Post by Michael Gray on Jul 4, 2006 11:37:32 GMT
United welcomed Orcadian league leaders Thorfinn to Ham Park for the right to progress into the Highland Amateur Cup quarter finals. Grant Budge and Luke Cassidy dropped out from the side that had defeated Workshops the match previous while Tony Farquhar, Scott Mackay-Steven and Lee Sutherland all made welcome returns. Playing into a stiff breeze United took a little while to settle as their opponents made the more positive start keen to utilise the advantage afforded to them by the elements. Good play from Miller, who would be a menace all afternoon down the right, saw him take a return pass from Stout but from 15 yards on the angle his shot went straight into the mid-drift of keeper Gray. Minutes later visiting keeper Reid nearly presented Mackay-Steven with a great chance when he sclaffed a passback straight to the striker but he recovered the situation bravely diving at the feet of the pacey frontman. Orcadian teams have a reputation for being big physical sides and this Thorfinn side are no exception although they play decent stuff they had an obvious physical advantage over the home side and used this to good effect. Donaldson then made a late dash into the box to meet a Miller cross but he failed to get enough purchase on the header and Gray gathered comfortably. The opener came mid-way through the half a long freekick saw Farquhar who had given the Thorfinn defence a torrid time in the air rise and flick the ball beautifully into the path of Scott Mackay-Steven who took a super touch before firing passed the diving Reid. United really upped their game from this point and should have gone further ahead 5 mins later a storming run from Gavin Bremner was picked out by Cook the skipper drove to the byeline before delivering a super cross that Brian Thain met on the run but he couldn’t believe when his header flew over the unguarded net. However this never fazed the home side and they carved out yet another glorious chance ten minutes before the break a sweet interchange on the edge of the box between Gavin Bremner, Willie Inrig and Lee Sutherland saw the young midfielder prise open the Thorfinn defence allowing Mackay-Steven to slide in another attempt but yet again the chance slipped away. Miller who had been the most productive player for Thorfinn then let fly from 25 yards after cutting in from the right on to his left foot and Gray was mightily relieved to see the shot fly wide of his right hand post. The remainder of the half saw Thorfinn sneak back into the game but goal scoring chances were at a premium a couple of set-pieces were fielded by Gray but all in all the home trio of Ross Sutherland, Gary Mackay and Brian Gray had coped pretty well with the movement and pace of the Thorfinn attack.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Kirkwall Thorfinn
The second period started in whirlwind fashion Orr latching on to a loose clearance 25 yards out on the volley bringing out a diving save from Gray and from the resultant corner Foubister failed to hit the target. Gray swept the goal kick up the field allowing Tony Farquhar to race clear and slide in to beat Reid to the ball and double United’s advantage. Within 5 mins United came within a whisker of going further ahead when another sweeping move freed Scott Mackay-Steven down the right the striker raced into the box composed himself before drilling the ball passed Reid but couldn’t believe his luck as the ball rebounded clear off the inside of the post. This was a significant miss in terms of the balance of the game as suddenly Thorfinn started to come more and more into the game growing in confidence and even into the wind they were making serious inroads into the United defence pressurising at every opportunity. Damien Sutherland had a good run down the left before crossing for the inrushing Orr but he just failed to get enough purchase on the shot and the chance evaporated. With just under 20 to go the Orcadian side were thrown a lifeline when the United defence failed to deal with a long hanging ball allowing Stout the chance to break into the box as Brian Gray moved over the to mop up the opportunity the little striker appeared to nudge the ball on with his arm before colliding with Gray and referee Jappy had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Ross Sutherland assumed the responsibility and fired low to the right of the despairing Gray to halve the deficit. This sparked a purple patch for the visitors as they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territory pushing United back and the 3rd game in 6 days were starting to show in the home ranks as fatigue began to appear. However for all their dominance Thorfinn were struggling to break the United rearguard down but it was requiring United to use all their experience and concentration to stay with their Island opponents. However with just over 10 mins left United missed what can only be described as a sitter Scott Mackay-Steven sprung the offside trap again and raced to the byeline before cutting the ball back for Tony Farquhar presenting him with an open goal 6 yards out but to the dismay of the United fans the Milton based striker fired over the top. Martyn Cook was withdrawn and replaced with Derek Manson as United looked to freshen the side up to cope with both the conditions and the fact Thorfinn were throwing everything at them. With less than 5 minutes left United had another chance when Gavin Bremner was presented with a freekick 30 yards from goal the skipper rocketed in a shot that Reid parried, Farquhar was first to react but credit to the Thorfinn keeper he responded with a great block. The tall striker was then replaced with Barry Mackay to take a well earned break after a tireless shift yet again for the United cause although I am sure the thought of that miss will haunt him for many a year especially if Martin and Bud have anything to do with it.
Full time
Pentland United 2-1 Kirkwall Thorfinn
(Mackay-Steven 22, Farquhar 49)
1. M Gray 2. R Sutherland 3. G Mackay 4. B Gray 5. M Cook (D Manson 77) 6. G Bremner (c) 7. B Thain 8. W Inrig 9. T Farquhar (B Mackay 85) 10. S Mackay-Steven 11. L Sutherland
Subs not used
A Sutherland
View from the goal
A superb effort once again the boys showed tremendous determination and energy to overcome an excellent Thorfinn side. We have had some horrendous selection problems recently with injuries and player unavailability and the fact that was our 3rd game in 6 days says a lot for the squad that they still managed to come through so well. At the start of the season there is no way we would have thought the quarter finals was possible yet we are there now and who knows if the draw is favourable we may even progress further.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Kirkwall Thorfinn
The second period started in whirlwind fashion Orr latching on to a loose clearance 25 yards out on the volley bringing out a diving save from Gray and from the resultant corner Foubister failed to hit the target. Gray swept the goal kick up the field allowing Tony Farquhar to race clear and slide in to beat Reid to the ball and double United’s advantage. Within 5 mins United came within a whisker of going further ahead when another sweeping move freed Scott Mackay-Steven down the right the striker raced into the box composed himself before drilling the ball passed Reid but couldn’t believe his luck as the ball rebounded clear off the inside of the post. This was a significant miss in terms of the balance of the game as suddenly Thorfinn started to come more and more into the game growing in confidence and even into the wind they were making serious inroads into the United defence pressurising at every opportunity. Damien Sutherland had a good run down the left before crossing for the inrushing Orr but he just failed to get enough purchase on the shot and the chance evaporated. With just under 20 to go the Orcadian side were thrown a lifeline when the United defence failed to deal with a long hanging ball allowing Stout the chance to break into the box as Brian Gray moved over the to mop up the opportunity the little striker appeared to nudge the ball on with his arm before colliding with Gray and referee Jappy had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Ross Sutherland assumed the responsibility and fired low to the right of the despairing Gray to halve the deficit. This sparked a purple patch for the visitors as they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territory pushing United back and the 3rd game in 6 days were starting to show in the home ranks as fatigue began to appear. However for all their dominance Thorfinn were struggling to break the United rearguard down but it was requiring United to use all their experience and concentration to stay with their Island opponents. However with just over 10 mins left United missed what can only be described as a sitter Scott Mackay-Steven sprung the offside trap again and raced to the byeline before cutting the ball back for Tony Farquhar presenting him with an open goal 6 yards out but to the dismay of the United fans the Milton based striker fired over the top. Martyn Cook was withdrawn and replaced with Derek Manson as United looked to freshen the side up to cope with both the conditions and the fact Thorfinn were throwing everything at them. With less than 5 minutes left United had another chance when Gavin Bremner was presented with a freekick 30 yards from goal the skipper rocketed in a shot that Reid parried, Farquhar was first to react but credit to the Thorfinn keeper he responded with a great block. The tall striker was then replaced with Barry Mackay to take a well earned break after a tireless shift yet again for the United cause although I am sure the thought of that miss will haunt him for many a year especially if Martin and Bud have anything to do with it.
Full time
Pentland United 2-1 Kirkwall Thorfinn
(Mackay-Steven 22, Farquhar 49)
1. M Gray 2. R Sutherland 3. G Mackay 4. B Gray 5. M Cook (D Manson 77) 6. G Bremner (c) 7. B Thain 8. W Inrig 9. T Farquhar (B Mackay 85) 10. S Mackay-Steven 11. L Sutherland
Subs not used
A Sutherland
View from the goal
A superb effort once again the boys showed tremendous determination and energy to overcome an excellent Thorfinn side. We have had some horrendous selection problems recently with injuries and player unavailability and the fact that was our 3rd game in 6 days says a lot for the squad that they still managed to come through so well. At the start of the season there is no way we would have thought the quarter finals was possible yet we are there now and who knows if the draw is favourable we may even progress further.