Post by Michael Gray on Jul 31, 2006 11:11:55 GMT
Yet again United were to fall at the Quarter Final stage but not after a valiant effort against holders Lochs in Ullapool in searing heat. The early exchanges were pretty even with both defences on top however Gavin Bremner did get an early half chance after Tony Farquhar who was to be a thorn in the Lochs defence all day long shrugged off a couple of tackles down the right before crossing for the United skipper who lifted the ball goalwards with a delicate chip that landed on the top of the net. The champions responded and some neat interplay on the edge of the box saw the ball slipped into the path of Macleod but the striker’s deft finish drifted wide as keeper Gray attempted to close the angle. The game was being played in a chess like fashion but sides probing away and attempting counter attacks at every opportunity with the Lochs build up more methodical whereas United the United midfield were looking to bring Farquhar into play build there attacks from his lay-offs and flicks. Gavin Bremner again came close this time from a freekick after Farquhar had been manhandled to the ground the midfielder’s drive was powerful but just to straight and Black held on comfortably. Given the relatively few chances in the game it was a bit against the grain when Lochs took the lead Macmillan started the move on the right before feeding Macdonald, United failed to deal with the attack and when the cross came in winger Macmillan was first to react and head past Gray from 6 yards. United were a little stunned by this and probably entitled to be a little aggrieved after so little goalmouth action and matching their opponents in every department but the Western Isles team are not champions for nothing and within 10 mins had doubled their advantage. An innocuous looking corner from the right flicked off the top of Lee Sutherland’s head and fell kindly for Macleod who managed to hook the ball into the top corner despite the attentions of Ross Sutherland. The Canisbay side were now reeling and there was a real chance they could fall completely out of the game but despite Lochs best efforts they slowly managed to get back in the game and Tony Farquhar was just off target from fully 30 yards with a vicious volley. However the foothold they desperately required was achieved right on the half time whistle when a freekick from Gavin Bremner was lofted in towards Farquhar who once again out jumped his marker sending the ball into the danger area the ball rebounded towards the striker who was manhandled by Alasdair Mackenzie and referee Campbell pointed to the spot without hesitation, Brian Gray stepped up to fire the ball into the net sending keeper Black the wrong way in the process.
Half time
Pentland Utd 1-2 Lochs
Lochs started the second half slightly better than their counterparts from Caithness and within 5 mins Macdonald had a half chance that Gray blocked away with his feet after the ball ricocheted into the path of the striker. A lot has been made of this Lochs team and they continued to impress in the central midfield areas none more so than Murray who showed sensational feet work ten minutes into the half stepping away from 4 players on the edge of the box but once again the outstretched feet of Gray thwarted the attack. However after the two let offs United started to believe again and they duly equalised and what a goal it was Gavin Bremner broke from defence before feeding the ball into Farquhar who produced a delightful flick into the path of Scott Mackay-Steven he burst passed his marker Macmillan before unleashing an unstoppable shot from 25 yards into the roof of the net passed a startled Black. It was Lochs turn to feel the pressure and they were visibly shocked at the United response to going 2 down. The comeback was nearly completed around the hour mark when Gavin Bremner latched on to loose ball in the box but try as he would he just couldn’t get his toe wrapped round the ball and the shot squirmed wide. Minutes later Macleod had Lochs best attempt of the half when Murray found space before feeding the big striker before unleashing a shot against the balance of Gray but the keeper managed to get a hand to the ball to turn it away for a corner. The Dunnet men decided to freshen up their side when they replaced Derek Manson with Bobby Thorburn as the heat began to take its toll on the players. The game then settled into a lull with both teams enjoying good spells of possession in decent areas the final ball had deteriorated and long hopeful crosses began to be the norm with both keepers being kept on their toes fielding the balls but neither being seriously challenged as the blistering heat started to sap away at the energy left in both sides.
Full time
Pentland Utd 2-2 Lochs
(B Gray 45 pen, Mackay-Steven 68)
Disaster struck for United minutes into the extra-time period when Gary Mackay was harshly penalised for hand ball on the edge of the box. Murray took the freekick and Gray in trying to anticipate the shot wrong footed himself as the midfielder bent the ball round the wall into the far corner as the keeper tried to correct himself. Matters took a further turn for the worse when Scott Mackay-Steven so effective on the left hand side of the park succumbed to an ankle injury and was replaced by Adam Sutherland. The United team looked out on their feet at this point Ross Sutherland bravely struggled on despite a hamstring injury and Lochs were looking to take full advantage. Macleod had the chance to settle the game just before the break when latched on to a long ball that perhaps keeper Gray should have gone for but he redeemed himself by making the block.
First half extra time
Pentland Utd 2-3 Lochs
With only 15 minutes remaining united made a conscious effort to throw everything they had remaining at the island side even with their wilting strength there was always the outside chance they could drag them selves back level. Half way through the half United’s best chance arose when Farquhar knocked down a long ball to Bremner who showed instant control before laying the ball back into the path of Baker whose shot went into the ground before going wide. United continued to huff and puff but it was Lochs who were stronger and continued to ht on the counter Macmillan had a shot turned away by Gray as they looked to confirm their superiority. The last action saw Farquhar rather harshly penalised after challenging Black on the edge of the box the striker looked to have won the race but referee Campbell ruled in favour of the holders and United’s dream was extinguished for another year.
Full half extra time
Pentland Utd 2-3 Lochs
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. R Sutherland 4. B Gray 5. D Manson (B Thorburn 69) 6. G Bremner (c) 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig 9. T Farquhar 10. S Mackay-Steven (A Sutherland 97) 11. M Baker
View from the goal
What a spirited performance the boys put up really proud of each and everyone of them even with only 13 players they matched Lochs all the way and at 2 down could have folded but they battled to the very end. The odds were sacked against us after the call offs late in the day but we came very close to beating the holders and probably favourites certainly the conditions did us no favours, what a heat but the boys put absolutely everything into the game. So once again the Quarter Final curse rears its ugly head we just couldn’t get ahead of them and it would have been interesting to see what would have happened had we. Fair play though to Lochs they are an excellent team especially in the centre of the park and they will take a bit of stopping once again this year.
Half time
Pentland Utd 1-2 Lochs
Lochs started the second half slightly better than their counterparts from Caithness and within 5 mins Macdonald had a half chance that Gray blocked away with his feet after the ball ricocheted into the path of the striker. A lot has been made of this Lochs team and they continued to impress in the central midfield areas none more so than Murray who showed sensational feet work ten minutes into the half stepping away from 4 players on the edge of the box but once again the outstretched feet of Gray thwarted the attack. However after the two let offs United started to believe again and they duly equalised and what a goal it was Gavin Bremner broke from defence before feeding the ball into Farquhar who produced a delightful flick into the path of Scott Mackay-Steven he burst passed his marker Macmillan before unleashing an unstoppable shot from 25 yards into the roof of the net passed a startled Black. It was Lochs turn to feel the pressure and they were visibly shocked at the United response to going 2 down. The comeback was nearly completed around the hour mark when Gavin Bremner latched on to loose ball in the box but try as he would he just couldn’t get his toe wrapped round the ball and the shot squirmed wide. Minutes later Macleod had Lochs best attempt of the half when Murray found space before feeding the big striker before unleashing a shot against the balance of Gray but the keeper managed to get a hand to the ball to turn it away for a corner. The Dunnet men decided to freshen up their side when they replaced Derek Manson with Bobby Thorburn as the heat began to take its toll on the players. The game then settled into a lull with both teams enjoying good spells of possession in decent areas the final ball had deteriorated and long hopeful crosses began to be the norm with both keepers being kept on their toes fielding the balls but neither being seriously challenged as the blistering heat started to sap away at the energy left in both sides.
Full time
Pentland Utd 2-2 Lochs
(B Gray 45 pen, Mackay-Steven 68)
Disaster struck for United minutes into the extra-time period when Gary Mackay was harshly penalised for hand ball on the edge of the box. Murray took the freekick and Gray in trying to anticipate the shot wrong footed himself as the midfielder bent the ball round the wall into the far corner as the keeper tried to correct himself. Matters took a further turn for the worse when Scott Mackay-Steven so effective on the left hand side of the park succumbed to an ankle injury and was replaced by Adam Sutherland. The United team looked out on their feet at this point Ross Sutherland bravely struggled on despite a hamstring injury and Lochs were looking to take full advantage. Macleod had the chance to settle the game just before the break when latched on to a long ball that perhaps keeper Gray should have gone for but he redeemed himself by making the block.
First half extra time
Pentland Utd 2-3 Lochs
With only 15 minutes remaining united made a conscious effort to throw everything they had remaining at the island side even with their wilting strength there was always the outside chance they could drag them selves back level. Half way through the half United’s best chance arose when Farquhar knocked down a long ball to Bremner who showed instant control before laying the ball back into the path of Baker whose shot went into the ground before going wide. United continued to huff and puff but it was Lochs who were stronger and continued to ht on the counter Macmillan had a shot turned away by Gray as they looked to confirm their superiority. The last action saw Farquhar rather harshly penalised after challenging Black on the edge of the box the striker looked to have won the race but referee Campbell ruled in favour of the holders and United’s dream was extinguished for another year.
Full half extra time
Pentland Utd 2-3 Lochs
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. R Sutherland 4. B Gray 5. D Manson (B Thorburn 69) 6. G Bremner (c) 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig 9. T Farquhar 10. S Mackay-Steven (A Sutherland 97) 11. M Baker
View from the goal
What a spirited performance the boys put up really proud of each and everyone of them even with only 13 players they matched Lochs all the way and at 2 down could have folded but they battled to the very end. The odds were sacked against us after the call offs late in the day but we came very close to beating the holders and probably favourites certainly the conditions did us no favours, what a heat but the boys put absolutely everything into the game. So once again the Quarter Final curse rears its ugly head we just couldn’t get ahead of them and it would have been interesting to see what would have happened had we. Fair play though to Lochs they are an excellent team especially in the centre of the park and they will take a bit of stopping once again this year.