Post by Michael Gray on May 10, 2006 7:22:04 GMT
Manager Duncan Gray had another selection headache ahead of the tough match against Groats with star striker Mark Nichol succumbing to a toe injury before kick-off this meant that the Dunnet side went into the match with only 2 replacements, both trialists. The home side in comparison were boosted by the inclusion of all three Ross brothers and Gordie Macdonald. The early exchanges very encouraging both sides getting the ball down and trying to play the game on the carpet. After eight minutes Grant Budge took off on one of his trademark runs cutting in from the right but his shot failed to trouble former Lybster team-mate Lee Sutherland in the home net. The movement of Kyle Ross and Gordie Macdonald ensured that United defensive trio of Mackay, Gray and Ross Sutherland were going to have to be on top of their game throughout if they were going to get anything from the contest and they were constantly tested as the strikeforce regularly went in search of the ball. In fact just prior to the opener Kyle Ross linked well with brother Stewart before wheeling and firing off a shot but unfortunately for him it was straight at keeper Gray. However it was the visitors that made the breakthrough after Cook was upended 40 yards from goal, Bremner swung in a deep freekick that was met by a towering header from Budge giving keeper Sutherland no chance from 8 yards. This spurred United on further and the energy of Cook and Budge were becoming an increasing problem for Groats and their general harrying created the opportunity for the second goal when a Gray freekick was missed by everyone but bounced up awkwardly and Miller handled giving referee Mackenzie no option but to point to the spot giving Brian Gray the opportunity to rifle in his second successive spotkick. The Groats stuck to their guns though with Macgregor and Stewart Ross continually probing around the box and this led to freekick opportunity for Stewart Ross his powerful drive was nearly diverted goalwards by Macdonald but Ross Sutherland stepped in to clear the danger. Moments later a fine sweeping move from the Groats released Craig Ross and his powerful drive was held by Gray at the second attempt as they tried desperately to muster a goal but instead they fell further behind when a clearance from keeper Gray caused confusion in the home defence and skipper Gavin Bremner didn't need a second invitation to nip and finish. With a couple of minutes left in the half things nearly took a further turn for the worse when Lee Sutherland flicked the ball through for Budge to race clear only to be upended by Taylor however the covering Mackillop probably saved him from a red card. Just as you thought United would make the break with a convincing three goal lead Groats roared back into contention with a fine move started by Miller in his own half breaking up an attack he fed Sheppard who found Kyle Ross in space he made a cross field run before feeding his brother Craig breaking in from the right and he slipped a great first time pass into the path of Macdonald who poked the ball passed the out rushing Gray. The blow of losing a goal was further magnified by the loss of Inrig who suffered from a recurrence of his hamstring injury, which has plagued him recently he was replaced by Adam Sutherland.
Half time
Wick Groats 1-3 Pentland United
The second half started with Groats showing a renewed vigour around their play and the United backline working very hard to stem the flow of play towards their goal but although the Wick side were enjoying the lions share of possession United looked the more dangerous on the break with Adam Sutherland Grant Budge causing the experienced Kevin Miller all sorts of problems. Ten minutes into the half it really should have been four when Gray found time and space on the right to pick out Budge at the back post the striker won the challenge with keeper Sutherland but seemed to lose his bearings with the goal at his mercy and Taylor recovered to hook off the line. Groats best chance of the half probably came on the hours mark when once again fine inter play saw Craig Ross volley in a powerful shot from 16 yards that stung the hands of Gray and Mackay completed the clearance. The home side then started to sense the game was running away from although they continued to hold the upper hand in terms of possession their play became increasingly frustrated as United seemed to be resisting almost everything they threw their way and were now started to break out with a greater purpose about their attacks as the threat of the early storm seemed to subside. A fine move down the right saw Manson release Adam Sutherland down the right he raced into the box shrugging off Miller before feeding Budge who fired just wide from a decent position. The centre back responded by leading the charge himself and firing a low shot in from 25 yards that Gray tipped wide but the ball was probably drifting wide anyway. Another positive counter from Baker and Bremner saw them put in the spadework for Budge and with other options available he again elected to shoot but Sutherland held comfortably. After 75 mins another good interchange in the middle of the park saw Lee Sutherland step away from 2 tackles and on only the instep of Miller’s foot prevented him releasing his namesake Adam in on goal. United continued to be positive with the ball especially down the flanks with Baker and Adam Sutherland prominent and with fifteen to go Budge almost put the game out of sight when again he found space in the box to meet Bremner’s cross to the backpost but his header just cleared the bar under pressure from Mackillop. With just under ten minutes left Cook conceded a foul just to the right of the United penalty area giving Stewart Ross the opportunity to rifle in a freekick but Gray managed to clutch in his mid-drift with Craig Ross awaiting any mistakes. This seem to end any lingering hopes Groats had of overturning the deficit and United had survived a testing 45 mins, both sides had chances late on from corners both had the same result as Gray for United and Swanson for the Groats both saw their headed attempts clear the bar and after 5 minutes injury time a valuable three points went west to Dunnet.
Full time
Wick Groats 1-3 Pentland United
(Budge 17, B Gray 24 pen, Bremner 32)
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. G Mackay 4. R Sutherland 5. M Baker 6. G Bremner (c) 7. W Inrig (A Sutherland 42) 8. L Sutherland 9. G Budge 10. M Cook 11. D Manson (B Mackay 79)
View from the goal
A smashing game and even better performance from the troops they all had to really dig in given our problems with availability on the night heightened further by Willie’s injury just hope it isn’t too serious. It was a very competitive game and could have gone either way at times but I think when we got the opportunities early on we took them then defended really well the goal apart. Just delighted with the attitude and application we put in on the night against opponents who if they field that team regularly will do a lot of damage to teams, they played some good stuff at times and kept going right to the end but we matched them all the way. We now have a wee break, which will allow the batteries to re-charge before we face Swifts in Dunnet on Wednesday 17th they have already beaten Acks so we will have to put in a decent show to get a result. It really is a tight league this year and there are going to be no easy matches that is for sure.
Half time
Wick Groats 1-3 Pentland United
The second half started with Groats showing a renewed vigour around their play and the United backline working very hard to stem the flow of play towards their goal but although the Wick side were enjoying the lions share of possession United looked the more dangerous on the break with Adam Sutherland Grant Budge causing the experienced Kevin Miller all sorts of problems. Ten minutes into the half it really should have been four when Gray found time and space on the right to pick out Budge at the back post the striker won the challenge with keeper Sutherland but seemed to lose his bearings with the goal at his mercy and Taylor recovered to hook off the line. Groats best chance of the half probably came on the hours mark when once again fine inter play saw Craig Ross volley in a powerful shot from 16 yards that stung the hands of Gray and Mackay completed the clearance. The home side then started to sense the game was running away from although they continued to hold the upper hand in terms of possession their play became increasingly frustrated as United seemed to be resisting almost everything they threw their way and were now started to break out with a greater purpose about their attacks as the threat of the early storm seemed to subside. A fine move down the right saw Manson release Adam Sutherland down the right he raced into the box shrugging off Miller before feeding Budge who fired just wide from a decent position. The centre back responded by leading the charge himself and firing a low shot in from 25 yards that Gray tipped wide but the ball was probably drifting wide anyway. Another positive counter from Baker and Bremner saw them put in the spadework for Budge and with other options available he again elected to shoot but Sutherland held comfortably. After 75 mins another good interchange in the middle of the park saw Lee Sutherland step away from 2 tackles and on only the instep of Miller’s foot prevented him releasing his namesake Adam in on goal. United continued to be positive with the ball especially down the flanks with Baker and Adam Sutherland prominent and with fifteen to go Budge almost put the game out of sight when again he found space in the box to meet Bremner’s cross to the backpost but his header just cleared the bar under pressure from Mackillop. With just under ten minutes left Cook conceded a foul just to the right of the United penalty area giving Stewart Ross the opportunity to rifle in a freekick but Gray managed to clutch in his mid-drift with Craig Ross awaiting any mistakes. This seem to end any lingering hopes Groats had of overturning the deficit and United had survived a testing 45 mins, both sides had chances late on from corners both had the same result as Gray for United and Swanson for the Groats both saw their headed attempts clear the bar and after 5 minutes injury time a valuable three points went west to Dunnet.
Full time
Wick Groats 1-3 Pentland United
(Budge 17, B Gray 24 pen, Bremner 32)
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. G Mackay 4. R Sutherland 5. M Baker 6. G Bremner (c) 7. W Inrig (A Sutherland 42) 8. L Sutherland 9. G Budge 10. M Cook 11. D Manson (B Mackay 79)
View from the goal
A smashing game and even better performance from the troops they all had to really dig in given our problems with availability on the night heightened further by Willie’s injury just hope it isn’t too serious. It was a very competitive game and could have gone either way at times but I think when we got the opportunities early on we took them then defended really well the goal apart. Just delighted with the attitude and application we put in on the night against opponents who if they field that team regularly will do a lot of damage to teams, they played some good stuff at times and kept going right to the end but we matched them all the way. We now have a wee break, which will allow the batteries to re-charge before we face Swifts in Dunnet on Wednesday 17th they have already beaten Acks so we will have to put in a decent show to get a result. It really is a tight league this year and there are going to be no easy matches that is for sure.