Post by Brian Mackay on Jul 13, 2003 12:28:46 GMT
Eain MacIntosh Cup Final - Saturday 5th of July 2003
Pentland United 2 V Acks 1 - By Michael "Archie MacPherson wannabe" Gray
A lovely warm afternoon greeted United to Halkirk for the first County Cup Final of the season versus league leaders the Acks, United had Willie Inrig, Hamish Boyd, Graeme Elder and John Mackay all missing from their squad although they did welcome back Kevin Morris, Andy Mackay and Luke Cassidy after the semi-final triumph in Wick.
Both sides opened up with the familiar 3-5-2 systems in place United held Morris, Cassidy and Manson back on the bench, Acks started recent signing from the Workshops Phillip Green. Goal scoring chances in the early stages were at a premium and set pieces were looking like being the most likely route to goal. The Acks had an early scare when Swanson under severe pressure from Gray couldn't hold on to a Mackay corner and Reid was at full stretch to clear.
The battle down the United right was proving an intriguing one with the Mackay pitched against Macgregor both showing early flashes of what would be a ding-dong battle all afternoon.
Gray then made an awkward save from Makouli when the midfield man's spinning effort looked like beating him he reached up to tip over. From the resultant corner Skinner cleared for another corner from the resultant flag kick he inadvertently headed goalwards but straight into the grateful hands of Gray.
Mackay then brought out a quality save from Swanson after good wing play from Mackenzie allowed him the chance to cross for the wideman to fire in a volley low and hard but the big keeper showed safe hands clutching on to the ball. The Thurso side then survived loud appeals for a penalty when Mackenzie was sent flying in the box by Sutherland by referee Munro turned away the United protests.
United then suffered a huge blow the influential Sutherland conceded in his battle to overcome a calf injury and was replaced by Morris with Farquhar moving into a deeper role.
Beattie then did well down the right cutting but his shot was just off target as the defence retreated.Makouli then tried his luck with a long range freekick but it was just too straight and Gray held on as Murray and MacDougall awaited any slip up.
At this point the Acks were beginning to take a grip on the game and they took the lead shortly on the half hour mark and it came from the most unlikeliest of sources Gray's header reached the edge of the box and Campbell placed his shot curling round the approaching defenders to give the Acks a deserved lead on the balance of play.
Within minutes MacDougall had another glorious opportunity when played in by Makouli but Gray retreating recovered to make a superb last ditch tackle as the striker prepared to shoot. The closing stages was fought mainly in the centre of the park with neither team creating any real chances of note.
Half-time Pentland United 0-1 Acks
United returned to the park keen to make an amends for the disappointment of the first half and good running from Farquhar was rewarded with a corner after only three minutes and Gray rose highest at the far post to power a header into the net and square the game.
This seemed to rattle the Acks and only five minutes later they were behind Beattie laid the ball back to Bremner who fed Morris the big striker rolled his marker Sutherland expertly before firing off a low shot that Swanson did well to parry but the keeper could only look on in despair as Mackenzie rolled the ball into he empty net to give United the lead for the first time in the game.
At this point United were rampant Mackenzie cut in from the left and flashed a shot across goal with Swanson beaten all ends up. Morris then placed a near post volley just past the post after brilliant wing play from Mackenzie once again.
Beattie was having a much livelier second half and was starting to make life increasingly difficult for the Acks back three he beat Reid down the right before laying the ball back to Mackay whose first time cross was cleared by Coghill with Farquhar lurking with intent behind the midfielder.
After 65 mins Beattie had a glorious chance to extend the lead he cruised past Sutherland into the box but as he attempted to shoot he lost balance and the shot lacked any real conviction and drifted past the post this was to be the frontman's last contribution as he pulled up with cramp and was replaced by Cassidy.
The Acks then had an excellent chance to equalise Mackay at the back post could only partially clear a Sutherland centre to MacDougall on the penalty spot but his shot just cleared the bar as Skinner closed in. As the game approached the final quarter of an hour it became increasingly stretched and Mackay was being forced further back as the Acks chased an equaliser but the wideman's experience told as he mopped up everything thrown at him.
Cassidy nearly marked his return from holiday with a goal when Bremner made a superb surging run down the right and crossed low to the near post but Cassidy could only scuff the shot back to Swanson as the ball was ever so slightly behind him. Morris had another chance to score when set up by a combination of Cassidy and Mackenzie he just delayed too long and allowed Reid to recover and make a super tackle.
The game entered the closing stages with the Acks winning a couple of corners but each time but United's defence stood firm. In the final minute a teasing Makouli cross was intercepted by Gray as Coghill who had ghosted in at the far post waited to head home.
The first trophy of the season bagged after a terrific second half display on the back off a disappointing first half performance when to many nerves were shown throughout the side. Skinner picked up the man of the match award and although there could be no arguments with the decision Morris must have been a close second.
A typical Acks-Canisbay game with both side fully committed to playing football neither side were outstanding on the day but probably United's second half left them just about deserving their win and allowed skipper Farmer to pick up his first county trophy.
PUFC Line-up - M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, M Baker,
R Farmer, G Bremner, R Sutherland (Morris 20)
T Farquhar, A Mackay, R Beattie (Cassidy 68),
N Mackenzie Sub not used - D Manson
Pentland United 2 V Acks 1 - By Michael "Archie MacPherson wannabe" Gray
A lovely warm afternoon greeted United to Halkirk for the first County Cup Final of the season versus league leaders the Acks, United had Willie Inrig, Hamish Boyd, Graeme Elder and John Mackay all missing from their squad although they did welcome back Kevin Morris, Andy Mackay and Luke Cassidy after the semi-final triumph in Wick.
Both sides opened up with the familiar 3-5-2 systems in place United held Morris, Cassidy and Manson back on the bench, Acks started recent signing from the Workshops Phillip Green. Goal scoring chances in the early stages were at a premium and set pieces were looking like being the most likely route to goal. The Acks had an early scare when Swanson under severe pressure from Gray couldn't hold on to a Mackay corner and Reid was at full stretch to clear.
The battle down the United right was proving an intriguing one with the Mackay pitched against Macgregor both showing early flashes of what would be a ding-dong battle all afternoon.
Gray then made an awkward save from Makouli when the midfield man's spinning effort looked like beating him he reached up to tip over. From the resultant corner Skinner cleared for another corner from the resultant flag kick he inadvertently headed goalwards but straight into the grateful hands of Gray.
Mackay then brought out a quality save from Swanson after good wing play from Mackenzie allowed him the chance to cross for the wideman to fire in a volley low and hard but the big keeper showed safe hands clutching on to the ball. The Thurso side then survived loud appeals for a penalty when Mackenzie was sent flying in the box by Sutherland by referee Munro turned away the United protests.
United then suffered a huge blow the influential Sutherland conceded in his battle to overcome a calf injury and was replaced by Morris with Farquhar moving into a deeper role.
Beattie then did well down the right cutting but his shot was just off target as the defence retreated.Makouli then tried his luck with a long range freekick but it was just too straight and Gray held on as Murray and MacDougall awaited any slip up.
At this point the Acks were beginning to take a grip on the game and they took the lead shortly on the half hour mark and it came from the most unlikeliest of sources Gray's header reached the edge of the box and Campbell placed his shot curling round the approaching defenders to give the Acks a deserved lead on the balance of play.
Within minutes MacDougall had another glorious opportunity when played in by Makouli but Gray retreating recovered to make a superb last ditch tackle as the striker prepared to shoot. The closing stages was fought mainly in the centre of the park with neither team creating any real chances of note.
Half-time Pentland United 0-1 Acks
United returned to the park keen to make an amends for the disappointment of the first half and good running from Farquhar was rewarded with a corner after only three minutes and Gray rose highest at the far post to power a header into the net and square the game.
This seemed to rattle the Acks and only five minutes later they were behind Beattie laid the ball back to Bremner who fed Morris the big striker rolled his marker Sutherland expertly before firing off a low shot that Swanson did well to parry but the keeper could only look on in despair as Mackenzie rolled the ball into he empty net to give United the lead for the first time in the game.
At this point United were rampant Mackenzie cut in from the left and flashed a shot across goal with Swanson beaten all ends up. Morris then placed a near post volley just past the post after brilliant wing play from Mackenzie once again.
Beattie was having a much livelier second half and was starting to make life increasingly difficult for the Acks back three he beat Reid down the right before laying the ball back to Mackay whose first time cross was cleared by Coghill with Farquhar lurking with intent behind the midfielder.
After 65 mins Beattie had a glorious chance to extend the lead he cruised past Sutherland into the box but as he attempted to shoot he lost balance and the shot lacked any real conviction and drifted past the post this was to be the frontman's last contribution as he pulled up with cramp and was replaced by Cassidy.
The Acks then had an excellent chance to equalise Mackay at the back post could only partially clear a Sutherland centre to MacDougall on the penalty spot but his shot just cleared the bar as Skinner closed in. As the game approached the final quarter of an hour it became increasingly stretched and Mackay was being forced further back as the Acks chased an equaliser but the wideman's experience told as he mopped up everything thrown at him.
Cassidy nearly marked his return from holiday with a goal when Bremner made a superb surging run down the right and crossed low to the near post but Cassidy could only scuff the shot back to Swanson as the ball was ever so slightly behind him. Morris had another chance to score when set up by a combination of Cassidy and Mackenzie he just delayed too long and allowed Reid to recover and make a super tackle.
The game entered the closing stages with the Acks winning a couple of corners but each time but United's defence stood firm. In the final minute a teasing Makouli cross was intercepted by Gray as Coghill who had ghosted in at the far post waited to head home.
The first trophy of the season bagged after a terrific second half display on the back off a disappointing first half performance when to many nerves were shown throughout the side. Skinner picked up the man of the match award and although there could be no arguments with the decision Morris must have been a close second.
A typical Acks-Canisbay game with both side fully committed to playing football neither side were outstanding on the day but probably United's second half left them just about deserving their win and allowed skipper Farmer to pick up his first county trophy.
PUFC Line-up - M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, M Baker,
R Farmer, G Bremner, R Sutherland (Morris 20)
T Farquhar, A Mackay, R Beattie (Cassidy 68),
N Mackenzie Sub not used - D Manson
