Post by Michael Gray on Jul 3, 2006 12:44:40 GMT
United had fresh injury worries ahead of the match with Dounreay Workshops firstly Gavin Sutherland failed to make it after receiving a dead leg in Groats then Scotty Mackay-Steven pulled up in the warm-up with a bad back this coupled with Ross Sutherland’s niggling injury reducing him to a place on the bench meant once again it was a make-shift side representing the Dunnet men. Early indications were not good the young ‘Shops team opened up with a real purpose and zest to their play knocking ball around their more experienced counterparts very neatly. It wasn’t long before frustration started to build in the Canisbay ranks as they struggled to shake off the shackles placed on them by Gus Mackay’s team. John Macleod due to leave for pastures new soon was keen to leave his mark on the title race before leaving firing just wide with a powerful drive after a good run. Slowly United manage to get their act together and they managed to open the scoring after 20 mins Cassidy did well down the right before whipping in a cross that just eluded Adam Sutherland at the far post the wideman then ran and retrieved the ball before sending in a delightful cross for Grant Budge to net with a firm header. But still the fluency could only be seen in patches a fine break-out saw Cassidy hold the ball on half-way before releasing Budge who stepped passed a couple of tackles before slipping in a lovely ball for the Cassidy who had continued his run the striker stepped inside Munro but the recovering Dane Mackay stopped him from getting in a clean shot at goal. Just before the half hour mark United made it two Derek Manson found Willie Inrig on a penetrating run into the right back area the midfielder took a fine touch before the feeding Cook who had burst into the box passed a couple of challenges before netting with the aid of a slight deflection. To their credit the ‘Shops responded very positively and never allowed their heads to go down and Shaun Swanson brought out a diving save from Gray after some slack passing from United allowed the midfielder time 18 yards out to let fly. Fraser Swanson was then called into action at the other end and he did very well to turn away a low angled drive from Gavin Bremner after the skipper had burst into the box onto a Cassidy lay-off. The visitors had a huge let off after 35 mins when Ewan Scott strode forward from his right back position before cutting in onto his left foot and crash a vicious shot from 20 yards off the crossbar. Just before the break United had another super opportunity when Budge raced clear from 40 yards out but Swanson closed the angle and did very well to smother the opportunity as the scoreline remained 0-2 at the break.
Half time
Workshops 0-2 Pentland United
The half-time rollicking seemed to have a positive effect on the United team as they started the second half with more purpose about their play. It took less than 5 minutes for United to further stretch their lead once again Budge was at the heart of the move taking off on another ambling run down the right he cut in and fed Adam Sutherland who never broke stride before arcing a super effort from 20 yards into the roof of the net with Swanson beaten all ends up. To be fair to the ‘Shops though they continued to display a ‘never say die’ attitude and playing pretty decent stuff with it as well John Macleod continued to be a menace up front and he was very close again after 58 mins with a drive from 20 yards that had Gray scrambling and in the end relieved to see it sneak passed the post. The game was now pretty open and United were starting to gain the upper hand in terms of possession Grant Budge missed a super chance to put the game beyond any doubt on the hour mark after Brian Thain had done well down the right and picking out the the former Lybster man with a fine cross but he just failed to hit the target with a header from 6 yards. Luke Cassidy stung the hands of keeper Swanson when he unleashed a powerful drive from the edge of the box but it was just too straight. United then replaced Adam Sutherland with Barry Mackay after the scorer of the third goal seemed to take a knock to his achilles. Moments later after another lung bursting run Brian Thain was withdrawn and replaced with Angus Mackay giving Brian a well earned rest ahead of Saturday's cup tie v Thorfinn. The substitute nearly made an instant impression after he latched onto a loose ball 20 yards before driving a shot in that again Swanson held onto. The ‘Shops did manage to create the odd half chance in the closing 10 minutes or so with the eager running of Macleod getting to the byeline but the final ball was proving difficult and they never really managed to test Gray. The final chance of the game actually fell to Barry Mackay when he found space in the box to meet a Grant Budge cross but unfortunately for him his header was off target.
Full time
Workshops 0-3 Pentland United
(Budge 21, Cook 32, A Sutherland 51)
1. M Gray 2. D Manson 3. G Mackay 4. B Gray 5. M Cook 6. G Bremner (c) 7. B Thain (A Mackay 74) 68 8. W Inrig 9. G Budge 10. L Cassidy 11. A Sutherland (B Mackay 71)
Subs not used
S Mackay-Steven, R Sutherland
View from the goal
A pretty tired performance if I am honest think the effort put in on the Monday showed on quite a few of the legs but we managed to get the three points so mission accomplished. The ‘Shops well they are facing a huge struggle to stay in the division with time running out rapidly they played some neat stuff and were the better team for long spells in the first half and probably deserved a goal but thankfully we did kickstart after Granty got the opener. 6 more league games to go starting with a huge assignment in Dunnet on Monday v Castletown which will complete a gruelling schedule just hope the boys can raise themselves again in what will be a very difficult game.
Half time
Workshops 0-2 Pentland United
The half-time rollicking seemed to have a positive effect on the United team as they started the second half with more purpose about their play. It took less than 5 minutes for United to further stretch their lead once again Budge was at the heart of the move taking off on another ambling run down the right he cut in and fed Adam Sutherland who never broke stride before arcing a super effort from 20 yards into the roof of the net with Swanson beaten all ends up. To be fair to the ‘Shops though they continued to display a ‘never say die’ attitude and playing pretty decent stuff with it as well John Macleod continued to be a menace up front and he was very close again after 58 mins with a drive from 20 yards that had Gray scrambling and in the end relieved to see it sneak passed the post. The game was now pretty open and United were starting to gain the upper hand in terms of possession Grant Budge missed a super chance to put the game beyond any doubt on the hour mark after Brian Thain had done well down the right and picking out the the former Lybster man with a fine cross but he just failed to hit the target with a header from 6 yards. Luke Cassidy stung the hands of keeper Swanson when he unleashed a powerful drive from the edge of the box but it was just too straight. United then replaced Adam Sutherland with Barry Mackay after the scorer of the third goal seemed to take a knock to his achilles. Moments later after another lung bursting run Brian Thain was withdrawn and replaced with Angus Mackay giving Brian a well earned rest ahead of Saturday's cup tie v Thorfinn. The substitute nearly made an instant impression after he latched onto a loose ball 20 yards before driving a shot in that again Swanson held onto. The ‘Shops did manage to create the odd half chance in the closing 10 minutes or so with the eager running of Macleod getting to the byeline but the final ball was proving difficult and they never really managed to test Gray. The final chance of the game actually fell to Barry Mackay when he found space in the box to meet a Grant Budge cross but unfortunately for him his header was off target.
Full time
Workshops 0-3 Pentland United
(Budge 21, Cook 32, A Sutherland 51)
1. M Gray 2. D Manson 3. G Mackay 4. B Gray 5. M Cook 6. G Bremner (c) 7. B Thain (A Mackay 74) 68 8. W Inrig 9. G Budge 10. L Cassidy 11. A Sutherland (B Mackay 71)
Subs not used
S Mackay-Steven, R Sutherland
View from the goal
A pretty tired performance if I am honest think the effort put in on the Monday showed on quite a few of the legs but we managed to get the three points so mission accomplished. The ‘Shops well they are facing a huge struggle to stay in the division with time running out rapidly they played some neat stuff and were the better team for long spells in the first half and probably deserved a goal but thankfully we did kickstart after Granty got the opener. 6 more league games to go starting with a huge assignment in Dunnet on Monday v Castletown which will complete a gruelling schedule just hope the boys can raise themselves again in what will be a very difficult game.