Post by Michael Gray on May 29, 2006 13:07:02 GMT
Once again United were decidedly shorthanded for the trip through to Wick for the meeting with Rovers from the HA Cup side Tony Farquhar, Paul McCallum, Ross Sutherland, Ryan Farmer and Calum Welsh dropped out while Adam Sutherland, Bobby Thorburn, Davie Munro and Steven Campbell joined the squad. From the very off it was going to be a tough assignment but the Dunnet men very nearly made a dream start when Bremner’s freekick found Brian Gray lurking at the far post the centre half drilled the ball across goal, which More cut out but couldn’t hold Bell reacted first but rattled the post allowing More to recover and gather. With just under ten minutes gone United created another very good opportunity Scott Mackay-Steven on his return to the first team raced through onto a Cook through ball and clipped the ball passed the advancing More but the ball slipped agonisingly wide however the game was held up as the Rovers keeper had sustained a serious injury when he went over his ankle attempting to close down the striker and had to leave the field of play with Coghill taking his place in goal. In their first real attack Rovers took the lead Reid drove to the byeline before cutting the ball back amid claims from the United camp the ball had already crossed the line for the inrushing Sinclair to volley pased the helpless Gray. This was a real kick in the teeth to the Dunnet men who had started so brightly and they struggled to come to terms with the situation for the next 10-15 minutes the only real effort of note was a Bremner shot form the edge of the box, which Coghill held comfortably. The Wick side on the other had were full of life Reid and Lyall producing good movement in attack giving the United trio of Gray, Mackay and Thorburn a difficult time whenever the opportunity arose. Trialist Campbell a regular for Caithness rugby first XV was producing a strong display in the middle of the park his running with the ball and the ground covered ensured the midfield area was eagerly contested. However unfortunately chances were at a premium with neither side really threatening the goal.
Half time
Wick Rovers 1-0 Pentland United
United started the second period the stronger looking to try and gain a foothold in the game after an unconvincing display in the first period. Manager Duncan Gray made a change at the interval removing Bell and replacing him with Lee Sutherland who had been unable to make kick-off the re-organisation saw Cook take a place upfront and Lee assume his midfield mantle. The Canisbay side huffed and puffed but really struggle to make an inroad as Alan Sinclair marshalled his backline very well. However just after the hour mark United grabbed a lifeline a Bremner freekick found Brian Gray on the edge of the box he took a touch before unleashing a powerful drive into the bottom corner passed the startled Coghill to level the match just when it seemed United had a platform to build on they conceded again a high ball into the box caused panic as United looked to clear the ball it fell to Salim who burst into the box before going down under the challenge of Campbell it looked soft but referee Duncan ruled in favour of the attacker and C Sinclair made an immaculate job to double his own personal tally as well as his sides. United tried to respond again Munro wriggled free of his marker before firing in a long range volley but Coghill was a match for the shot. The second equaliser came with just under 20 mins left to play Brian lined up to take a long throw but linked well with Munro instead before sending in a looping cross, which Coghill failed to deal with and as it landed in at the far post. But far from knock the stuffing out of the Wick side they fired on Reid broke free form a suspiciously offside position but fired tamely into keeper Gray’s hands but United failed to heed the warning as with less than 10 to go the same player made another break and took his time before poking the ball passed Gray for what proved to be the winner. Even in the dying minutes United were unlucky a long hopeful ball into the box saw Coghill spill the ball to second substitute Adam Sutherland and from a tight angle he fired in a low shot that seemed goal bound until Hourston arrived on the goal line to clear.
Full time
Wick Rovers 3-2 Pentland United
(Gray 61, 72)
1. M Gray 2. D Manson (A Sutherland 80) 3. R Thorburn 4. G Mackay 5. B Gray 6. G Bremner (c) 7. M Cook 8. S Campbell 9. S Mackay-Steven 10. R Bell (L Sutherland 45) 11. D Munro
View from the goal
A disappointing result to say the least but in the end we can’t have too many arguments really the Rovers were far more clinical than us in front of goal. Some days you get a feeling things aren’t going to run for you and I had that feeling from when we missed the early chance but that is football for you. The Rovers played very well and caused us a lot of problems with their pace and good luck to them. Our best wishes go out to James More and all at PU wish him a speedy recovery.
Half time
Wick Rovers 1-0 Pentland United
United started the second period the stronger looking to try and gain a foothold in the game after an unconvincing display in the first period. Manager Duncan Gray made a change at the interval removing Bell and replacing him with Lee Sutherland who had been unable to make kick-off the re-organisation saw Cook take a place upfront and Lee assume his midfield mantle. The Canisbay side huffed and puffed but really struggle to make an inroad as Alan Sinclair marshalled his backline very well. However just after the hour mark United grabbed a lifeline a Bremner freekick found Brian Gray on the edge of the box he took a touch before unleashing a powerful drive into the bottom corner passed the startled Coghill to level the match just when it seemed United had a platform to build on they conceded again a high ball into the box caused panic as United looked to clear the ball it fell to Salim who burst into the box before going down under the challenge of Campbell it looked soft but referee Duncan ruled in favour of the attacker and C Sinclair made an immaculate job to double his own personal tally as well as his sides. United tried to respond again Munro wriggled free of his marker before firing in a long range volley but Coghill was a match for the shot. The second equaliser came with just under 20 mins left to play Brian lined up to take a long throw but linked well with Munro instead before sending in a looping cross, which Coghill failed to deal with and as it landed in at the far post. But far from knock the stuffing out of the Wick side they fired on Reid broke free form a suspiciously offside position but fired tamely into keeper Gray’s hands but United failed to heed the warning as with less than 10 to go the same player made another break and took his time before poking the ball passed Gray for what proved to be the winner. Even in the dying minutes United were unlucky a long hopeful ball into the box saw Coghill spill the ball to second substitute Adam Sutherland and from a tight angle he fired in a low shot that seemed goal bound until Hourston arrived on the goal line to clear.
Full time
Wick Rovers 3-2 Pentland United
(Gray 61, 72)
1. M Gray 2. D Manson (A Sutherland 80) 3. R Thorburn 4. G Mackay 5. B Gray 6. G Bremner (c) 7. M Cook 8. S Campbell 9. S Mackay-Steven 10. R Bell (L Sutherland 45) 11. D Munro
View from the goal
A disappointing result to say the least but in the end we can’t have too many arguments really the Rovers were far more clinical than us in front of goal. Some days you get a feeling things aren’t going to run for you and I had that feeling from when we missed the early chance but that is football for you. The Rovers played very well and caused us a lot of problems with their pace and good luck to them. Our best wishes go out to James More and all at PU wish him a speedy recovery.