Post by Brian Mackay on Jul 24, 2003 19:47:26 GMT
CAFA League Division One - Tuesday 22nd of July 2003
Pentland United 17 V Wick Rovers 1 - By Michael Gray
Another glorious evening in Dunnet saw United return to home league action for their first home league fixture since June 11th, Wick Rovers were the visitors still trying to stave off the possibility of relegation. Ross Sutherland and Graeme Elder missed out through injury however Andy Mackay and Jocky Sutherland returned to the fray for the penultimate home league fixture of the 2003 season, Russel Beattie dropped to the bench after struggling to make kick-off.
United opened with the clear intention of wiping any cob-webs still lingering from the weekend clean away Mackenzie's early venture down the left saw the Rovers defence struggling but Cassidy couldn't quite open the scoring.
The respite was brief however as when Mackenzie's throw into the box found Farquhar referee Makhouli adjudged Sinclair's challenge in the box illegal and pointed to the spot. Gavin Bremner stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way handing United the dream start in their attempt to close the gap at the top of the league between themselves and the Acks.
The Rovers keeper had to look smart moments later when Morris's head flick from a Gray clearance almost presented Cassidy with another opportunity. However the front two linked together minutes later to double the advantage Morris unselfishly playing in his strike partner to finish low past the advancing keeper.
Then a truly bizarre goal when the Rover's keeper appeared to have caught Mackenzie's centre before striding out of the 6 yard box he then collided with a team-mate resulting in the ball spilling to Mackay who tapped into the empty net.
The fourth goal came when Ryan Farmer who did extremely well to intercept the keeper's throw out and returned the ball immediately finding Farquhar in space and he wasted no time in firing home from close range.
The fifth goal was probably the pick of the first half goals, Bremner's corner was only cleared as far as the edge of the box finding Mackenzie who shimmied inside his man before stepping inside another man as he entered the box and slid the ball into the bottom corner.
The Rovers team were showing increasing signs of frustration this was epitomised by Mackay on the left when he left his boot in on Baker who had checked his run earning himself a caution and only five minutes later he received his second yellow card and then of course the inevitable red for foul and abusive language.
United stretched the lead further when Farquhar was felled in the centre of the park Bremner sent in a deep freekick, which was cleared by Robertson to edge of the box finding Mackay who wasted no time in dispatching the ball back past the encroaching defence.
Tony Farquhar was revelling in his role behind the strikers and he again produced a late run pouncing on a loose ball that bobbed around in the box to make it 7-0.
Luke Cassidy then doubled his own personal tally when he fired home from close range after Ryan Farmer knocked a deep Bremner cross back across the face of goal presenting the frontman with the simplest of opportunities.
Harry Oralanda then fired a warning shot across the bow of the United defence when he fired over from 10 yards after good work down the Rovers right allowed him a sight of goal. United responded however with another goal Mackenzie outstripped the defence down the left and squared the ball across goal, Cassidy flung himself at the ball but failed to connect but Farquhar showed his predatory instincts to knock the ball home and complete his hat-trick.
Half-time 9-0 to PUFC
Bizarrely enough Kevin Morris United's top scorer to date hadn't got on the scoresheet in the first half but he had to wait less than five minutes to set that record straight in a role reversal from Cassidy's first goal he picked up the strikers square ball composed himself and fired the ball home leaving the keeper no chance and push the score into double figures.
And the big man was heavily involved in the next goal he again picked up Cassidy's through ball advanced on goal before being scythed down rather unceremoniously by the outrushing keeper who had completely mis-timed his challenge. Gavin Bremner stepped up again to the spot to fire past the keeper and further increase the lead.
Luke Cassidy then completed the second hat-trick of the game when his first attempt was thwarted he managed to recover the loose ball in the box and rocketed the ball high past the keeper from 8 yards.
Russel Beattie then entered the game as United's first substitute replacing Baker who was still feeling the effects of the weekend exertions and took a well earned break, skipper Farmer adopted the sweeper role with Skinner assuming Baker's marking role. The midfield also saw re-organisation with Mackay adopting a more central role and Beattie going on to the wing with Farquhar moving deeper in the midfield beside Bremner.
Farquhar's and Cassidy's hat-tricks was followed shortly afterwards when Morris was again on the end of a heavy challenge on the edge of the box from Sinclair, Gavin Bremner stepped up to bend the ball round the wall and into the roof of the net via the keepers outstretched arms.
United introduced their final two substitutes with 20 minutes to go Cassidy and Mackay making way for Manson and J Sutherland.
The next goal came from Sutherland who had only entered the game moments earlier Beattie took off on a brilliant run through the heart of the Rovers defence and when he cut the ball back to Sutherland who had attacked the near post and stabbed the ball home for his first goal since the Rural league encounter vs. Castletown.
Then came the goal of the game and it was for the visitors some slack defending around the edge of the box saw Oralanda fire in tremendous shot from 25 yards, which Gray got finger tips to but couldn't keep out and allowing the Rovers one bright moment on a pretty bleak night.
This seemed to spur on United to score even more goals a Sinclair bye kick was met positively by Manson in the centre of the park and it allowed Morris to run into the box step inside his man before side footing the ball into the net.
They attacked again positively from the back this time Gray picking up on half-way showing clear urgency chipped a high ball into the area looking for Farquhar's late run into the box however he was beaten by Sinclair who could only watch in horror as the ball skidded of his head and into the corner of the net.
The final goal came another Bremner corner the ball was flicked on at the near post and an almighty scramble ensued finally resulting in Morris firing low into the net via the keeper's foot completing a sorry night for Rovers.
A massive boost to the United goal difference and an excellent response after returning from a hard weekend fixture in Skye however how much can be taken out the game is debateable and whether the result does Caithness football any good is dubious. Hopefully the Rovers can re-group and see out their final fixtures and retain their first division status after such a positive start to the season.
M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, M Baker (R Beattie 55),
R Farmer, G Bremner, T Farquhar, A Mackay(D Manson 70), L Cassidy (J Sutherland 70), K Morris, N Mackenzie
;D ;D ;D ;D
Pentland United 17 V Wick Rovers 1 - By Michael Gray
Another glorious evening in Dunnet saw United return to home league action for their first home league fixture since June 11th, Wick Rovers were the visitors still trying to stave off the possibility of relegation. Ross Sutherland and Graeme Elder missed out through injury however Andy Mackay and Jocky Sutherland returned to the fray for the penultimate home league fixture of the 2003 season, Russel Beattie dropped to the bench after struggling to make kick-off.
United opened with the clear intention of wiping any cob-webs still lingering from the weekend clean away Mackenzie's early venture down the left saw the Rovers defence struggling but Cassidy couldn't quite open the scoring.
The respite was brief however as when Mackenzie's throw into the box found Farquhar referee Makhouli adjudged Sinclair's challenge in the box illegal and pointed to the spot. Gavin Bremner stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way handing United the dream start in their attempt to close the gap at the top of the league between themselves and the Acks.
The Rovers keeper had to look smart moments later when Morris's head flick from a Gray clearance almost presented Cassidy with another opportunity. However the front two linked together minutes later to double the advantage Morris unselfishly playing in his strike partner to finish low past the advancing keeper.
Then a truly bizarre goal when the Rover's keeper appeared to have caught Mackenzie's centre before striding out of the 6 yard box he then collided with a team-mate resulting in the ball spilling to Mackay who tapped into the empty net.
The fourth goal came when Ryan Farmer who did extremely well to intercept the keeper's throw out and returned the ball immediately finding Farquhar in space and he wasted no time in firing home from close range.
The fifth goal was probably the pick of the first half goals, Bremner's corner was only cleared as far as the edge of the box finding Mackenzie who shimmied inside his man before stepping inside another man as he entered the box and slid the ball into the bottom corner.
The Rovers team were showing increasing signs of frustration this was epitomised by Mackay on the left when he left his boot in on Baker who had checked his run earning himself a caution and only five minutes later he received his second yellow card and then of course the inevitable red for foul and abusive language.
United stretched the lead further when Farquhar was felled in the centre of the park Bremner sent in a deep freekick, which was cleared by Robertson to edge of the box finding Mackay who wasted no time in dispatching the ball back past the encroaching defence.
Tony Farquhar was revelling in his role behind the strikers and he again produced a late run pouncing on a loose ball that bobbed around in the box to make it 7-0.
Luke Cassidy then doubled his own personal tally when he fired home from close range after Ryan Farmer knocked a deep Bremner cross back across the face of goal presenting the frontman with the simplest of opportunities.
Harry Oralanda then fired a warning shot across the bow of the United defence when he fired over from 10 yards after good work down the Rovers right allowed him a sight of goal. United responded however with another goal Mackenzie outstripped the defence down the left and squared the ball across goal, Cassidy flung himself at the ball but failed to connect but Farquhar showed his predatory instincts to knock the ball home and complete his hat-trick.
Half-time 9-0 to PUFC
Bizarrely enough Kevin Morris United's top scorer to date hadn't got on the scoresheet in the first half but he had to wait less than five minutes to set that record straight in a role reversal from Cassidy's first goal he picked up the strikers square ball composed himself and fired the ball home leaving the keeper no chance and push the score into double figures.
And the big man was heavily involved in the next goal he again picked up Cassidy's through ball advanced on goal before being scythed down rather unceremoniously by the outrushing keeper who had completely mis-timed his challenge. Gavin Bremner stepped up again to the spot to fire past the keeper and further increase the lead.
Luke Cassidy then completed the second hat-trick of the game when his first attempt was thwarted he managed to recover the loose ball in the box and rocketed the ball high past the keeper from 8 yards.
Russel Beattie then entered the game as United's first substitute replacing Baker who was still feeling the effects of the weekend exertions and took a well earned break, skipper Farmer adopted the sweeper role with Skinner assuming Baker's marking role. The midfield also saw re-organisation with Mackay adopting a more central role and Beattie going on to the wing with Farquhar moving deeper in the midfield beside Bremner.
Farquhar's and Cassidy's hat-tricks was followed shortly afterwards when Morris was again on the end of a heavy challenge on the edge of the box from Sinclair, Gavin Bremner stepped up to bend the ball round the wall and into the roof of the net via the keepers outstretched arms.
United introduced their final two substitutes with 20 minutes to go Cassidy and Mackay making way for Manson and J Sutherland.
The next goal came from Sutherland who had only entered the game moments earlier Beattie took off on a brilliant run through the heart of the Rovers defence and when he cut the ball back to Sutherland who had attacked the near post and stabbed the ball home for his first goal since the Rural league encounter vs. Castletown.
Then came the goal of the game and it was for the visitors some slack defending around the edge of the box saw Oralanda fire in tremendous shot from 25 yards, which Gray got finger tips to but couldn't keep out and allowing the Rovers one bright moment on a pretty bleak night.
This seemed to spur on United to score even more goals a Sinclair bye kick was met positively by Manson in the centre of the park and it allowed Morris to run into the box step inside his man before side footing the ball into the net.
They attacked again positively from the back this time Gray picking up on half-way showing clear urgency chipped a high ball into the area looking for Farquhar's late run into the box however he was beaten by Sinclair who could only watch in horror as the ball skidded of his head and into the corner of the net.
The final goal came another Bremner corner the ball was flicked on at the near post and an almighty scramble ensued finally resulting in Morris firing low into the net via the keeper's foot completing a sorry night for Rovers.
A massive boost to the United goal difference and an excellent response after returning from a hard weekend fixture in Skye however how much can be taken out the game is debateable and whether the result does Caithness football any good is dubious. Hopefully the Rovers can re-group and see out their final fixtures and retain their first division status after such a positive start to the season.
M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, M Baker (R Beattie 55),
R Farmer, G Bremner, T Farquhar, A Mackay(D Manson 70), L Cassidy (J Sutherland 70), K Morris, N Mackenzie
;D ;D ;D ;D