Post by Brian Mackay on Jun 9, 2003 16:40:16 GMT
Highland Amateur Cup Third Round - Saturday 7th of June 2003
Smithton Highnet 1 V Pentland United 1 - By Michael Gray
United travelled to Inverness for their first away trip of the competition to face 1st Division side Smithton in glorious Culloden sunshine, United were minus J Skinner (wedding), R Beattie (hamstring), Inrig (hamstring), R Sutherland (calf) and J Sutherland (foot) for this tough cup-tie.
Playing into a strong breeze United started cagily on a tight pitch which was to cause them problems throughout the game, Cassidy was the first to try his luck after beating his man he could only drive into the side net with a left foot drive. Mackenzie was showing every bit of his 26 years and the birthday boy had a great opportunity to open the scoring after 15 mins clean in the goalkeeper stood up and the wideman could only shoot against his legs. From the resultant corner Boyd rose at the back post but at full stretch couldn't direct the ball back across the goal and the chance was gone.
United were far from having it all their own way in and Smithton went close from a freekick floated to the back post but the header never found the target and United breathed a sigh of relief. Mackenzie then found Morris with a terrific far post cross but the striker could only head into the stanchion and another chance went a begging.
United did get the ball into the net on the half hour mark, Mackenzie's chip into the centre was bundled home by Mackay however the referee correctly disallowed the goal for an infringement on the goalkeeper.
Gray then held onto a snapshot from the edge of the box as the United defence were exposed to a counter attack after Mackenzie was dispossessed on the half-way line. Farquhar then had a half chance from a Mackay cross but he couldn't direct his diving header on target under pressure. That was the final piece of action in a disappointing first half.
Half time 0-0
United tried to raise the tempo in the opening exchanges of the second half Cassidy with a superb volley on the turn crashing against the post and unfortunately away to safety. Mackay then set-off on a mazy run across the park but he was pushed wide onto his left foot and the shot wasn't as powerful as he would have liked and the goalkeeper gathered at the second attempt.
United made a tactical change moving Farquhar up front and Cassidy back to the right midfield area to try and freshen up things and Farquhar had the next opportunity driving wide from the edge of the box. Mackenzie then had a half chance to open the scoring the ball bounced up to him as he made his way into the box but he could only manage to scoop the ball into the goalkeeper's hands. Farquhar was then forced to retire with a reoccurrence of a back injury and was replaced by Manson on the hour mark. United were nearly made to pay for their lacklustre display when Mackenzie was robbed of the ball on the edge of the box and Gray and to tip away the shot and recover the loose ball.
Boyd then had a chance from a Mackay corner the centre back was all alone at the far post but as he controlled the ball it ran away from him a and another opportunity fell away. However the break through was finally made 12 minutes from time good link up play between Mackay and Mackenzie saw the ball swung to the far post where Morris rose to bullet the ball into the net.
However just when United should have been closing the game out for a narrow victory it fell away from them chasing a second goal Mackay tried to drive the ball in and home side broke three against three and when the ball came into the area they reacted first to flick the ball away from the diving Gray and equalise with 3 mins to go.
The remainder of the game drifted away as neither team attacked with any real conviction.
A disappointing display from United the chances were there to win the game but the finishing was of a poor standard and the home keeper had very little saves to make. The final ball was also not good enough but this was compounded by some bizarre refereeing decisions and a tight park which certainly restricted the continuity of their game. However the bottom line is they are still in the competition and have a chance to rectify the situation in Dunnet on Saturday.
M Gray, B Gray, H Boyd, M Baker, R Farmer, G Bremner, T Farquhar (D Manson 60),
A Mackay, L Cassidy, K Morris, N Mackenzie. Subs not used - J Mackay and G Elder
Smithton Highnet 1 V Pentland United 1 - By Michael Gray
United travelled to Inverness for their first away trip of the competition to face 1st Division side Smithton in glorious Culloden sunshine, United were minus J Skinner (wedding), R Beattie (hamstring), Inrig (hamstring), R Sutherland (calf) and J Sutherland (foot) for this tough cup-tie.
Playing into a strong breeze United started cagily on a tight pitch which was to cause them problems throughout the game, Cassidy was the first to try his luck after beating his man he could only drive into the side net with a left foot drive. Mackenzie was showing every bit of his 26 years and the birthday boy had a great opportunity to open the scoring after 15 mins clean in the goalkeeper stood up and the wideman could only shoot against his legs. From the resultant corner Boyd rose at the back post but at full stretch couldn't direct the ball back across the goal and the chance was gone.
United were far from having it all their own way in and Smithton went close from a freekick floated to the back post but the header never found the target and United breathed a sigh of relief. Mackenzie then found Morris with a terrific far post cross but the striker could only head into the stanchion and another chance went a begging.
United did get the ball into the net on the half hour mark, Mackenzie's chip into the centre was bundled home by Mackay however the referee correctly disallowed the goal for an infringement on the goalkeeper.
Gray then held onto a snapshot from the edge of the box as the United defence were exposed to a counter attack after Mackenzie was dispossessed on the half-way line. Farquhar then had a half chance from a Mackay cross but he couldn't direct his diving header on target under pressure. That was the final piece of action in a disappointing first half.
Half time 0-0
United tried to raise the tempo in the opening exchanges of the second half Cassidy with a superb volley on the turn crashing against the post and unfortunately away to safety. Mackay then set-off on a mazy run across the park but he was pushed wide onto his left foot and the shot wasn't as powerful as he would have liked and the goalkeeper gathered at the second attempt.
United made a tactical change moving Farquhar up front and Cassidy back to the right midfield area to try and freshen up things and Farquhar had the next opportunity driving wide from the edge of the box. Mackenzie then had a half chance to open the scoring the ball bounced up to him as he made his way into the box but he could only manage to scoop the ball into the goalkeeper's hands. Farquhar was then forced to retire with a reoccurrence of a back injury and was replaced by Manson on the hour mark. United were nearly made to pay for their lacklustre display when Mackenzie was robbed of the ball on the edge of the box and Gray and to tip away the shot and recover the loose ball.
Boyd then had a chance from a Mackay corner the centre back was all alone at the far post but as he controlled the ball it ran away from him a and another opportunity fell away. However the break through was finally made 12 minutes from time good link up play between Mackay and Mackenzie saw the ball swung to the far post where Morris rose to bullet the ball into the net.
However just when United should have been closing the game out for a narrow victory it fell away from them chasing a second goal Mackay tried to drive the ball in and home side broke three against three and when the ball came into the area they reacted first to flick the ball away from the diving Gray and equalise with 3 mins to go.
The remainder of the game drifted away as neither team attacked with any real conviction.
A disappointing display from United the chances were there to win the game but the finishing was of a poor standard and the home keeper had very little saves to make. The final ball was also not good enough but this was compounded by some bizarre refereeing decisions and a tight park which certainly restricted the continuity of their game. However the bottom line is they are still in the competition and have a chance to rectify the situation in Dunnet on Saturday.
M Gray, B Gray, H Boyd, M Baker, R Farmer, G Bremner, T Farquhar (D Manson 60),
A Mackay, L Cassidy, K Morris, N Mackenzie. Subs not used - J Mackay and G Elder