Post by Brian Mackay on Jul 13, 2003 12:21:41 GMT
Francis Street Club 0 V Pentland United 4 - By Michael Gray 
A hot clammy night in Wick saw United make the trip east for this E Macintosh quarter final versus the FSC, minus Andy Mackay, Graeme Elder, Luke Cassidy, Jocky Sutherland and Tony Farquhar United listed Ewen "Large Edward" Boyd in their squad of 14.
Goal scoring opportunities were at a premium in the first quarter of an hour although United did have the lions share of possession and a definite territorial advantage. Ross Sutherland missed a snip after 18 mins from a Bremner corner when he rose unchallenged but failed to hit the target from 8 yards with a downward header. Beattie was involved in the next opportunity when his corner was cleared back to him and he then swung in an excellent far post cross and Morris laid the ball back to Bremner but he got too far underneath the ball to trouble Harper as the ball flew over. Baker then had a chance to create when Farmer played him in down the right channel but his low centre was to close to Harper at the near post. The homeside were next to create Shephard with the opportunity as he shot low at Gray's near post who flicked the ball round the post for a corner.
After 25 mins United made the breakthrough and what a goal Mackenzie cut in from the left 25 yards out and rocketed a right foot shot into the top corner with Harper helpless, just what the visitors needed to settle any nerves.
Gray then had opportunity from another fine Bremner corner and similarly to Sutherland failed to make the keeper work heading wide of the goal. Beattie was looking lively up front he outstripped the defence down the left cut along the bye line however his cross eluded all the inrushing attackers and the chance went a begging. Mackenzie almost scored a carbon copy after 35 mins again cutting and it took a fine fingertip save from Harper to deny him but the delay for the second goal was not long from the resultant corner Sutherland made amends for his earlier miss controlling the ball on his chest and firing the ball into the top corner with the home defence static.
Beattie had another chance cutting in from the left he screwed his shot wide of the left hand post form around 16 yards. FSC carved out the best chance of the latter stages of the half Harper breaking a couple of tackles on the edge of the box although Sutherland recovered to half tackle him and keeper Gray scrambled the ball away.
Half-time 2-0 to PUFC
FSC came out the blocks sharpest in the second half and tried to pin United back mainly through the industry of Harper in midfield and the introduction of Lyall. Mackenzie was trying his best to pin back the right hand side he had another early chance that was deflected away to safety as he tried to cut into the area.
After 55 mins United welcomed back Inrig to the fray after nearly three weeks on the side lines through injury he replaced H Boyd and he had a marvellous opportunity after Morris had released Mackenzie down the right he cut the ball back to the edge but his first time shot just failed to hit the target from 18 yards. The substitution also meant a reorganisation in defence with skipper Farmer moving to sweeper and Skinner assuming a marking role.
Cormack then had a half chance in the box after the ball was needlessly given away in midfield he got his shot on target but Gray held on and quickly cleared up field allowing Morris a one on one situation but his first touch saw the ball drift away.
Beattie then scored a superb goal turning his man his run through the centre left three players in his wake before drifting a low shot into the bottom corner leaving Harper no chance. The same player then beat a couple down the left and cut back for Mackenzie but his shot was blocked away by Thacker as the goal opened up.
Inrig then missed an absolute sitter Beattie twisted and turned on the bye line and picked him out 6 yards out and with goal gaping he slid the ball past the post. United then replaced Beattie more a precautionary measure considering it was his first full game back and another tough match on Saturday approaching and Manson replaced him. Gray then had another glorious opportunity from a Bremner flag kick again all alone he screwed his header across goal.
FSC then created another chance for Shephard out of nothing when Lyall chased a long ball to the bye line just keeping the ball in play but when Gray retreating came to clear he slipped at the vital moment allowing Lyall to play in Shephard but his shot was just too high.
Disaster then struck for United when Inrig pulled up with a re-occurrence of his hamstring injury and E Boyd replaced him with 15 mins to play and he went into an attacking role moving Manson to wide and Baker to central midfield. The big man immediately made his physical presence felt knocking Thacker out the way he cleared the way for Mackenzie who clipped a lovely near post cross that Boyd only just failed to nick away from Harper.
Only minutes later Morris played him in down the right channel but his shot was too high on the angle. The final goal then came Bremner feeding into Baker who delightfully flicked the ball into Morris's path the striker walked round a challenge before finishing low past the despairing Harper.
Even then setpieces were still presenting United with their greatest opportunities and Skinner just failed to open his season's account when his header drifted away past the far post under pressure. Bremner had the final real chance of the game a long Gray clearance left Morris again one on one however he was held up but still managed to tee up Bremner but his vicious shot was charged down.
A lethargic performance at times from United a case of picking wrong options and not taking their chances, good to see Beattie back in a PU shirt and a few runs showed just what he is capable of when on his game. Gray and Skinner were United's best on the night soaking up any attacks thrown at them and also managing to find team mates when under pressure. Bremner also showed up well always a willing runner and outlet when the team was under the cosh.
FSC again showed up well against United, Harper in midfield was excellent and Lyall also turned in a good second half showing certainly no lack of spirit although I am sure league survival is the priority.
PUFC Line-up - M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, H Boyd
(Inrig 55) (E Boyd 75), M Baker, R Sutherland,
G Bremner, R Farmer, N Mackenzie, K Morris, R Beattie (Manson 68)
;D
A hot clammy night in Wick saw United make the trip east for this E Macintosh quarter final versus the FSC, minus Andy Mackay, Graeme Elder, Luke Cassidy, Jocky Sutherland and Tony Farquhar United listed Ewen "Large Edward" Boyd in their squad of 14.
Goal scoring opportunities were at a premium in the first quarter of an hour although United did have the lions share of possession and a definite territorial advantage. Ross Sutherland missed a snip after 18 mins from a Bremner corner when he rose unchallenged but failed to hit the target from 8 yards with a downward header. Beattie was involved in the next opportunity when his corner was cleared back to him and he then swung in an excellent far post cross and Morris laid the ball back to Bremner but he got too far underneath the ball to trouble Harper as the ball flew over. Baker then had a chance to create when Farmer played him in down the right channel but his low centre was to close to Harper at the near post. The homeside were next to create Shephard with the opportunity as he shot low at Gray's near post who flicked the ball round the post for a corner.
After 25 mins United made the breakthrough and what a goal Mackenzie cut in from the left 25 yards out and rocketed a right foot shot into the top corner with Harper helpless, just what the visitors needed to settle any nerves.
Gray then had opportunity from another fine Bremner corner and similarly to Sutherland failed to make the keeper work heading wide of the goal. Beattie was looking lively up front he outstripped the defence down the left cut along the bye line however his cross eluded all the inrushing attackers and the chance went a begging. Mackenzie almost scored a carbon copy after 35 mins again cutting and it took a fine fingertip save from Harper to deny him but the delay for the second goal was not long from the resultant corner Sutherland made amends for his earlier miss controlling the ball on his chest and firing the ball into the top corner with the home defence static.
Beattie had another chance cutting in from the left he screwed his shot wide of the left hand post form around 16 yards. FSC carved out the best chance of the latter stages of the half Harper breaking a couple of tackles on the edge of the box although Sutherland recovered to half tackle him and keeper Gray scrambled the ball away.
Half-time 2-0 to PUFC
FSC came out the blocks sharpest in the second half and tried to pin United back mainly through the industry of Harper in midfield and the introduction of Lyall. Mackenzie was trying his best to pin back the right hand side he had another early chance that was deflected away to safety as he tried to cut into the area.
After 55 mins United welcomed back Inrig to the fray after nearly three weeks on the side lines through injury he replaced H Boyd and he had a marvellous opportunity after Morris had released Mackenzie down the right he cut the ball back to the edge but his first time shot just failed to hit the target from 18 yards. The substitution also meant a reorganisation in defence with skipper Farmer moving to sweeper and Skinner assuming a marking role.
Cormack then had a half chance in the box after the ball was needlessly given away in midfield he got his shot on target but Gray held on and quickly cleared up field allowing Morris a one on one situation but his first touch saw the ball drift away.
Beattie then scored a superb goal turning his man his run through the centre left three players in his wake before drifting a low shot into the bottom corner leaving Harper no chance. The same player then beat a couple down the left and cut back for Mackenzie but his shot was blocked away by Thacker as the goal opened up.
Inrig then missed an absolute sitter Beattie twisted and turned on the bye line and picked him out 6 yards out and with goal gaping he slid the ball past the post. United then replaced Beattie more a precautionary measure considering it was his first full game back and another tough match on Saturday approaching and Manson replaced him. Gray then had another glorious opportunity from a Bremner flag kick again all alone he screwed his header across goal.
FSC then created another chance for Shephard out of nothing when Lyall chased a long ball to the bye line just keeping the ball in play but when Gray retreating came to clear he slipped at the vital moment allowing Lyall to play in Shephard but his shot was just too high.
Disaster then struck for United when Inrig pulled up with a re-occurrence of his hamstring injury and E Boyd replaced him with 15 mins to play and he went into an attacking role moving Manson to wide and Baker to central midfield. The big man immediately made his physical presence felt knocking Thacker out the way he cleared the way for Mackenzie who clipped a lovely near post cross that Boyd only just failed to nick away from Harper.
Only minutes later Morris played him in down the right channel but his shot was too high on the angle. The final goal then came Bremner feeding into Baker who delightfully flicked the ball into Morris's path the striker walked round a challenge before finishing low past the despairing Harper.
Even then setpieces were still presenting United with their greatest opportunities and Skinner just failed to open his season's account when his header drifted away past the far post under pressure. Bremner had the final real chance of the game a long Gray clearance left Morris again one on one however he was held up but still managed to tee up Bremner but his vicious shot was charged down.
A lethargic performance at times from United a case of picking wrong options and not taking their chances, good to see Beattie back in a PU shirt and a few runs showed just what he is capable of when on his game. Gray and Skinner were United's best on the night soaking up any attacks thrown at them and also managing to find team mates when under pressure. Bremner also showed up well always a willing runner and outlet when the team was under the cosh.
FSC again showed up well against United, Harper in midfield was excellent and Lyall also turned in a good second half showing certainly no lack of spirit although I am sure league survival is the priority.
PUFC Line-up - M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, H Boyd
(Inrig 55) (E Boyd 75), M Baker, R Sutherland,
G Bremner, R Farmer, N Mackenzie, K Morris, R Beattie (Manson 68)
;D