Post by Michael Gray on Jul 31, 2006 11:23:37 GMT
After two defeats on the bounce it was essential that United stopped the rot against a Swifts side still mathematically in danger of relegation as it turned out a first half where both sides had their spells on top it was a powerful second half performance from the Dunnet side that earned them the three points. The early signs were positive for United Cassidy and Nichol linking well and harassing the Swifts back line into mistakes, it was Nichol in fact who had the first effort on goal after receiving the ball in the right channel he cut across the box before firing in a shot with his left foot that was too straight and Begg held on comfortably. Former Swifts man Martyn Cook was the next to try his luck after 10 min when a Bremner corner fell to him 12 yards out on the volley but the big midfielder failed to get his shot on target. Since their return to the top flight Swifts have managed some very credible results non more impressive than the 5-1 defeat of champions Acks in the David Allan Shield so United were never going to have it their own way and Holmes tested Gray with a volley from 15 yards after he latched on to a bouncing ball in the box. The opener came after 17 mins when Gavin Bremner intercepted an attempted clearance from Macintosh the skipper then fed Cassidy who raced away before neatly finishing via the underside of Begg who had closed the angle on the striker. At this point United were definitely the dominant side Cook again went close after Cassidy laid the ball back to him 20 yards from goal but he screwed his shot just wide as the defence encroached on him. Fine combatitive midfield play from Lee Sutherland then saw him free Cassidy down the right the striker toyed with Macdonald before delivering a pin-point cross that Riddell did brilliantly to clear under pressure from Nichol at the near post. However as the half progressed towards the 25 minute mark United’s play started to become edgy no longer was the quality of possession or ball retention there allowing Swifts to roar back into the game, Foy was the first to try his luck from fully 25 yards he struck a sweet shot just wide of the post with Gray scrambling along his line. Then Holmes tried his luck again he managed to sneak in at the far post and get a shot on the angle from 16 yards but the ball was straight at Gray but given how parched the surface it wasn’t just as straight forward as it first seemed as the ball flew of the ground into the keeper’s grateful arms. Just before half-time Swifts again attacked with purpose through Macleod but the striker seemed to run out of ideas 20 yards from goal and eventually the retreating numbers forced him into laying the ball back and the chance was lost.
Half time
Swifts 0-1 Pentland Utd
United opened up with a real sense of purpose in the second period again seizing the initiative and forcing the town side on to the back foot great play from Cassidy saw him step away from 2 defenders in the box and just as the chance opened up for him he fired high over the bar. Only minutes later Brian Gray produced an outstanding long range pass that dropped beautifully into the path of Mark Nichol but the normally deadly marksman is still finding his range after 5 weeks out and his left foot effort went high over the bar but he was to reset his sights later in the game. The Swifts best effort of the half came from Foy again this time from a dead ball situation after Macleod had been upended on the edge of the box, the midfielder bent the ball over the wall, Gray scrambled across and got a fingertips to the ball diverting it on to the bar the ball came back into play but Gary Mackay mopped up the danger. United responded in kind with a shot of the woodwork themselves when another stirring run from Cassidy saw him break clear to the edge of the box before brilliantly bending the ball around Begg but unfortunately for him it crashed off the face of the bar and away from danger. The Dunnet men continued in the ascendancy forcing their town counterparts back at every opportunity Nichol again cam close after spinning marker Riddell on the edge of the box he cut back on to his right foot before stinging the hands of Begg. The second goal duly came with around 20 mins remaining Gary Mackay did brilliantly to thwart an attack in the right back area and feed Cook who swept the ball wide to Cassidy the Armadale man took a touch before sending Nichol on his way down the right the big striker took a touch before sending in a tempting cross for the inrushing Thain to nod passed Begg with a delightful touch to end a super move. If that goal had the Swifts wobbling Nichol flattened them only 5 minutes later Cook did superbly to break up the Swifts counter attack and thread the ball through for Nichol in the left hand channel of the box the striker this time found his range after stepping away from Riddell he bent a curling shot into the top corner to extinguish any lingering doubts on the result. Manager Duncan Gray didn’t waste any time freshening the team up after a tough 5 days Brian Thain made way for Derek Manson followed by Luke Cassidy being replaced by Barry Mackay and finally Ewen Boyd coming on for Bobby Thorburn in quick succession. The remainder of the game was played at more relaxed pace United still trying to catch the Swifts defence who had pushed up in the hope of getting a lifeline back into the game but it wasn’t to be.
Full time
Swifts 0-3 Pentland Utd
(Cassidy 17, Thain 69, Nichol 74)
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. B Thorburn (E Boyd 80) 4. B Gray 5. M Cook 6. G Bremner (c) 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig 9. M Nichol 10. L Cassidy (B Mackay 78) 11. B Thain (D Manson 75)
View from the goal
It was a strange game at times we opened up really well and dominated the first 20-15 minutes but only had the one goal to show for our efforts however a combination of our slack play and Swifts attitude saw them take the upper hand for the remainder of the half. Not sure if fatigue was an issue but we certainly got slack with our ball retention and movement. However all credit to the boys second half we were by far the better team little scare with the one of the bar but certainly on the balance of chances and possession we deserved our points. It was a good game though both teams played it the right way and it made for good entertainment. Two more points required to win the championship no easy games left but it is in our own hands.
Half time
Swifts 0-1 Pentland Utd
United opened up with a real sense of purpose in the second period again seizing the initiative and forcing the town side on to the back foot great play from Cassidy saw him step away from 2 defenders in the box and just as the chance opened up for him he fired high over the bar. Only minutes later Brian Gray produced an outstanding long range pass that dropped beautifully into the path of Mark Nichol but the normally deadly marksman is still finding his range after 5 weeks out and his left foot effort went high over the bar but he was to reset his sights later in the game. The Swifts best effort of the half came from Foy again this time from a dead ball situation after Macleod had been upended on the edge of the box, the midfielder bent the ball over the wall, Gray scrambled across and got a fingertips to the ball diverting it on to the bar the ball came back into play but Gary Mackay mopped up the danger. United responded in kind with a shot of the woodwork themselves when another stirring run from Cassidy saw him break clear to the edge of the box before brilliantly bending the ball around Begg but unfortunately for him it crashed off the face of the bar and away from danger. The Dunnet men continued in the ascendancy forcing their town counterparts back at every opportunity Nichol again cam close after spinning marker Riddell on the edge of the box he cut back on to his right foot before stinging the hands of Begg. The second goal duly came with around 20 mins remaining Gary Mackay did brilliantly to thwart an attack in the right back area and feed Cook who swept the ball wide to Cassidy the Armadale man took a touch before sending Nichol on his way down the right the big striker took a touch before sending in a tempting cross for the inrushing Thain to nod passed Begg with a delightful touch to end a super move. If that goal had the Swifts wobbling Nichol flattened them only 5 minutes later Cook did superbly to break up the Swifts counter attack and thread the ball through for Nichol in the left hand channel of the box the striker this time found his range after stepping away from Riddell he bent a curling shot into the top corner to extinguish any lingering doubts on the result. Manager Duncan Gray didn’t waste any time freshening the team up after a tough 5 days Brian Thain made way for Derek Manson followed by Luke Cassidy being replaced by Barry Mackay and finally Ewen Boyd coming on for Bobby Thorburn in quick succession. The remainder of the game was played at more relaxed pace United still trying to catch the Swifts defence who had pushed up in the hope of getting a lifeline back into the game but it wasn’t to be.
Full time
Swifts 0-3 Pentland Utd
(Cassidy 17, Thain 69, Nichol 74)
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. B Thorburn (E Boyd 80) 4. B Gray 5. M Cook 6. G Bremner (c) 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig 9. M Nichol 10. L Cassidy (B Mackay 78) 11. B Thain (D Manson 75)
View from the goal
It was a strange game at times we opened up really well and dominated the first 20-15 minutes but only had the one goal to show for our efforts however a combination of our slack play and Swifts attitude saw them take the upper hand for the remainder of the half. Not sure if fatigue was an issue but we certainly got slack with our ball retention and movement. However all credit to the boys second half we were by far the better team little scare with the one of the bar but certainly on the balance of chances and possession we deserved our points. It was a good game though both teams played it the right way and it made for good entertainment. Two more points required to win the championship no easy games left but it is in our own hands.