Post by Brian Mackay on Jul 13, 2003 12:31:47 GMT
CAFA League Division One - Wednesday 9th of July 2003
Wick Rovers 0 V Pentland United 7 - By Michael Gray
For the second time in a week United visited Wick this time to face Rovers the only 1st Division team they had not met in the season so far. Slightly contrasting conditions from the Monday night fixture with a warm sunny evening greeting the visitors to the Upper Bignold, from the 14 that faced Thistle, Boyd dropped out while Ross Sutherland and Andrew Calder stepped into the squad Tony Farquhar dropped to the bench as work commitments meant he wouldn't make kick-off.
United had the dream start within 3 minutes when a deep freekick into the Rovers area saw Morris knock the ball down and the inrushing Beattie nodded the ball over encroaching Mackenzie as the ball bounced up to push the visitors into an early lead with their first real opportunity.
Soon after great link-up between Morris and Cassidy gave Mackenzie the chance to run at goal he let fly from 20 yards but his namesake in the Rovers goal brought off a quality save touching the ball over. It was far from one way traffic though and More's combative spirit combined with Oralanda's good feetwork and aggression up front was causing United problems.
Cassidy then missed a chance at the far post after Morris's cross had eluded everybody but the young striker failed to react quick enough and his shot went wide. A deep Bremner corner then found Morris powering in at the back post but his header was somehow kept out by Mackenzie on the goal line and the ball fell behind for another corner. The visitors then had a major let-off when a brilliant turn from Oralanda gave him a glimpse of goal and he crashed a superb right foot shot past Gray only to see the ball cannon off the post and away to safety.
The next opportunity came when Ross Sutherland then created a half chance for Beattie when he controlling a half cleared corner and he lobbed a pass over the defence but the striker under severe pressure from Mackay couldn't get a shot away. Then a long punt from Gray saw Morris clean in on goal he beat Mackenzie to the ball but could only watch as his shot drifted wide of the left hand post.
A similar style attack saw Cassidy in the box on the bye line and he drifted the ball across goal that somehow eluded all the inrushing forwards and another chance went a begging. The homeside replied when More tried a snap shot from 20 yards after good work from Mackay down the left but the shot was off target and United re-grouped.
The visitors then made loud appeals for a penalty when Cassidy attempting to get on the end of a Beattie centre appeared to be impeded but referee Arrowsmith was having none of it. Another long Gray clearance saw Cassidy in the clear as he drove into the box he composed himself before picking out Morris for what appeared a tap into an empty goal but the ball bounced up and the big striker contrived to slip the ball past the post to every bodies astonishment.
Half-time 1-0 to PUFC
The half time interval saw United introduce Farquhar for Sutherland whose calf injury was restricting him somewhat so rather as a precautionary measure he was withdrawn. Morris had the first chance of the second period robbing Robertson just outside the box he burst through the defence but sliced his shot wide of goal as Mackenzie approached to close down the angle. Mackenzie then earned a foul on the left hand side Bremner swung the kick goalwards but Farquhar failed to get a touch on the ball and it drifted harmlessly into keeper Mackenzie's hands.
Running from deep Bremner then created a chance for Mackenzie sliping the ball through to him the wideman controlled the ball and ran on before slicing the ball wide of the net.
The second goal finally came when Gray picked up a throw from Mackenzie he beat his man superbly before shaping to shoot but showed great composure to pick out Farquhar in the box his initial shot was blocked away back to Gray on the edge of the box who again returned the ball to Farquhar who this time made no mistake sliding the ball underneath the helpless Mackenzie.
The game seemed to be turning United's way after long spells of huffing and puffing Farquhar linked up with Mackenzie who managed to get goal side of his marker only again to be denied by the diving Mackenzie. Then the five minute spell the changed the game completely firstly Sinclair crudely brought down Bremner who had broke well and was looking increasingly menacing and the sweeper was booked for his troubles from the setpiece the Rovers defence held firm as Morris could only head over under pressure.
Then the defining moment a lobbed pass over the defence saw Cassidy clean in on goal only to be bowled over by the retreating Sinclair giving referee Arrowsmith no alternative but to award a penalty and show the defender his marching orders. Bremner dispatched the penalty low into the left hand corner for number three.
With the less than 18 minutes to go United stepped up the pressure, Bremner crashed in a freekick from 25 yards which Mackenzie showed good hands to hold onto the ball under the watchful eyes of Farquhar. United then scored number four Morris did superbly down the left cutting back and crossing for the inrushing Cassidy with the aid of a deflection to bundle the ball past the helpless Mackenzie.
Three minutes later it was number five Mackenzie was again fouled on the left his deep cross found a towering Morris whose header found Gray who dispatched a left foot volley into the net.
With ten minutes left they further increased the lead Beattie brilliantly beat his man down the right cut in and found Cassidy who wasted no time in flicking the ball past Mackenzie from six yards.
With five minutes left number seven came and it was the pick of the bunch Bremner produced a wicked freekick that Farquhar rose unchallenged to bullet past Mackenzie to complete the scoring.
Even in injury time United had a chance to further rub salt in the Rovers wounds when Mackenzie went clean through and somehow scooped the ball over the gaping net with Mackenzie committed to the block.
An excellent result for United after a disjointed first half display when the Rovers had knocked them out of their stride after the perfect start, the finishing early on left a lot to be desired and the Rovers may even have drawn level given a little bit of luck though Oralanda. The turning point in the game no doubt was Sinclair's red card and United to their credit took full advantage in a workman like display rather than a vintage one there were no real outstanding performers but just a good unit display as the team stuck together and ground out the result.
For the Rovers well for 70 minutes they battled superbly and showed a great appetite for the game unlucky not to draw level but as the game wore on they were defending deeper and deeper. Sinclair who had played very well up until his sending off paid the ultimate price for a desperate lunge on Cassidy when the striker was clean through but still earned plaudits for a composed display, More and Oraland also showed up well, on the first 70 minutes display a good mid table position should easily be attainable
M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, M Baker, R Farmer,
G Bremner, R Beattie, R Sutherland (T Farquhar 45)
L Cassidy, K Morris, N Mackenzie.
Subs Not used - D Manson, G Elder and A Calder
Wick Rovers 0 V Pentland United 7 - By Michael Gray
For the second time in a week United visited Wick this time to face Rovers the only 1st Division team they had not met in the season so far. Slightly contrasting conditions from the Monday night fixture with a warm sunny evening greeting the visitors to the Upper Bignold, from the 14 that faced Thistle, Boyd dropped out while Ross Sutherland and Andrew Calder stepped into the squad Tony Farquhar dropped to the bench as work commitments meant he wouldn't make kick-off.
United had the dream start within 3 minutes when a deep freekick into the Rovers area saw Morris knock the ball down and the inrushing Beattie nodded the ball over encroaching Mackenzie as the ball bounced up to push the visitors into an early lead with their first real opportunity.
Soon after great link-up between Morris and Cassidy gave Mackenzie the chance to run at goal he let fly from 20 yards but his namesake in the Rovers goal brought off a quality save touching the ball over. It was far from one way traffic though and More's combative spirit combined with Oralanda's good feetwork and aggression up front was causing United problems.
Cassidy then missed a chance at the far post after Morris's cross had eluded everybody but the young striker failed to react quick enough and his shot went wide. A deep Bremner corner then found Morris powering in at the back post but his header was somehow kept out by Mackenzie on the goal line and the ball fell behind for another corner. The visitors then had a major let-off when a brilliant turn from Oralanda gave him a glimpse of goal and he crashed a superb right foot shot past Gray only to see the ball cannon off the post and away to safety.
The next opportunity came when Ross Sutherland then created a half chance for Beattie when he controlling a half cleared corner and he lobbed a pass over the defence but the striker under severe pressure from Mackay couldn't get a shot away. Then a long punt from Gray saw Morris clean in on goal he beat Mackenzie to the ball but could only watch as his shot drifted wide of the left hand post.
A similar style attack saw Cassidy in the box on the bye line and he drifted the ball across goal that somehow eluded all the inrushing forwards and another chance went a begging. The homeside replied when More tried a snap shot from 20 yards after good work from Mackay down the left but the shot was off target and United re-grouped.
The visitors then made loud appeals for a penalty when Cassidy attempting to get on the end of a Beattie centre appeared to be impeded but referee Arrowsmith was having none of it. Another long Gray clearance saw Cassidy in the clear as he drove into the box he composed himself before picking out Morris for what appeared a tap into an empty goal but the ball bounced up and the big striker contrived to slip the ball past the post to every bodies astonishment.
Half-time 1-0 to PUFC
The half time interval saw United introduce Farquhar for Sutherland whose calf injury was restricting him somewhat so rather as a precautionary measure he was withdrawn. Morris had the first chance of the second period robbing Robertson just outside the box he burst through the defence but sliced his shot wide of goal as Mackenzie approached to close down the angle. Mackenzie then earned a foul on the left hand side Bremner swung the kick goalwards but Farquhar failed to get a touch on the ball and it drifted harmlessly into keeper Mackenzie's hands.
Running from deep Bremner then created a chance for Mackenzie sliping the ball through to him the wideman controlled the ball and ran on before slicing the ball wide of the net.
The second goal finally came when Gray picked up a throw from Mackenzie he beat his man superbly before shaping to shoot but showed great composure to pick out Farquhar in the box his initial shot was blocked away back to Gray on the edge of the box who again returned the ball to Farquhar who this time made no mistake sliding the ball underneath the helpless Mackenzie.
The game seemed to be turning United's way after long spells of huffing and puffing Farquhar linked up with Mackenzie who managed to get goal side of his marker only again to be denied by the diving Mackenzie. Then the five minute spell the changed the game completely firstly Sinclair crudely brought down Bremner who had broke well and was looking increasingly menacing and the sweeper was booked for his troubles from the setpiece the Rovers defence held firm as Morris could only head over under pressure.
Then the defining moment a lobbed pass over the defence saw Cassidy clean in on goal only to be bowled over by the retreating Sinclair giving referee Arrowsmith no alternative but to award a penalty and show the defender his marching orders. Bremner dispatched the penalty low into the left hand corner for number three.
With the less than 18 minutes to go United stepped up the pressure, Bremner crashed in a freekick from 25 yards which Mackenzie showed good hands to hold onto the ball under the watchful eyes of Farquhar. United then scored number four Morris did superbly down the left cutting back and crossing for the inrushing Cassidy with the aid of a deflection to bundle the ball past the helpless Mackenzie.
Three minutes later it was number five Mackenzie was again fouled on the left his deep cross found a towering Morris whose header found Gray who dispatched a left foot volley into the net.
With ten minutes left they further increased the lead Beattie brilliantly beat his man down the right cut in and found Cassidy who wasted no time in flicking the ball past Mackenzie from six yards.
With five minutes left number seven came and it was the pick of the bunch Bremner produced a wicked freekick that Farquhar rose unchallenged to bullet past Mackenzie to complete the scoring.
Even in injury time United had a chance to further rub salt in the Rovers wounds when Mackenzie went clean through and somehow scooped the ball over the gaping net with Mackenzie committed to the block.
An excellent result for United after a disjointed first half display when the Rovers had knocked them out of their stride after the perfect start, the finishing early on left a lot to be desired and the Rovers may even have drawn level given a little bit of luck though Oralanda. The turning point in the game no doubt was Sinclair's red card and United to their credit took full advantage in a workman like display rather than a vintage one there were no real outstanding performers but just a good unit display as the team stuck together and ground out the result.
For the Rovers well for 70 minutes they battled superbly and showed a great appetite for the game unlucky not to draw level but as the game wore on they were defending deeper and deeper. Sinclair who had played very well up until his sending off paid the ultimate price for a desperate lunge on Cassidy when the striker was clean through but still earned plaudits for a composed display, More and Oraland also showed up well, on the first 70 minutes display a good mid table position should easily be attainable
M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, M Baker, R Farmer,
G Bremner, R Beattie, R Sutherland (T Farquhar 45)
L Cassidy, K Morris, N Mackenzie.
Subs Not used - D Manson, G Elder and A Calder
