Post by Michael Gray on May 5, 2006 12:16:04 GMT
United arrived in Castletown for their first away fixture of the season changes were a plenty within their ranks as Sam Mackay, Aarron Smith, Tony Farquhar made way for Grant Budge, Gary Mackay and Martyn Cook. The home side buoyed by their big win versus Swifts on Monday were out the blocks early and danger man Chris Sutherland burst into the box but his final touch was a tad to heavy and Gray managed to smother the ball at the second attempt. There was a decent breeze travelling up the park from the road end of the ground making life a little difficult at times to play football but both teams to their credit were keeping the ball on the deck as often as possible. After ten minutes good link up down the right between Budge and Inrig saw Nichol gain a yard of space on the edge of the box and he needed no second invitation to shoot but Sinclair handled the ball very well. Castletown continued to try and break down but their efforts to release Sutherland were becoming increasingly difficult as United started to dominate the chances being created. Far from just be a defensive option Martin Baker was becoming a very effective outlet down the left and carved out a glorious opportunity for the normally deadly Nichol after a Bremner corner was cleared to him on the left hand side of the box he swept a brilliant cross back into the ace marksman but his header was just wide he had all the time in the world to control and finish the chance but wasn't made aware of this. The height of Martyn Cook and throughout the half his presence would cause enormous dificulties for the home defence from both set pieces and Brain Gray throws and on numerous occasions only bad luck saw the ball fail to land at a United foot. After 25 minutes United really should have taken the lead Nichol and Budge linked down the right with the Lybster based man breaking clear down the right before delivering a great ball into the inrushing Cook but the big man just couldn’t get enough purchase on the ball under Shearer’s challenge and Sinclair recovered to gather the ball. The Castletown backline were taking no prisoners and McGill allowed United another opportunity shortly afterwards when he upended Nichol 25 yards from goal the striker brushed himself down to take the set-piece, which he bent round the ball but unfortunately straight into the hands off Sinclair. Just as it seemed Castletown would get through to the break without conceding United struck, skipper Gavin Bremner drove in a low corner to the near post that Grant Budge and helped goalwards and Greg Macleod in attempting to clear the ball only succeeded in knocking the ball into his own net.
Half time
Castletown 0-1 Pentland United
The home side started the second period with a renewed vigour and equalised within 5 minutes and it was a sweet moment for Macleod who met Sutherland’s corner with the United a sixes and sevens, Gray blocked the initial effort but as the keeper lay prone on the ground the midfielder recovered to put the ball into the net for the second occasion on the night but this time for him it was at the right end. This stung the visitors after enjoying a huge advantage in the first half and to only have one goal to show for their efforts and then be pegged back so quickly. However on the hour mark the lead was restored in an early contender for goal of the season. Bremner released Nichol the striker who weaved his way along the 18 yard box but was thwarted by McGill the ball fell to Lee Sutherland 25 yards from goal and the midfielder wasted no time in side footing the ball into the top corner for his first goal for the club and what a way to open your account. This was an obvious body blow for the home side who had only been level for a matter of minutes and within another five minutes it got worse for them when Baker made a dart down the left hand side of the box drawing a challenge from Shearer that sent him tumbling and referee Makhouli had no hesitation in pointing to the spot Brian Gray stepped and rocketed the ball passed Sinclair to give United a two goal cushion. The visitors then dropped the pace they were playing at allowing the homeside a foothold back into the match although it was evenly balanced Castletown were struggling to create the good quality chance to bring them back into the match although Florence did he best when he took off on a mazy run before unleashing a powerful shot that went straight at Gray. Probably there best chance at this point was a header from McGhee at the far post that failed to find the target. On 70 mins Gavin Bremner burst a couple of tackles on half way and weaved his way to the edge of the box. Duncan Gray made his change straight after withdrawing the tired Martyn Cook, who put in a decent shift for his first outing of the season harrying the defence and never giving them a minutes peace and replacing him with Davie Munro who went to the right hand side of midfield allowing Grant Budge to go upfront. Budge was the next to have a go when he took off on one of his trademark runs before driving in a low shot, which Sinclair again handled expertly. With quarter of an hour left in the game Casteltown did have a great chance when a Sutherland pass managed to slip through the defence finding Nicholson but he just failed to find the target with a low shot. United were then forced to withdraw Inrig more as precautionary measure and allow Ross Sutherland to return to the fray after he missed the Monday night game. Minutes later Nicholson made amends for his earlier miss but it was a nightmare for keeper Gray who left his box and attempted to head clear the ball but only succeeded in finding the little striker and he took his time and beat the retreating Skinner to find the net and give Castletown renewed hope with just under ten minutes left. However the home team couldn’t quite muster the grandstand finish and it was left to Nichol to have the last say, a Ross Sutherland pass was cleverly left by Munro leaving the striker a clear sight of goal and he found the bottom corner with precision accuracy.
Full time
Castletown 2-4 Pentland United
(Macleod O.G 45, L Sutherland 56, B Gray 61 pen, Nichol 89)
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. G Mackay 4. J Skinner 5. M Baker 6. G Bremner (c) 7. W Inrig (R Sutherland 78) 8. L Sutherland 9. M Nichol 10. M Cook (D Munro 72) 11. G Budge
Subs not used
D Manson
View from the goal
A great night’s work there is no doubt Monday night’s exertions did take a lot out of the troops but we battled really well against an impressive Castletown side going forward. We created a lot of good opportunities in the first half but never allowed our heads to go down as they slipped by and kept battling and in the end we got our rewards. There is no doubt Castletown are a developing side with some very good players mixed with a few more experienced ones and they gave us a good battle but we came through in the end. Highlight of the night has to be Lee’s goal, which was fit to win any game and came just at the right time but it was our workrate as much as anything which pleased everyone typified by Mark Nichol making a tackle and starting an attack from the right back area, I know bizarre. Hands up the second goal was a bombscare and just goes to show I should never leave my box especially when trying to head it but the boys stood firm and in the end it wasn’t significant, just a well for me.
Half time
Castletown 0-1 Pentland United
The home side started the second period with a renewed vigour and equalised within 5 minutes and it was a sweet moment for Macleod who met Sutherland’s corner with the United a sixes and sevens, Gray blocked the initial effort but as the keeper lay prone on the ground the midfielder recovered to put the ball into the net for the second occasion on the night but this time for him it was at the right end. This stung the visitors after enjoying a huge advantage in the first half and to only have one goal to show for their efforts and then be pegged back so quickly. However on the hour mark the lead was restored in an early contender for goal of the season. Bremner released Nichol the striker who weaved his way along the 18 yard box but was thwarted by McGill the ball fell to Lee Sutherland 25 yards from goal and the midfielder wasted no time in side footing the ball into the top corner for his first goal for the club and what a way to open your account. This was an obvious body blow for the home side who had only been level for a matter of minutes and within another five minutes it got worse for them when Baker made a dart down the left hand side of the box drawing a challenge from Shearer that sent him tumbling and referee Makhouli had no hesitation in pointing to the spot Brian Gray stepped and rocketed the ball passed Sinclair to give United a two goal cushion. The visitors then dropped the pace they were playing at allowing the homeside a foothold back into the match although it was evenly balanced Castletown were struggling to create the good quality chance to bring them back into the match although Florence did he best when he took off on a mazy run before unleashing a powerful shot that went straight at Gray. Probably there best chance at this point was a header from McGhee at the far post that failed to find the target. On 70 mins Gavin Bremner burst a couple of tackles on half way and weaved his way to the edge of the box. Duncan Gray made his change straight after withdrawing the tired Martyn Cook, who put in a decent shift for his first outing of the season harrying the defence and never giving them a minutes peace and replacing him with Davie Munro who went to the right hand side of midfield allowing Grant Budge to go upfront. Budge was the next to have a go when he took off on one of his trademark runs before driving in a low shot, which Sinclair again handled expertly. With quarter of an hour left in the game Casteltown did have a great chance when a Sutherland pass managed to slip through the defence finding Nicholson but he just failed to find the target with a low shot. United were then forced to withdraw Inrig more as precautionary measure and allow Ross Sutherland to return to the fray after he missed the Monday night game. Minutes later Nicholson made amends for his earlier miss but it was a nightmare for keeper Gray who left his box and attempted to head clear the ball but only succeeded in finding the little striker and he took his time and beat the retreating Skinner to find the net and give Castletown renewed hope with just under ten minutes left. However the home team couldn’t quite muster the grandstand finish and it was left to Nichol to have the last say, a Ross Sutherland pass was cleverly left by Munro leaving the striker a clear sight of goal and he found the bottom corner with precision accuracy.
Full time
Castletown 2-4 Pentland United
(Macleod O.G 45, L Sutherland 56, B Gray 61 pen, Nichol 89)
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. G Mackay 4. J Skinner 5. M Baker 6. G Bremner (c) 7. W Inrig (R Sutherland 78) 8. L Sutherland 9. M Nichol 10. M Cook (D Munro 72) 11. G Budge
Subs not used
D Manson
View from the goal
A great night’s work there is no doubt Monday night’s exertions did take a lot out of the troops but we battled really well against an impressive Castletown side going forward. We created a lot of good opportunities in the first half but never allowed our heads to go down as they slipped by and kept battling and in the end we got our rewards. There is no doubt Castletown are a developing side with some very good players mixed with a few more experienced ones and they gave us a good battle but we came through in the end. Highlight of the night has to be Lee’s goal, which was fit to win any game and came just at the right time but it was our workrate as much as anything which pleased everyone typified by Mark Nichol making a tackle and starting an attack from the right back area, I know bizarre. Hands up the second goal was a bombscare and just goes to show I should never leave my box especially when trying to head it but the boys stood firm and in the end it wasn’t significant, just a well for me.