Post by Michael Gray on Aug 15, 2006 11:05:42 GMT
Treacherous conditions greeted Rovers to Dunnet for the final game of United’s league campaign it had started low key with a scrappy 2-1 v Workshops and it was to end in with a similarly drab affair. United made a couple of changes adding Jocky Sutherland and Adam Sutherland to the squad with Willie Inrig dropping out after his knee injury on Monday night. Although the title was already in the bag United were keen to see off Rovers something they had failed to do in normal time all season and once again this match would end in frustration. Playing into the wind and down the slope in the first half United opened up pretty well knocking the ball out confidently and retaining possession well considering the weather. They had a great chance after 10 mins when a surging run from Grant Budge down the left saw him burst to the bye line before cutting the ball back for Lee Sutherland the midfielder steadied himself before firing in a shot that McGee did well to parry Nichol crashed the rebound of Davidson as Rovers somehow escaped. The visitors responded though with C Sinclair letting fly from fully 30 yards using the wind however he failed to find the necessary direction and Gray was happy to watch it passed the post. The weather continued to play havoc with the game as neither team could really settle into any rhythm with Rovers more often than not over hitting the ball and keeper Gray having to take an unusually high number of goal kicks. With 20 minutes gone Lyall forced Gray into a one handed save pushing the ball round the post as the striker hit the ball from the angle from the edge of the 18 yard box. United then passed up another glorious chance this time Budge firing wide after Nichol had carved out the chance in front of goal. The home side did have a scare minutes later when a Mackay corner blowing in the wind flew across goal forcing Brian Gray into a desperate clearance with manager Duncan Gray remonstrating with his keeper to come for the ball. To be honest that was the extent of the goalmouth action in torrid conditions I guess it was no surprise that the quality was very poor.
Half time
Pentland United 0-0 Wick Rovers
If United thought with the wind at their backs they would just have to turn up and the win would be theirs they were sadly mistaken. Whereas in the first period they knocked the ball around quite confidently the second period was poor far too many wasted passes saw United on the back foot in the early exchanges. Nichol did manage to get a shot in after 55 mins when he cut in from the right onto his left foot but McGee held it comfortably. Just after the hour mark Rovers struck a Mackay corner was only half cleared and C Sinclair latched on to the loose to fire in from 8 yards via the inside of the post. Scott Mackay-Steven tried to kick start the United performance with some impressive dribbling skills but all to often he was being crowded out but he did send Gavin Sutherland away with just over 20 minutes remaining the little winger outstripped the defence then sent in a decent cross but McGee again showed assured hands. Grant Budge also tried to pull United back into the match with another lumbering run down the left beating a couple of defenders but the Rovers defence were back in numbers to cut out his centre with Nichol waiting at the far post. Lee Lyall thought he had doubled the advantage after latching on to a Davidson pass down the right he cut in and bulleted a shot a goalwards which beat Gray’s hand but only found the side net. The equaliser came with just under 20 mins left skipper Gavin Bremner picked up the ball in the centre circle strode forward before unleashing a howitzer that flew passed McGee off the turf giving the keeper little or no chance to react. United continued to labour on but neither side was deserving of the win although a brilliant Budge run saw him outstrip the defence beating 3 men but as McGee closed the angle the Lybster based man’s delicate chip found the roof of the net but it was the wrong side of the bar.
Full time
Pentland United 1-1Wick Rovers
(Bremner 73)
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. R Sutherland 4. B Gray 5. G Sutherland 6. G Bremner (c) 7. L Sutherland 8. S Mackay-Steven 9. M Nichol 10. G Budge 11. D Manson
Subs not used
A Sutherland, J Sutherland
View from the goal
The game itself had very few positive points apart from Gavin’s goal don’t think either side were particularly keen in playing in such conditions and it just basically wasn’t fit for football of any description. Absolutely delighted though with the season’s efforts I know prior to the start of the campaign there was a sense of doom and gloom but the young boys who have come in coupled with the experience of the established have proved a winning combination. This league probably ranks as my most satisfying and I hope the young boys can build on the experience and re-establish PU as the team to beat in the County. It has been a very competitive season and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the supporters and followers of Pentland your support is greatly appreciated.
Lets do it all again next year!!!!!
Half time
Pentland United 0-0 Wick Rovers
If United thought with the wind at their backs they would just have to turn up and the win would be theirs they were sadly mistaken. Whereas in the first period they knocked the ball around quite confidently the second period was poor far too many wasted passes saw United on the back foot in the early exchanges. Nichol did manage to get a shot in after 55 mins when he cut in from the right onto his left foot but McGee held it comfortably. Just after the hour mark Rovers struck a Mackay corner was only half cleared and C Sinclair latched on to the loose to fire in from 8 yards via the inside of the post. Scott Mackay-Steven tried to kick start the United performance with some impressive dribbling skills but all to often he was being crowded out but he did send Gavin Sutherland away with just over 20 minutes remaining the little winger outstripped the defence then sent in a decent cross but McGee again showed assured hands. Grant Budge also tried to pull United back into the match with another lumbering run down the left beating a couple of defenders but the Rovers defence were back in numbers to cut out his centre with Nichol waiting at the far post. Lee Lyall thought he had doubled the advantage after latching on to a Davidson pass down the right he cut in and bulleted a shot a goalwards which beat Gray’s hand but only found the side net. The equaliser came with just under 20 mins left skipper Gavin Bremner picked up the ball in the centre circle strode forward before unleashing a howitzer that flew passed McGee off the turf giving the keeper little or no chance to react. United continued to labour on but neither side was deserving of the win although a brilliant Budge run saw him outstrip the defence beating 3 men but as McGee closed the angle the Lybster based man’s delicate chip found the roof of the net but it was the wrong side of the bar.
Full time
Pentland United 1-1Wick Rovers
(Bremner 73)
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. R Sutherland 4. B Gray 5. G Sutherland 6. G Bremner (c) 7. L Sutherland 8. S Mackay-Steven 9. M Nichol 10. G Budge 11. D Manson
Subs not used
A Sutherland, J Sutherland
View from the goal
The game itself had very few positive points apart from Gavin’s goal don’t think either side were particularly keen in playing in such conditions and it just basically wasn’t fit for football of any description. Absolutely delighted though with the season’s efforts I know prior to the start of the campaign there was a sense of doom and gloom but the young boys who have come in coupled with the experience of the established have proved a winning combination. This league probably ranks as my most satisfying and I hope the young boys can build on the experience and re-establish PU as the team to beat in the County. It has been a very competitive season and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the supporters and followers of Pentland your support is greatly appreciated.
Lets do it all again next year!!!!!