross Sutherland before feeding Martin Murray who drew the defence before slipping a neat ball into Gary Coghill who took a touch before smashing a powerful drive into the top corner. Just after the hour mark the visitors were dealt a blow when sweeper Shaun Moar went down under no challenge with a serious looking knee injury, Michael Bremner was his replacement. The game was becoming stretched now as United looked to find a way back into the match but in doing so gaps started to appear at the back Alan Murray nearly made them pay with just over 20 mins remaining when he managed to get a break of the ball 16 yards out but his shot lacked power and Gray gathered comfortably. Tony Farquhar was having a fine game upfront for United and his aerial prowess was causing Acks no end of trouble he again managed to out leap the defence and send a delightful header into the area for Nichol but agonisingly for his strike partner the ball was out of reach and Mackay gathered. With quarter of an hour remaining Acks struck the woodwork when a deft back header from Alan Murray came off the outside of the post for a goal kick although keeper Gray appeared to have the situation covered. Controversy reined with ten minutes remaining when Luke Cassidy set off on a sensational run leaving 4 defenders trailing in his wake he managed to get to the edge of the Acks area only for referee Arrowsmith to stop the game for treatment to G Coghill who had gone down with cramp. As the game entered the dying minutes United tried to lay siege to the Acks goal but failed to show the necessary composure a Gavin Bremner corner caused panic but the ball failed to sit up for a United player and in the end high feet was given against Tony Farquhar. The tall striker almost snatched it at the death when he met another Brian Gray long throw but Brian Mackay produced a fine save to deny the Dunnet men.
Full time
Pentland United 1-1 Acks
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. B Thorburn (R Farmer 78) 4. J Skinner 5. G Bremner (c) 6. W Inrig (M Cook 82) 7. R Sutherland 8. R Beattie (M Makhouli 45) 9. M Nichol 10. T Farquhar 11. L Cassidy
Subs not used
G Mackay
View from the goal
Such disappointment but to be honest the Acks were the better team on the night we struggled like we have all season really to find any rhythm to our play. They showed the greater energy and urgency on the night and we can have no complaints at all. Feel sorry for the great support that once again gave us superb encouragement but it is a pity we couldn’t replicate that on the park but such is life. We will live to fight another year and although the league is the Holy Grail we still have two trophies in the cabinet not too bad really. Congratulations to the Acks they are worthy winners this year and deserve the trophy no doubt about that but we will be back next year fighting harder than ever.