Post by Michael Gray on Aug 11, 2006 11:16:27 GMT
Wick was the final port of call for United before steaming for home on the rollercoaster trip, which has been the 2006 season. United knew that victory would seal a decent away campaign with the only blip a 2-1 reverse v Rovers other than that it has been straight victories. Once again the squad was stretched to the limit with United only able to strip 12 players but the spirit they have shown throughout the season was apparent as the claimed a 2-1 success against a strong Thistle side. United opened positively enough with the deadly Mark Nichol proving more than a handful in the early exchanges coupled with Grant Budge giving United a potent combination upfront. It was the Lybster based frontman that gave United an early lead after Derek Manson was fouled on the right Gavin Bremner swept in a teasing cross between keeper and defence allowing Budge to nod the ball passed Williamson. Thistle were stung with United on top at this point although the keen running combination of Farquhar and Traill down the Thistle left were providing Derek Manson with more than a little to think about. Young Gavin Sutherland always full of energy and desperate to open his United account was the next to try his luck after linking with Budge he cut in and drifted a shot just wide of the target. The home fans were up in arms after 15 mins when Sandy Sutherland went down under the challenge of Brian Gray but referee Wheatcroft right on the spot waved away the howls of protests. The dust had hardly settled from that incident went United doubled their advantage keeper Gray launched a booming kick over the Thistle defence who had held a high line allowing Nichol to race clear and deftly flick the ball over the advancing Williamson with his head. It was all United at this point with Budge and Nichol proving too much for the home defence as the United midfield picked their way through to find the dynamic duo. However it started to turn against United mid-way through the half when Inrig took a sore one on the knee from Gunn and had to be replaced by Mackay-Steven. Suddenly Thistle started to get a foothold in the game and pulled one back from Falconer just after the half hour mark good running down the left from Farquhar drew across Gary Mackay allowing the winger to slip a nice reverse pass into the tall striker who found the top corner via Gray’s glove. United had a great opportunity right at the back of the Thistle resurgence when Budge raced away and cut back to fire in a superb left foot shot that seemed destined for the top corner until a brilliant finger tip save from Williamson denied him his second of the night. Thistle maintained the upper hand through to the break although chances were at a premium and keeper Gray’s main task was to field high balls into the box.
Half time
Wick Thistle 1-2 Pentland Utd
Thistle were out the blocks quickly at the start of the second half and Traill had a good early chance racing clear at the angle cutting in from the left side he drove the ball in low and hard but Gray managed to get an outstretched leg in the way and the retreating Ross Sutherland completed the clearance. It was good entertainment though for the crowd as the game became stretched and flowed from end to end although perhaps Thistle held a slight advantage in terms of possession but there was no doubt that the front pairing of budge and Nichol were far more potent in addition the strong running of Mackay-Steven was also causing problems. Falconer tried to restore parity 10 minutes into the half picking up a pass from Richardson on the edge of the box he made a yard for himself before firing in a powerful shot that flew over the top. Gavin Bremner had the opportunity from 20 yards to regain the two goal advantage after Nichol had been upended but once again Williamson dealt with the powerful drive comfortably clutching the ball to his mid-drift. On the hour mark central defender Gunn made his way up the park and with strong encouragement from the sidelines decided to let fly from fully 30 yards but once again the shot was off target. A fine move from United with around twenty minutes left saw Scott Mackay-Steven burst from midfield before feeding Gavin Sutherland who accelerated away from the defence before whipping in a cross that crashed of the bar and bounced away from Nichol as the striker waited to finish the chance. After seeing a few chances go abegging Mackay-Steven took it upon himself to try and stretch the lead when the Thistle defence failed to deal with a Bremner corner and Brian Gray teed up the midfielder who struck the ball well enough but it flew wide off the post. Traill then had another opportunity in almost identical circumstances to the his chance at the start of the half when he again ghosted in at the far post but once again he only managed to find the foot of Gray the ball spun up but Sandy Sutherland couldn’t retrieve before the ball went for a corner. With ten minutes left Scott Mackay-Steven set off on a sensational run that left 4 defenders trailing in his wake but he couldn’t quite manage to cut the ball back for the waiting Nichol much to the strikers frustration. Scott Mackenzie entered the fray and immediately made an impression confident on the ball and showed good all round ability and certainly was lacking in confidence shooting from over 20 yards but once again the direction was lacking. The final chance of the game came when substitute McKiddie made good progress down the right before whipping in wicked cross in between defence and goalkeeper however the ball was just out of the reach of fellow substitute Henderson as United held on for all 3 points.
Full time
Wick Thistle 1-2 Pentland Utd
(Budge 7, Nichol 21)
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. R Sutherland 4. B Gray 5. G Sutherland 6. G Bremner (c) 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig (S Mackay-Steven 24) 9. M Nichol 10. G Budge 11. D Manson
View from the goal
A super game far from the usual meaningless games you can get at this stage of the season both sides played good football in a very even game. Delighted with the three points it was hard work but the guys dug in really well when they had to and took their early chances could have scored more in the second half but the final ball was a bit disappointing. All that remains now is the Rovers at home and the presentation of the trophy, I am sure the boys will be keen to put one over Rovers who have proved our bogey team this season for one reason or another.
Half time
Wick Thistle 1-2 Pentland Utd
Thistle were out the blocks quickly at the start of the second half and Traill had a good early chance racing clear at the angle cutting in from the left side he drove the ball in low and hard but Gray managed to get an outstretched leg in the way and the retreating Ross Sutherland completed the clearance. It was good entertainment though for the crowd as the game became stretched and flowed from end to end although perhaps Thistle held a slight advantage in terms of possession but there was no doubt that the front pairing of budge and Nichol were far more potent in addition the strong running of Mackay-Steven was also causing problems. Falconer tried to restore parity 10 minutes into the half picking up a pass from Richardson on the edge of the box he made a yard for himself before firing in a powerful shot that flew over the top. Gavin Bremner had the opportunity from 20 yards to regain the two goal advantage after Nichol had been upended but once again Williamson dealt with the powerful drive comfortably clutching the ball to his mid-drift. On the hour mark central defender Gunn made his way up the park and with strong encouragement from the sidelines decided to let fly from fully 30 yards but once again the shot was off target. A fine move from United with around twenty minutes left saw Scott Mackay-Steven burst from midfield before feeding Gavin Sutherland who accelerated away from the defence before whipping in a cross that crashed of the bar and bounced away from Nichol as the striker waited to finish the chance. After seeing a few chances go abegging Mackay-Steven took it upon himself to try and stretch the lead when the Thistle defence failed to deal with a Bremner corner and Brian Gray teed up the midfielder who struck the ball well enough but it flew wide off the post. Traill then had another opportunity in almost identical circumstances to the his chance at the start of the half when he again ghosted in at the far post but once again he only managed to find the foot of Gray the ball spun up but Sandy Sutherland couldn’t retrieve before the ball went for a corner. With ten minutes left Scott Mackay-Steven set off on a sensational run that left 4 defenders trailing in his wake but he couldn’t quite manage to cut the ball back for the waiting Nichol much to the strikers frustration. Scott Mackenzie entered the fray and immediately made an impression confident on the ball and showed good all round ability and certainly was lacking in confidence shooting from over 20 yards but once again the direction was lacking. The final chance of the game came when substitute McKiddie made good progress down the right before whipping in wicked cross in between defence and goalkeeper however the ball was just out of the reach of fellow substitute Henderson as United held on for all 3 points.
Full time
Wick Thistle 1-2 Pentland Utd
(Budge 7, Nichol 21)
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. R Sutherland 4. B Gray 5. G Sutherland 6. G Bremner (c) 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig (S Mackay-Steven 24) 9. M Nichol 10. G Budge 11. D Manson
View from the goal
A super game far from the usual meaningless games you can get at this stage of the season both sides played good football in a very even game. Delighted with the three points it was hard work but the guys dug in really well when they had to and took their early chances could have scored more in the second half but the final ball was a bit disappointing. All that remains now is the Rovers at home and the presentation of the trophy, I am sure the boys will be keen to put one over Rovers who have proved our bogey team this season for one reason or another.