Post by Michael Gray on Jun 15, 2006 12:28:40 GMT
United travelled down to Dornoch for the Highland Amateur Cup 3rd round tie in Mediterranean style conditions ensuring that like England in Germany fluid intake would be essential both before and after the match although the type of fluid après match would hinge on the result. United welcomed back Tony Farquhar, Paul McCallum and Robert Bell to the squad with Mark Nichol, Grant Budge and Gavin Sutherland dropping out. The home side sprung a surprise by listing former Brora Rangers man David Jack in their ranks as the game kicked off City started brightly with a high energy approach while the visitors adopted a more conservative methodical style retaining possession and trying to draw their opponents on to them before using the flanks. United had the first opportunity within the first 5 mins when a Bremner corner caused panic and Tony Farquhar squeezed a header goalwards but it landed on the wrong side of the crossbar for the Milton based striker. The breakthrough came after 12 mins Farquhar again to found space to accept a pass from Sutherland before turning and sending a fine pass into the path of Manson who ran on drill the ball passed the despairing keeper. Minutes later the tall striker had a chance to double the advantage when he raced clear on to a fine through ball from Bremner but the ball never seemed to sit up right and his finish lacked power allowing the keeper to make a fine diving save with Jack completing the clearance. The home side responded when the tall left sided midfielder cut in along the 18 yard line and fired in a decent shot, which Gray gathered at the 2nd attempt. However it was United who struck again when Manson dinked in a fine pass that saw Farquhar spin his marker who clattered into his back with a reckless challenge and referee McMillan had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Brian Gray stepped up to fire in his 7th goal of the season in all competitions and take over as clubs top scorer dizzy heights indeed for the centre back. Dornoch however continued to battle away and United had another escape when Matheson sprung the offside trap but he failed to beat Gray with his side foot finish. Skipper Gavin Bremner then warmed the gloves of the keeper with a wicked inswinging freekick from the left that was creeping under the bar until the intervention of the Dornoch No.1. But United were not to be denied and after 32 mins a deep freekick into the box from Gray saw Derek Manson call for Farquhar to dummy the ball the striker duly obliged the leaving the wideman a difficult lob over the advancing keeper on the angle but he made an immaculate job of the chance allowing skipper Bremner to usher the ball over the line but the consensus of opinion credited the goal to Manson. Minutes before half time it got even better for the Canisbay side when Paul McCallum produced a superb raking pass from the centre circle allowing Derek Manson to run on and finish in remarkably similar fashion to the opener and with it a superb first half hat-trick although I am sure Mr Bremner will question the award of the 2nd goal.
Half-time
Dornoch City 0-4 Pentland United
After the break United continued to dominate proceedings and around 6 minutes into the half Tony Farquhar removed any lingering doubts over the tie Munro made a good break down the left and clipped the ball into Cook his attempted chip was blocked away only as far as Farquhar who deftly flicked the ball over the keeper from 18 yards. United then seemed to lose the urgency and hunger to continue attacking allowing the game to drift into a scrappy affair which suddenly gave the home side the opportunity to suddenly gain the upper hand and twice around the hour mark they made good inroads down the right but the final ball and finish lacked conviction and Gray was scarcely troubled. However Dornoch stepped up a gear after the introduction of substitute Jones who injected a real energy and spark to the Dornoch attack. In fact the substitute gave the home fans a glimmer of hope after 65 mins when he found space on the edge of the box after the United defence had failed to deal with a ball in from the right the tall striker took a touch before thumping in a brilliant shot via the underside of the bar. Dornoch continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges but were struggling to find a real cutting edge. However the resurgence was further enhanced when they were awarded a penalty after 74 mins again Jones did the spadework skipping away from a couple of challenges on the edge of the box he found space to clip the ball back into the area Matheson went down theatrically under pressure from McCallum and referee McMillan ruled in favour of the attacker. The little striker dusted himself down to send keeper Gray the wrong way and make the score 2-5. There was still time for controversy when Cook sprung the offside trap and rounded the keeper 30 yards from goal only to be brought crashing to the ground under what can only be described as a cynical challenge from the Dornoch No.1. However referee McMillan ruled in favour of leniency and allowed the stopper to escape with a caution, McCallum took the set-piece but his shot cleared the bar.
Full time
Dornoch City 2-5 Pentland United
(D Manson 12, 32 & 43, B Gray 21, Farquhar 51)
1. M Gray 2. D Manson (R Bell 78) 3. G Mackay 4. P McCallum 5. B Gray 6. G Bremner (c) 7. M Cook 8. W Inrig (B Mackay 72) 9. T Farquhar 10. L Sutherland 11. D Munro
View from the goal
Extremely difficult conditions to play in given the heat but I thought the lads coped pretty well once we got ahead we were pretty comfortable although if they had nicked the opener it might have been different. We killed the game shortly after half time and really lost our momentum and although we conceded a couple of sloppy goals we were worthy winners but the next round versus the winners of Thorfinn and Smithton will be a tougher challenge no doubt. Well done to Del a nice hat-trick and his first for the club I believe he is well deserving of the plaudits.
Half-time
Dornoch City 0-4 Pentland United
After the break United continued to dominate proceedings and around 6 minutes into the half Tony Farquhar removed any lingering doubts over the tie Munro made a good break down the left and clipped the ball into Cook his attempted chip was blocked away only as far as Farquhar who deftly flicked the ball over the keeper from 18 yards. United then seemed to lose the urgency and hunger to continue attacking allowing the game to drift into a scrappy affair which suddenly gave the home side the opportunity to suddenly gain the upper hand and twice around the hour mark they made good inroads down the right but the final ball and finish lacked conviction and Gray was scarcely troubled. However Dornoch stepped up a gear after the introduction of substitute Jones who injected a real energy and spark to the Dornoch attack. In fact the substitute gave the home fans a glimmer of hope after 65 mins when he found space on the edge of the box after the United defence had failed to deal with a ball in from the right the tall striker took a touch before thumping in a brilliant shot via the underside of the bar. Dornoch continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges but were struggling to find a real cutting edge. However the resurgence was further enhanced when they were awarded a penalty after 74 mins again Jones did the spadework skipping away from a couple of challenges on the edge of the box he found space to clip the ball back into the area Matheson went down theatrically under pressure from McCallum and referee McMillan ruled in favour of the attacker. The little striker dusted himself down to send keeper Gray the wrong way and make the score 2-5. There was still time for controversy when Cook sprung the offside trap and rounded the keeper 30 yards from goal only to be brought crashing to the ground under what can only be described as a cynical challenge from the Dornoch No.1. However referee McMillan ruled in favour of leniency and allowed the stopper to escape with a caution, McCallum took the set-piece but his shot cleared the bar.
Full time
Dornoch City 2-5 Pentland United
(D Manson 12, 32 & 43, B Gray 21, Farquhar 51)
1. M Gray 2. D Manson (R Bell 78) 3. G Mackay 4. P McCallum 5. B Gray 6. G Bremner (c) 7. M Cook 8. W Inrig (B Mackay 72) 9. T Farquhar 10. L Sutherland 11. D Munro
View from the goal
Extremely difficult conditions to play in given the heat but I thought the lads coped pretty well once we got ahead we were pretty comfortable although if they had nicked the opener it might have been different. We killed the game shortly after half time and really lost our momentum and although we conceded a couple of sloppy goals we were worthy winners but the next round versus the winners of Thorfinn and Smithton will be a tougher challenge no doubt. Well done to Del a nice hat-trick and his first for the club I believe he is well deserving of the plaudits.