Post by Michael Gray on May 4, 2006 7:17:43 GMT
Summer football chance would be a fine thing blustery conditions met both teams as the 2006 season finally kicked off in earnest for both clubs. New faces were spread throughout the home side Grant Budge, Scott Mackay Steven and Lee Sutherland made their competitive debuts while there were 4 new faces on the bench as well looking to impress. United won the toss and skipper Gavin Bremner decided to play into the conditions for the first 45 mins. Early chances were at a premium although Niall Murray’s quickly taken corner kick flew across the home goalmouth before United had even set up to defend the set-piece. Neither side were really taking control of proceedings with the game becoming bogged down in midfield while there were the occasional forays into enemy territory they were without any real conviction. One such episode saw Grant Budge give a fleeting glimpse of his ability sailing passed 3 defenders he attempted a deft clip across Swanson however the keeper managed to claw the ball away and Mackay completed the clearance. John Macleod’s reputation has been growing steadily recently and after 20 mins he showed why breaking down the left he managed to get a break of the ball before firing in a low drive that Gray beat away the striker reacted quickest to the loose ball and as Gary Mackay challenged for the ball referee Arrowsmith ruled the tackle illegal and pointed to the spot. The young striker brushed himself down and sent keeper Gray the wrong way to give the visitors the lead. This rattled the home team and the game started to become increasingly stretched as the pace of Macleod and Murray allowed them to get behind the United defence with Workshops regularly playing the ball over the top utilising the elements. Around the half hour mark United forced a series of corners and freekicks but failed to really trouble Swanson. Young Macleod was desperately unlucky not to double his tally ten minutes before the interval cutting in from the left and using the wind to send a delightful shot round the stranded Gray but he could only look on in agony as it struck the post and bounced clear. Budge’s movement upfront however was proving a problem for the Workshop defence and just before the break he again outstripped the defence down the left and cut the ball across leaving an empty net but much to the bemusement of the home support there were no takers.
Half time
Pentland United 0-1 Dounreay Workshops
The obvious swing in elements led to United enjoying a huge territorial advantage in the opening exchanges in the second period skipper Bremner finding the side net after a corner was cleared to him on the edge of the box he dribbled through a couple of tackles before linking with Ross Sutherland but just at the crucial stage he seemed to stumble ruining the chance. Still the Workshops remained resilient trying to free Macleod and Murray at every opportunity with the front pairing showing very good movement never allowing the home defence to settle. Experienced central defender Munro became the first player to enter referee Arrowsmith’s notebook for what can only be described as a cynical challenge on Scott Mackay-Steven after he took off on one of his trademark runs leaving two defenders in his wake. From the freekick Bremner warmed the gloves of Swanson with a vicious drive that the keeper did well to punch away. Bremner made his way to the corner flag to deliver in another quality ball this time finding Gray but his header was blocked away on the line by Richie Mackay and suddenly the doubts started to creep in. On 60 mins manager Gray decided that a change had to be made and Derek Manson made way for David Munro yet another debutant and he made an immediate impact bursting down the left onto a Scott Mackay Steven through ball he drove to the byeline before cutting back to Grant Budge on the penalty spot and he sweetly struck the equaliser back against the balance of Swanson into the keepers right hand corner. Minutes later Workshop’s had an almighty escape when a Bremner corner was only cleared as far as Inrig who returned the ball to Bremner and midfielder swept in a deep hanging ball to the far post that saw a melee incur before keeper Swanson emerged with the ball. The town side then almost regained the lead when Murray broke free for a run in on goal but sweeper Mackay recovered superbly to get a telling tackle in as the striker prepared to shoot. This was to prove a huge turning point as minutes later United took the lead for the first time in the game Lee Sutherland and Munro linked on the right before the substitute swept in a cross to the near post Swanson managed to scoop the ball away but only as far as Ross Sutherland who from 6 yards made no mistake to the delight of the nervous home crowd. The final quarter of an hour was played out without any significant goalmouth action Inrig and Munro both had shots flash across the goal and United held on to open their account for the season.
Full time
Pentland United 2-1 Dounreay Workshops
(Budge 62, R Sutherland 76)
1. M Gray 2. R Sutherland 3. M Baker 4. G Mackay 5. B Gray 6. G Bremner (c) 7. W Inrig 8. L Sutherland 9. G Budge 10. D Manson (D Munro 60) 11. S Mackay Steven
Subs not used
B Mackay, S Gray, B Morris
View from the goal
Not a classic by any stretch of the imagination but there are a number of mitigating factors for just that firstly the weather typical Caithness spring night wind howling around and not very pleasant at all and secondly it was only our second game as a team together. Having said that we did make some basic errors that will need to be eliminated but that will come with time I am sure as the team grows. The ‘Shops provided stubborn resistance and probably will count themselves unlucky not to perhaps steal a point and I am sure if they can keep that squad and add another couple of faces they will do ok with their blend of experience at the back and midfield with the pace upfront. However we are delighted to get 3 points on the board, which are 3 more than we had after the first game of last season. Little mention for the new boys who all acquitted themselves very well and I hope they maintain the standards they have set.
Half time
Pentland United 0-1 Dounreay Workshops
The obvious swing in elements led to United enjoying a huge territorial advantage in the opening exchanges in the second period skipper Bremner finding the side net after a corner was cleared to him on the edge of the box he dribbled through a couple of tackles before linking with Ross Sutherland but just at the crucial stage he seemed to stumble ruining the chance. Still the Workshops remained resilient trying to free Macleod and Murray at every opportunity with the front pairing showing very good movement never allowing the home defence to settle. Experienced central defender Munro became the first player to enter referee Arrowsmith’s notebook for what can only be described as a cynical challenge on Scott Mackay-Steven after he took off on one of his trademark runs leaving two defenders in his wake. From the freekick Bremner warmed the gloves of Swanson with a vicious drive that the keeper did well to punch away. Bremner made his way to the corner flag to deliver in another quality ball this time finding Gray but his header was blocked away on the line by Richie Mackay and suddenly the doubts started to creep in. On 60 mins manager Gray decided that a change had to be made and Derek Manson made way for David Munro yet another debutant and he made an immediate impact bursting down the left onto a Scott Mackay Steven through ball he drove to the byeline before cutting back to Grant Budge on the penalty spot and he sweetly struck the equaliser back against the balance of Swanson into the keepers right hand corner. Minutes later Workshop’s had an almighty escape when a Bremner corner was only cleared as far as Inrig who returned the ball to Bremner and midfielder swept in a deep hanging ball to the far post that saw a melee incur before keeper Swanson emerged with the ball. The town side then almost regained the lead when Murray broke free for a run in on goal but sweeper Mackay recovered superbly to get a telling tackle in as the striker prepared to shoot. This was to prove a huge turning point as minutes later United took the lead for the first time in the game Lee Sutherland and Munro linked on the right before the substitute swept in a cross to the near post Swanson managed to scoop the ball away but only as far as Ross Sutherland who from 6 yards made no mistake to the delight of the nervous home crowd. The final quarter of an hour was played out without any significant goalmouth action Inrig and Munro both had shots flash across the goal and United held on to open their account for the season.
Full time
Pentland United 2-1 Dounreay Workshops
(Budge 62, R Sutherland 76)
1. M Gray 2. R Sutherland 3. M Baker 4. G Mackay 5. B Gray 6. G Bremner (c) 7. W Inrig 8. L Sutherland 9. G Budge 10. D Manson (D Munro 60) 11. S Mackay Steven
Subs not used
B Mackay, S Gray, B Morris
View from the goal
Not a classic by any stretch of the imagination but there are a number of mitigating factors for just that firstly the weather typical Caithness spring night wind howling around and not very pleasant at all and secondly it was only our second game as a team together. Having said that we did make some basic errors that will need to be eliminated but that will come with time I am sure as the team grows. The ‘Shops provided stubborn resistance and probably will count themselves unlucky not to perhaps steal a point and I am sure if they can keep that squad and add another couple of faces they will do ok with their blend of experience at the back and midfield with the pace upfront. However we are delighted to get 3 points on the board, which are 3 more than we had after the first game of last season. Little mention for the new boys who all acquitted themselves very well and I hope they maintain the standards they have set.