Post by Michael Gray on Jun 26, 2007 11:59:28 GMT
On a cold miserable Champions League Final night Swifts rolled into Dunnet for the re-arranged game v Pentland United. The visitors were quickest out the blocks dominating the early proceedings and they could have taken the lead within 5 minutes when a wicked Foy corner beat Gray all ends up but Steven rose superbly at the far post to head away before the ball crossed the goal line. The Swifts boasted several ex-Pentland United players and one such player Nigel Mackenzie cut in form his left hand side berth to fire over a wicked shot from 20 yards but he failed to get the required accuracy to beat Gray. The goal was only delayed by minutes however as after 20 mins the pressure finally told a long hopeful up and under from N Mackenzie picked out Nichol in the box the striker took a touch before finishing with great accuracy giving Gray no chance. United were reeling they had no shape or rhythm to their play and were in danger of being completely over run in the game, Graeme Reid had a good chance from another N Mackenzie set-piece picked out the centre half on the penalty spot but his deft flick was gathered on the goal-line by Gray. United’s first glimmer of goal in the game almost brought about the equaliser good play from Scott Mackay-Steven saw him create space for himself before setting up Tony Farquhar to hit a powerful drive goalwards, which was brilliantly touched on to the post by Allan. On the back of that opening a sense of belief suddenly started to appear in the home ranks Brain Gray rose to meet a Begg corner but his radar has been slightly off in recent weeks and his header flew wide. The tide had now turned United were holding the upperhand and only some resolute defending from Blair Macintosh saw him end a super Grant Budge run after the Lybster man had broken free of Reid’s initial challenge. The same player was denied minutes later when again he managed to out strip the defence down the right hand side and just when it seemed he would burst into the box and score, Lee Allan made a very good block at his feet. The keeper was again in the thick of it only minutes later when Scotty Mackay-Steven showed great feet work to step away from
Campbell before racing into the box but once again alert goalkeeping thwarted United. However the Canisbay men did finally draw level right on half time Cook’s pass-back put Allan trouble whose clearance looped up invitingly for Lee Sutherland to nod over the stranded keeper from the penalty spot.
Half time
Pentland United 1-1 Swifts
The weather hadn’t relented over the half time period as both teams re-entered the field of play. United started the brighter though forcing a couple of corners the second of which from Mackay-Steven found Brian Gray all alone on the byeline level with the six yard line the centre half volleyed the ball back across goal and just when you expected to see someone knock the ball in it flew straight passed the goal. Martin Bain has enjoyed a decent spell of form recently and he was again lively stepping away from Foy and linking with Farquhar before accepting the strikers return pass just inside the box and he wasted no time in flashing a powerful drive just wide of the goal. The Thurso side responded positively a high freekick from N Mackenzie saw the ball go loose after a clash between keeper Gray and Reid but fortunately for the home side the ball bounced kindly for Skinner who swept the ball upfield. The game was firmly in the melting pot with neither side really dominating proceedings and the game continued to flow from one end to the other as each side searched for another goal. Grant Budge again managed to isolate a defender one on one down the right hand side this time it was Macintosh who did extremely well to stand up to the striker who eventually ran out of space before shooting tamely at Allan. Swifts replaced Robertson with Holmes and the substitute with 20 mins left nearly made an impact instantly cutting in from the left he latched on to a Nichol lay-off before driving a shot at goal but it flew over. Referee Gunn was then called into action to rule on a challenge on Nichol from Brian Gray after super work from N Mackenzie when he got to the byeline before crossing in for the tall striker who only succeeded in nodding wide under pressure from Gray although he was adamant there had been foul play involved however Mr Gunn waved the claims and the game continued. With just over ten minutes left Scott Begg warmed the gloves of Allan with a wicked freekick from fully 25 yards and to the right of the area the young midfielder is yet to break his scoring duck but the Allan had to be alert to tip that one away. In an almost carbon copy of his earlier effort Bain was only inches from giving United the lead after weaving his way down the right hand side of the park he managed to out strip the defence but his shot didn’t quite match the quality of the run. With only minutes remaining Jamie Mackenzie received his second yellow card of the night after clashing with Steven in a clumsy challenge on the half-way line that left the young defender writhing in agony. With only seconds remaining on the clock United missed a great chance to snatch all 3 points when scintillating play down the right saw Bain beat Foy before delivering a pin point cross to Budge who from 4 yards couldn’t control his volley and the shot flew over.
Full time
Pentland United 1-1 Swifts
(L Sutherland 42)
1. M Gray 2. M Steven 3. J Skinner 4. B Gray 5. L Sutherland 6. S Mackay-Steven 7. S Begg 8. W Inrig (c) 9.T Farquhar 10. G Budge 11. M Bain
Subs not used
Richardson, G Mackay, Manson, G Mackenzie
View from the goal
Given the conditions and what was at stake a very entertaining game in my opinion no doubt that Swifts made the early running and were well worth their one goal advantage but slowly we came round and started to peg them back and equalised at a great time. Second half has pretty even but Granty’s chance at the end would have been the icing on the cake but it wasn’t to be, great character was shown throughout and we must build on this.
Campbell before racing into the box but once again alert goalkeeping thwarted United. However the Canisbay men did finally draw level right on half time Cook’s pass-back put Allan trouble whose clearance looped up invitingly for Lee Sutherland to nod over the stranded keeper from the penalty spot.
Half time
Pentland United 1-1 Swifts
The weather hadn’t relented over the half time period as both teams re-entered the field of play. United started the brighter though forcing a couple of corners the second of which from Mackay-Steven found Brian Gray all alone on the byeline level with the six yard line the centre half volleyed the ball back across goal and just when you expected to see someone knock the ball in it flew straight passed the goal. Martin Bain has enjoyed a decent spell of form recently and he was again lively stepping away from Foy and linking with Farquhar before accepting the strikers return pass just inside the box and he wasted no time in flashing a powerful drive just wide of the goal. The Thurso side responded positively a high freekick from N Mackenzie saw the ball go loose after a clash between keeper Gray and Reid but fortunately for the home side the ball bounced kindly for Skinner who swept the ball upfield. The game was firmly in the melting pot with neither side really dominating proceedings and the game continued to flow from one end to the other as each side searched for another goal. Grant Budge again managed to isolate a defender one on one down the right hand side this time it was Macintosh who did extremely well to stand up to the striker who eventually ran out of space before shooting tamely at Allan. Swifts replaced Robertson with Holmes and the substitute with 20 mins left nearly made an impact instantly cutting in from the left he latched on to a Nichol lay-off before driving a shot at goal but it flew over. Referee Gunn was then called into action to rule on a challenge on Nichol from Brian Gray after super work from N Mackenzie when he got to the byeline before crossing in for the tall striker who only succeeded in nodding wide under pressure from Gray although he was adamant there had been foul play involved however Mr Gunn waved the claims and the game continued. With just over ten minutes left Scott Begg warmed the gloves of Allan with a wicked freekick from fully 25 yards and to the right of the area the young midfielder is yet to break his scoring duck but the Allan had to be alert to tip that one away. In an almost carbon copy of his earlier effort Bain was only inches from giving United the lead after weaving his way down the right hand side of the park he managed to out strip the defence but his shot didn’t quite match the quality of the run. With only minutes remaining Jamie Mackenzie received his second yellow card of the night after clashing with Steven in a clumsy challenge on the half-way line that left the young defender writhing in agony. With only seconds remaining on the clock United missed a great chance to snatch all 3 points when scintillating play down the right saw Bain beat Foy before delivering a pin point cross to Budge who from 4 yards couldn’t control his volley and the shot flew over.
Full time
Pentland United 1-1 Swifts
(L Sutherland 42)
1. M Gray 2. M Steven 3. J Skinner 4. B Gray 5. L Sutherland 6. S Mackay-Steven 7. S Begg 8. W Inrig (c) 9.T Farquhar 10. G Budge 11. M Bain
Subs not used
Richardson, G Mackay, Manson, G Mackenzie
View from the goal
Given the conditions and what was at stake a very entertaining game in my opinion no doubt that Swifts made the early running and were well worth their one goal advantage but slowly we came round and started to peg them back and equalised at a great time. Second half has pretty even but Granty’s chance at the end would have been the icing on the cake but it wasn’t to be, great character was shown throughout and we must build on this.