Post by Michael Gray on Jul 25, 2006 11:10:32 GMT
United travelled to Watten for the first time in many a year to meet a somewhat resurgent Mid County who have been steadily improving throughout the season. United again made a host of changes to the side that defeated Wick Groats the week previous out went Grant Budge, Luke Cassidy and Stevie Gray in came Gavin Sutherland, Barry Mackay and Calum Welsh. United opened up content to retain possession and stretch their opponents around their park before looking for the killer pass however for the first ten minutes chances were at a premium with a last gasp tackle from McMahon on Adam Sutherland the only real action of note. The deadlock however was broken after 12 mins good interchange down the right saw Inrig free Adam Sutherland who squared the ball for namesake Lee who side stepped Pearson before firing into the bottom corner. The pace of the game never really rose above pedestrian level as United continued to knock the ball around confidently but credit to Mid County they never gave up the chase and harried their opponents at every opportunity. Ross Sutherland then powered a header over from 8 yards after Gavin Bremner picked him out superbly with a corner from the right. The Mid County defence were not to learn their lesson in fact all evening set-pieces were to be a thorn in their side when Sutherland again found space to power header against the bar but as everyone stood watching the same man found space to thunder the rebound into the net. This gave United breathing space although a little slackness did creep in at the back with some slack passing one such moment saw Ross Sutherland attempt a back heel to Brian Gray but only succeeded in finding Elder who drove into the box before attempting a cross cum shot which Gray cut out at the near post. Brian Gray then missed a snip at the far post when once again Bremner succeeded in picking out a team mate from a corner but the central defenders header back across goal failed to find the target. United probably put the game out of sight with twenty minutes still left in the half when another sweeping move down the right saw Derek Manson find room to pick out Lee Sutherland who wasted no time in dispatching a sidefoot shot past McElroy. Just after the half hour mark United made absolutely certain once again the source of trouble for Mid County was a corner kick and once again Ross Sutherland was causing havoc bulleting a header back across goal for Adam Sutherland to power a header high passed McElroy. United continued to attack but failed to increase their lead with Gavin Sutherland a constant menace on the left cutting in and finding the side net and also Gary Mackay venturing forward but dragging his shot from 25 yards wide of the post.
Half time
Mid County 0-4 Pentland United
Given the conditions and the importance of upcoming games it was always inevitable that United would make changes to their side and also the pace of the game was likely to drop. After about 5 mins Duncan Gray whipped off Willie Inrig intent on protecting the midfielder for the weekend and replaced him with Ewen Boyd this required some re-jigging with Adam Sutherland moving to wide right and Derek Manson assuming a more central role. On the hour mark Gavin Sutherland linked really well with Lee Sutherland but once again his shot never quite found the target. Minutes later Ross Sutherland was withdrawn and replaced by Calum Welsh again it required a reshuffle with Ewen Boyd moving to the back and Calum taking a striking role. Gavin Sutherland was again so unlucky when he met an Adam Sutherland cross and crashed a header off the bar before the chance again petered out. Mid County did manage to create a good chance with just under twenty minutes remaining when a lung bursting run from MacAlpine saw him get to the byeline before standing up a cross to the far post but the stretching Macintosh could only head wide as Gray scrambled across his goal line. Brian Gray set up another scramble when he ventured forward once again to meet a Bremner corner the centre half powered his header goalwards and Barry Mackay attempted to flick the ball home but he couldn’t beat McElroy. United were continuing to be frustrated as they struggled to find a goal number 5 passed a stubborn Mid County rearguard even after conceding 4 goals they continued to resist with great enthusiasm and energy. United did manage to conjure up a number of decent opening but the finishing lacked the quality and composure of the build up play as United moved into a Quarter Final match up with Rovers in Dunnet a side they have failed to beat in open play from the first two meetings of the season.
Full time
Mid County 0-4 Pentland United
(L Sutherland 9, 26, R Sutherland 17, A Sutherland 31)
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. R Sutherland (C Welsh 66) 4. B Gray 5. D Manson 6. G Bremner (c) 7. A Sutherland 8. W Inrig (E Boyd 52) 9. B Mackay 10. G Sutherland 11. L Sutherland
View from the goal
A comfortable enough victory we managed to knock the ball around and retain possession pretty well forcing our opponents to really work for everything. I think the margin of victory was also about right Mid County put up a fairly spirited fight and didn’t deserve too lose by anymore although our finishing throughout the game was less than impressive. Now to the small matter of the HA Cup Quarter Final in Ullapool against the holders, which will be a real test of character.
Half time
Mid County 0-4 Pentland United
Given the conditions and the importance of upcoming games it was always inevitable that United would make changes to their side and also the pace of the game was likely to drop. After about 5 mins Duncan Gray whipped off Willie Inrig intent on protecting the midfielder for the weekend and replaced him with Ewen Boyd this required some re-jigging with Adam Sutherland moving to wide right and Derek Manson assuming a more central role. On the hour mark Gavin Sutherland linked really well with Lee Sutherland but once again his shot never quite found the target. Minutes later Ross Sutherland was withdrawn and replaced by Calum Welsh again it required a reshuffle with Ewen Boyd moving to the back and Calum taking a striking role. Gavin Sutherland was again so unlucky when he met an Adam Sutherland cross and crashed a header off the bar before the chance again petered out. Mid County did manage to create a good chance with just under twenty minutes remaining when a lung bursting run from MacAlpine saw him get to the byeline before standing up a cross to the far post but the stretching Macintosh could only head wide as Gray scrambled across his goal line. Brian Gray set up another scramble when he ventured forward once again to meet a Bremner corner the centre half powered his header goalwards and Barry Mackay attempted to flick the ball home but he couldn’t beat McElroy. United were continuing to be frustrated as they struggled to find a goal number 5 passed a stubborn Mid County rearguard even after conceding 4 goals they continued to resist with great enthusiasm and energy. United did manage to conjure up a number of decent opening but the finishing lacked the quality and composure of the build up play as United moved into a Quarter Final match up with Rovers in Dunnet a side they have failed to beat in open play from the first two meetings of the season.
Full time
Mid County 0-4 Pentland United
(L Sutherland 9, 26, R Sutherland 17, A Sutherland 31)
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. R Sutherland (C Welsh 66) 4. B Gray 5. D Manson 6. G Bremner (c) 7. A Sutherland 8. W Inrig (E Boyd 52) 9. B Mackay 10. G Sutherland 11. L Sutherland
View from the goal
A comfortable enough victory we managed to knock the ball around and retain possession pretty well forcing our opponents to really work for everything. I think the margin of victory was also about right Mid County put up a fairly spirited fight and didn’t deserve too lose by anymore although our finishing throughout the game was less than impressive. Now to the small matter of the HA Cup Quarter Final in Ullapool against the holders, which will be a real test of character.