Post by Michael Gray on Apr 30, 2007 11:32:38 GMT
United were dealt a serious blow on the Monday prior to the game when Jimmy Budge was involved in a car crash in which he fractured his shoulder blade putting him out for a minimum of 6 weeks a real shame on a young lad who has already battled back from one serious injury and everyone at the club wishes him well. With two games approaching in quick succession manager Duncan Gray re-jigged his formation and selection with Scott Mackay-Steven and Andrew Richardson earning starting berths with Jimmy Budge missing out and Gary Mackay dropping to the bench joining Gordon Mackenzie and Brian Thain. United started in whirlwind fashion playing up the slope they bombarded the Acks defence early on and Brian Mackay had to look lively to tip away a long range freekick from Gavin Bremner. The opener came after only three minutes, Scott Mackay-Steven was grounded 30 yards from goal and Gavin Bremner swept in a high ball that everyone missed distracting keeper Mackay who could only watch as the ball sailed in. Less than two minutes later the lead was doubled Ross Sutherland strode forward before feeding Andrew Richardson who sweetly turned his marker before feeding Grant Budge down the right the frontman outstripped the defence before squaring for Scott Mackay-Steven to finish off a slick move. United started to lull at this point and their opponents seemed to take heart from the fact United weren’t willing to press home the excellent platform they gave themselves. The Thurso side are going through a transitional stage at the moment but the effort right through the team was impressive young Miler upfront ran his socks off giving the United something to think about every now and then. However United had lost focus although every now and then they would create a guilt edged chance Scott Mackay-Steven was playing like a man full of confidence after an excellent end to the Highland League season he was brushing past players but just failing to find the killer touch. On the half hour mark Gavin Bremner again warmed the gloves of Mackay from fully 30 yards the keeper taking no chances pushing over the bar. The visitor’s best opportunity came 10 minutes before the end of the half when Miller side stepped a Steven tackle but his shot lacked power and Gray plucked the ball out of the air. Martin Bain then missed an excellent chance when Mackay-Steven slipped away from Carle and played a one two with Budge before rolling the ball into the path of the winger who hooked the shot just wide as Mackay attempted to close the angle. Lee Sutherland burst brilliantly from midfield into the area receiving the lay-off from Andrew Richardson the midfield man looked to bend the ball into the top right corner but he just couldn’t get over the ball properly and it drifted over. The final real effort was a 35 yarder from Willie Inrig who stepped on to a short freekick from Mackay-Steven before letting fly but Mackay never seemed to be concerned as the ball flew wide.
Half time
Pentland United 2-0 Acks
After a beautiful day the half-time break marked a break in the weather as the wind picked up considerably good for the local surfers trying to catch a wave not so good for football I reckon I could have been a great surfer with my wonderful sense of balance. Anyway back to the dry land sport. United took about 10 minutes to really threaten again Ross Sutherland at the back post powering a header back across goal but the ever-green Warner cleared from inside the 6 yard box. Lee Sutherland repeated his first half act strong in the tackle he beat his namesake Allan then strode forward and linked with Budge but again the effort wasn’t convincing Richardson retrieved the ball but he also couldn’t find the killer ball. Acks were continuing to battle hard but making very few real chances of note. Mackay then pulled of the save of the match diving high to his right to claw away a goal bound Budge effort after Mackay-Steven had done the leg-work down the left. The game was finally settled just after the hour mark Mackay-Steven found Willie Inrig making a run towards the left corner flag the midfielder picked up the ball feinted one way then delivered a teasing right foot cross with pin-point accuracy allowing Grant Budge to crash home a header via the underside of the bar. The goalscorer set off on another of his mazy runs from the half-way line cutting in from the left he stepped away from 3 players before Steven Bain stopped him in his tracks with a blatant body checked earning him a booking. The pace of the game dropped again possibly as both teams rather seemed to accept the result and only in brief flurries did either team look to threaten. The Acks actually finished on top aided by some slack play in the United backline Brian giving brother a passback out of the Jorg Albertz text book luckily the nimble feeted keeper managed to turn the ball away for a corner
Full time
Pentland United 3-0 Acks
(G Bremner 2, S Mackay-Steven 5, G Budge 65)
1. M Gray 2. M Bain (B Thain 74) 3. R Sutherland 4. B Gray 5. M Steven (G Mackay 69) 6. G Bremner (c) 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig (G Mackenzie 80) 9. A Richardson 72 10. G Budge 11. S Mackay-Steven
View from the goal
Great start then the performance dipped credit to Acks they have undergone a lot of upheaval this season but still showed great appetite and effort throughout. We need to add consistency to our performances but the flashes were there and I think there is evidence for real optimism the squad is a good age and of good quality but there are a few other teams in the league who are in the same boat and will also fancy their chances.
Half time
Pentland United 2-0 Acks
After a beautiful day the half-time break marked a break in the weather as the wind picked up considerably good for the local surfers trying to catch a wave not so good for football I reckon I could have been a great surfer with my wonderful sense of balance. Anyway back to the dry land sport. United took about 10 minutes to really threaten again Ross Sutherland at the back post powering a header back across goal but the ever-green Warner cleared from inside the 6 yard box. Lee Sutherland repeated his first half act strong in the tackle he beat his namesake Allan then strode forward and linked with Budge but again the effort wasn’t convincing Richardson retrieved the ball but he also couldn’t find the killer ball. Acks were continuing to battle hard but making very few real chances of note. Mackay then pulled of the save of the match diving high to his right to claw away a goal bound Budge effort after Mackay-Steven had done the leg-work down the left. The game was finally settled just after the hour mark Mackay-Steven found Willie Inrig making a run towards the left corner flag the midfielder picked up the ball feinted one way then delivered a teasing right foot cross with pin-point accuracy allowing Grant Budge to crash home a header via the underside of the bar. The goalscorer set off on another of his mazy runs from the half-way line cutting in from the left he stepped away from 3 players before Steven Bain stopped him in his tracks with a blatant body checked earning him a booking. The pace of the game dropped again possibly as both teams rather seemed to accept the result and only in brief flurries did either team look to threaten. The Acks actually finished on top aided by some slack play in the United backline Brian giving brother a passback out of the Jorg Albertz text book luckily the nimble feeted keeper managed to turn the ball away for a corner
Full time
Pentland United 3-0 Acks
(G Bremner 2, S Mackay-Steven 5, G Budge 65)
1. M Gray 2. M Bain (B Thain 74) 3. R Sutherland 4. B Gray 5. M Steven (G Mackay 69) 6. G Bremner (c) 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig (G Mackenzie 80) 9. A Richardson 72 10. G Budge 11. S Mackay-Steven
View from the goal
Great start then the performance dipped credit to Acks they have undergone a lot of upheaval this season but still showed great appetite and effort throughout. We need to add consistency to our performances but the flashes were there and I think there is evidence for real optimism the squad is a good age and of good quality but there are a few other teams in the league who are in the same boat and will also fancy their chances.