Post by Michael Gray on Jun 26, 2007 12:08:05 GMT
United travelled to Ardesier for this HA Cup a place they had never visited before and after the performance they turned in won’t be keen to rush back. Right from the off it was apparent United were gong to struggle the tempo was slow and their passing poor as the Inverness side started brighter. A long kick from Michael Gray created the first opportunity for United it saw Tony Farquhar steal a march on his marker Cornish sparking a race between keeper Duncan and the centre forward, Farquhar seemed to win the challenge and as he attempted to recover the loose ball seemed to be impeded by the keeper but experienced official Robertson was having none of it. Andrew Richardson has come agonisingly close in recent occasions to opening his United account and he was inches away yet again when he met a Mackay-Steven corner at the far post but Colquhoun’s challenge was enough to put the tall midfielder off. The Dunnet side were creating the better chances but always wary especially down the right hand side of the threat of M Mackenzie who was producing a busy performance. Scott Mackay Steven was agonisingly close yet again when he latched on to a through ball from Richardson drew the keeper and flicked the ball past him but could only watch on in agony as the retreating Clark cleared off the line. M Mackenzie had been threatening although he was also getting involved in regular spats around the field but he did show his quality on the half hour mark racing down the right hand side of the park cutting in and firing in a near post drive that Gray held at full stretch. In recent games centre half Gray has seen a few chances slip away and yet again this was the case when another Mackay-Steven set-piece picked him out 12 yards from goal but the powerful header lacked accuracy and Duncan was never worried. The Inverness side though took a grip of the game in the final stages of the half as United’s belief seemed to wain in the heat. With just under ten minutes in the half R Mackenzie brought out a diving save from Gray on goal line when he powerfully met a Colquhoun corner before requiring treatment for a head knock. Then right on half time Gary Cornish was given the opportunity from 25 yards to test Gray after Skinner was adjudged to have fouled Morrison but his freekick was high and wide.
Half time
Mid Lairg 0-0 Pentland United
United did start the half with a greater sense of purpose but the quality was sadly lacking far to often a lack of composure killed decent opportunities. Mackay-Steven has had an excellent season so far and so often United have looked to him as a talisman but even he was struggling to find any rhythm which was summed up after ten minutes of the second period when he cut in beautifully off the left hand side of the park before badly dragging his shot wide of the left hand post. As with Andrew Richardson, Martin Bain has also struggled for goals since joining United although like Andrew his performances have merited reward his chance came after Mackay-Steven had made decent progress down the left before firing in a tempting cross that saw Cornish beat Farquhar to the ball but it fell kindly to Bain 16 yards from goal but he couldn’t keep his head over the ball and it flew over. United just weren’t getting a break in front of goal on numerous occasions they got into great positions but failed to beat the first man but once again perhaps that goes down to the lack of quality that was being shown in the performance. Sometimes you just get the feeling though lady luck isn’t smiling on you when Duncan dropped a Mackay-Steven cross it seemed certain the stretching Farquhar would prod home only for the ever alert Clark again to deny the Dunnet side on the goal line much to the dismay of their supporters and management alike. With twenty minutes left Mid Lairg had their biggest let off when Mackay-Steven again made great progress down the left before clipping the ball across goal Bain dummied the ball at the near post leaving Farquhar at the far post the ball bounced up awkwardly but the striker adjusted brilliantly to volley the ball across goal and as everyone waited to see the net bulge they couldn’t believe their eyes when it flew wide. The chances continued to come though this time Richardson made progress down the left and crossed superbly under pressure for the inrushing Lee Sutherland to plant a firm header right into the mid-driff of Duncan when either side of the keeper would surely have provided a goal. The busy M Mackenzie then had a great chance when Campbell burst down the left and fired across a fine ball Gray have cleared to the striker who slipped at the most unfortunate time when it appeared all he had to do was hit the target but the slip allowed Gray to block away the effort. This was to be the strikers last involvement as minutes later already booked he lunged at Gary Mackay without getting anywhere near the ball forcing referee Robertson back into his pocket this time to produce the red card. Just when it seemed United would have to settle for a draw they were hit with the proverbial sucker punch Colquhoun did brilliantly down the left before crossing Gray half cleared to the edge of the box where Macbean sent a dipping volley arching over keeper Gray to give the Inverness team a late winner devastating the United contingent who had made the long journey.
Full time
Mid Lairg 1-0 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. JW Skinner 4. B Gray (c) 5. L Sutherland 6. S Mackay-Steven 7. A Richardson 8. J Skinner 9.T Farquhar 10. R Sutherland 11. M Bain
Subs not used
Swanson, Manson, G Mackenzie
View from the goal
An unbelievably sickening result we never really got going but still did more than enough to win the game but our lack of composure in front of goal encouraged our opponents. To be hit by such a late sucker punch after putting so much into the game is gutting but we have to get the heads up there are other trophies to play for and there is no time for feeling sorry for ourselves.
Half time
Mid Lairg 0-0 Pentland United
United did start the half with a greater sense of purpose but the quality was sadly lacking far to often a lack of composure killed decent opportunities. Mackay-Steven has had an excellent season so far and so often United have looked to him as a talisman but even he was struggling to find any rhythm which was summed up after ten minutes of the second period when he cut in beautifully off the left hand side of the park before badly dragging his shot wide of the left hand post. As with Andrew Richardson, Martin Bain has also struggled for goals since joining United although like Andrew his performances have merited reward his chance came after Mackay-Steven had made decent progress down the left before firing in a tempting cross that saw Cornish beat Farquhar to the ball but it fell kindly to Bain 16 yards from goal but he couldn’t keep his head over the ball and it flew over. United just weren’t getting a break in front of goal on numerous occasions they got into great positions but failed to beat the first man but once again perhaps that goes down to the lack of quality that was being shown in the performance. Sometimes you just get the feeling though lady luck isn’t smiling on you when Duncan dropped a Mackay-Steven cross it seemed certain the stretching Farquhar would prod home only for the ever alert Clark again to deny the Dunnet side on the goal line much to the dismay of their supporters and management alike. With twenty minutes left Mid Lairg had their biggest let off when Mackay-Steven again made great progress down the left before clipping the ball across goal Bain dummied the ball at the near post leaving Farquhar at the far post the ball bounced up awkwardly but the striker adjusted brilliantly to volley the ball across goal and as everyone waited to see the net bulge they couldn’t believe their eyes when it flew wide. The chances continued to come though this time Richardson made progress down the left and crossed superbly under pressure for the inrushing Lee Sutherland to plant a firm header right into the mid-driff of Duncan when either side of the keeper would surely have provided a goal. The busy M Mackenzie then had a great chance when Campbell burst down the left and fired across a fine ball Gray have cleared to the striker who slipped at the most unfortunate time when it appeared all he had to do was hit the target but the slip allowed Gray to block away the effort. This was to be the strikers last involvement as minutes later already booked he lunged at Gary Mackay without getting anywhere near the ball forcing referee Robertson back into his pocket this time to produce the red card. Just when it seemed United would have to settle for a draw they were hit with the proverbial sucker punch Colquhoun did brilliantly down the left before crossing Gray half cleared to the edge of the box where Macbean sent a dipping volley arching over keeper Gray to give the Inverness team a late winner devastating the United contingent who had made the long journey.
Full time
Mid Lairg 1-0 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. JW Skinner 4. B Gray (c) 5. L Sutherland 6. S Mackay-Steven 7. A Richardson 8. J Skinner 9.T Farquhar 10. R Sutherland 11. M Bain
Subs not used
Swanson, Manson, G Mackenzie
View from the goal
An unbelievably sickening result we never really got going but still did more than enough to win the game but our lack of composure in front of goal encouraged our opponents. To be hit by such a late sucker punch after putting so much into the game is gutting but we have to get the heads up there are other trophies to play for and there is no time for feeling sorry for ourselves.