Post by Brian Mackay on Jul 13, 2003 12:30:20 GMT
CAFA League Division One - Monday 7th of July 2003
Wick Thistle 0 V Pentland United 3 - By Michael Gray
For the second consecutive Monday United faced Thistle in Wick this time it was the return league fixture after the 1-1 draw in Dunnet earlier in the season torrential rain just prior to kick off left the playing surface being less that conducive to good football. United showed a couple of changes from the cup winning side Andy Mackay (holiday) and Ross Sutherland (calf) dropped out while Hamish Boyd and Graeme Elder returned to the fray.
United had an early scare when Baker knocked a through ball past Gray but the defender recovered to clear the ball to safety under pressure from Sutherland. Thistle held the upper hand in terms of possession for the first 10 minutes with United struggling to come to terms with the difficult underfoot conditions. Gradually United came more into the game and had a huge shout for a penalty turned away by referee Munro when a superb surging run from Bremner after good work from Farquhar was abruptly ended by Fairweather's tackle.
Morris then stung the hands of McGee with a powerful left foot drive after being played in down the left channel by Mackenzie, Henderson completed the clearance. Farquhar then missed a good chance from a Bremner corner when he only succeeded in flicking the ball over the bar when perhaps leaving the ball to Boyd who was better placed behind the midfielder.
Sutherland then had a chance for the home side on the angle but his shot flew past Gray's post with his team-mates screaming for a centre. United then suffered another serious injury blow Boyd set of on a bounding run up field before colliding with Martin in a nasty challenge, he tried to stay on but was replaced by Beattie before going to the hospital. McGee then pulled off an excellent save from Mackenzie when the midfielder let fly from the edge of the box he superbly got down to tip the ball round the post.
It then appeared to half the crowd that Mackenzie had opened the scoring with brilliant long range drive but the shot had in fact rebounded of the barrier behind the goal before rippling the back of the net. At the other end a Reid shot had Gray more than a little concerned when skipped back off the turf but he clutched the ball to his chest. A long Gray freekick then found the head of Morris who flicked on for Mackenzie he broke to the byeline before cutting back Hughes intercepted but only as far as Cassidy who let fly with a left foot volley, which again was brilliantly repelled by McGee. A superb three man move between Mackenzie, Morris and Cassidy then released Farquhar who had brilliantly timed his run from deep beyond his marker but he screwed his shot just wide under pressure from Hughes.
The opener finally came in the dying minutes of the first half, Skinner whipped in a freekick from the half-way line which Morris met and flicked on in the general direction of the goal Beattie reacted quickest but couldn't believe his luck when the ball cannoned back off the bar but his horror turned to delight when Morris met the rebound with his head to score.
Half-time 1-0 to PUFC
Thistle opened up strongly in the second half and a Weir shot was dealt with uncomfortably by Gray but he did recover to stop a corner being conceded. Cassidy then brilliantly turned his marker Henderson and cut in from the left but his shot whistled wide with McGee quite unconcerned in the goal. Beattie was having good joy down the right initially in subduing Steven but also making inroads into the Thistle defence and he earned a corner after beating Steven but Henderson recovered to clear. From Beattie's resulting flag kick Morris rose under pressure from Hughes but could only head over.
After 58 mins the advantage was doubled and it was largely down to the individual brilliance of Mackenzie, Farquhar found him in the left corner with two men around him but a drop of the shoulder and a flick of the ball later he was running along the byeline unopposed his cut back found Bremner whose first time shot has saved by McGee but the keeper was helpless to stop Beattie following in like all good strikers and knocking the ball home.
At this point Thistle decided to go for broke Weir was denied by a combination of Skinner and Baker after cutting and perhaps should have shot earlier. McGee then brought another good save from a Morris rasper as the spaces started to appear with both sides committed to open football. Hughes was then moved up front with J Sutherland replacing Fairweather and Weir dropping back into a midfield role.
Weir then had another chance cutting in from the right he drew the defenders before driving low at the goal Gray got a hand to the ball and Baker retreating amidst huge cries for a penalty from the home contingent cleared the ball as far as Farmer who completed the job.
After 75 mins the contest was put further from the reach of Thistle a brilliant freekick from Bremner found the head of Morris who had outjumped Martin to power home his second of the evening.
The game still flowed at a good pace Bremner struck a firm freekick that McGee did well to hold onto. Substitute Davis had the final noteworthy opportunity after breaking free in the box he drove forward but Gray dived at his feet and deflected the ball away for a corner.
Another important 3 point for United in their quest to catch the Acks conditions not the greatest under foot but both sides tried their best to get the ball on the ground and knock it about. Bremner was a willing outlet for United and the back three were solid after a slightly nervy start. Morris and Mackenzie also played vital roles in getting the goals that put the game beyond Thistle who again showed that their young side are a force to be reckoned with, good movement up front and in the midfield coupled with a good competitive spirit.
M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, H Boyd (R Beattie 20),
M Baker, R Farmer, G Bremner, T Farquhar (Elder 85),
L Cassidy (Manson 80), K Morris, N Mackenzie
;D
Wick Thistle 0 V Pentland United 3 - By Michael Gray
For the second consecutive Monday United faced Thistle in Wick this time it was the return league fixture after the 1-1 draw in Dunnet earlier in the season torrential rain just prior to kick off left the playing surface being less that conducive to good football. United showed a couple of changes from the cup winning side Andy Mackay (holiday) and Ross Sutherland (calf) dropped out while Hamish Boyd and Graeme Elder returned to the fray.
United had an early scare when Baker knocked a through ball past Gray but the defender recovered to clear the ball to safety under pressure from Sutherland. Thistle held the upper hand in terms of possession for the first 10 minutes with United struggling to come to terms with the difficult underfoot conditions. Gradually United came more into the game and had a huge shout for a penalty turned away by referee Munro when a superb surging run from Bremner after good work from Farquhar was abruptly ended by Fairweather's tackle.
Morris then stung the hands of McGee with a powerful left foot drive after being played in down the left channel by Mackenzie, Henderson completed the clearance. Farquhar then missed a good chance from a Bremner corner when he only succeeded in flicking the ball over the bar when perhaps leaving the ball to Boyd who was better placed behind the midfielder.
Sutherland then had a chance for the home side on the angle but his shot flew past Gray's post with his team-mates screaming for a centre. United then suffered another serious injury blow Boyd set of on a bounding run up field before colliding with Martin in a nasty challenge, he tried to stay on but was replaced by Beattie before going to the hospital. McGee then pulled off an excellent save from Mackenzie when the midfielder let fly from the edge of the box he superbly got down to tip the ball round the post.
It then appeared to half the crowd that Mackenzie had opened the scoring with brilliant long range drive but the shot had in fact rebounded of the barrier behind the goal before rippling the back of the net. At the other end a Reid shot had Gray more than a little concerned when skipped back off the turf but he clutched the ball to his chest. A long Gray freekick then found the head of Morris who flicked on for Mackenzie he broke to the byeline before cutting back Hughes intercepted but only as far as Cassidy who let fly with a left foot volley, which again was brilliantly repelled by McGee. A superb three man move between Mackenzie, Morris and Cassidy then released Farquhar who had brilliantly timed his run from deep beyond his marker but he screwed his shot just wide under pressure from Hughes.
The opener finally came in the dying minutes of the first half, Skinner whipped in a freekick from the half-way line which Morris met and flicked on in the general direction of the goal Beattie reacted quickest but couldn't believe his luck when the ball cannoned back off the bar but his horror turned to delight when Morris met the rebound with his head to score.
Half-time 1-0 to PUFC
Thistle opened up strongly in the second half and a Weir shot was dealt with uncomfortably by Gray but he did recover to stop a corner being conceded. Cassidy then brilliantly turned his marker Henderson and cut in from the left but his shot whistled wide with McGee quite unconcerned in the goal. Beattie was having good joy down the right initially in subduing Steven but also making inroads into the Thistle defence and he earned a corner after beating Steven but Henderson recovered to clear. From Beattie's resulting flag kick Morris rose under pressure from Hughes but could only head over.
After 58 mins the advantage was doubled and it was largely down to the individual brilliance of Mackenzie, Farquhar found him in the left corner with two men around him but a drop of the shoulder and a flick of the ball later he was running along the byeline unopposed his cut back found Bremner whose first time shot has saved by McGee but the keeper was helpless to stop Beattie following in like all good strikers and knocking the ball home.
At this point Thistle decided to go for broke Weir was denied by a combination of Skinner and Baker after cutting and perhaps should have shot earlier. McGee then brought another good save from a Morris rasper as the spaces started to appear with both sides committed to open football. Hughes was then moved up front with J Sutherland replacing Fairweather and Weir dropping back into a midfield role.
Weir then had another chance cutting in from the right he drew the defenders before driving low at the goal Gray got a hand to the ball and Baker retreating amidst huge cries for a penalty from the home contingent cleared the ball as far as Farmer who completed the job.
After 75 mins the contest was put further from the reach of Thistle a brilliant freekick from Bremner found the head of Morris who had outjumped Martin to power home his second of the evening.
The game still flowed at a good pace Bremner struck a firm freekick that McGee did well to hold onto. Substitute Davis had the final noteworthy opportunity after breaking free in the box he drove forward but Gray dived at his feet and deflected the ball away for a corner.
Another important 3 point for United in their quest to catch the Acks conditions not the greatest under foot but both sides tried their best to get the ball on the ground and knock it about. Bremner was a willing outlet for United and the back three were solid after a slightly nervy start. Morris and Mackenzie also played vital roles in getting the goals that put the game beyond Thistle who again showed that their young side are a force to be reckoned with, good movement up front and in the midfield coupled with a good competitive spirit.
M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, H Boyd (R Beattie 20),
M Baker, R Farmer, G Bremner, T Farquhar (Elder 85),
L Cassidy (Manson 80), K Morris, N Mackenzie
;D