Post by Michael Gray on Jul 24, 2007 11:17:17 GMT
The two sides arrived at Dunnet after contrasting results at the weekend Thistle with a tremendous victory over Castletown unbeaten domestically so far this season whereas United slumped to a disappointing defeat to Mid Lairg although the result was now in doubt given an appeal of player eligibility. Lee Sutherland was a late call off for the Canisbay men with a stomach bug leaving the door open for Derek Manson to make his first start of the season. Michael Steven was the architect of the first real opportunity of the game powerfully winning a header on half-way which sent Tony Farquhar in to the clear his first time effort whistled past the post with Williamson stranded. The same player was thwarted again after ten minutes when he was slipped into the right hand channel by Inrig however his shot was superbly tipped away by keeper Williamson whose reputation is being enhanced weekly. Farquhar was left shaking his head in frustration again minutes later when he rose unchallenged to meet a Begg freekick but couldn’t believe his luck when the ball cannoned off the post and with no United player at hand Gunn swept the ball away. The visitors suffered a huge blow just after 15 mins when influential defender Jamie Sutherland pulled up with a leg injury and had to leave the field in obvious discomfort. The breakthrough finally came just after 20 mins Richardson set Manson off on the counter attack down the right and he wasted no time switching play to find Bain bursting clear he chested the ball inside his marker Stewart before lashing a right footed shot past the helpless Williamson. The crowd had barely caught its breath when United doubled their advantage Gray set Bain running down the left where he forced Stewart into conceding the throw-in, the central defender trotted down the line to launch one of his trademark bombs into the area all the players rose at the near post but the unfortunate Denoon could only flick the ball goalwards leaving Williamson no chance to react. Thistle responded positively and on the half hour mark had their first attack of note Traill made good ground the left before sweeping in a teasing cross that Cannop met powerfully but he couldn’t quite find the direction and the ball went wide. The fullback attacked well again minutes later linking with Farquhar before driving in a low cross that Gray took at full stretch. Five minutes before the break United had a glorious chance to stretch their advantage when a deep Begg freekick was nodded into space sparking a race between keeper Williamson and Richardson the tall midfielder got their first only to be clobbered by the keeper leaving referee Arrowsmith no option but to award the spotkick their then sparked a huge delay as the referee sent Thistle manager Colin Cormack to the dressing room for abusing the official over the award, the delay must have affected Inrig as his weak penalty was easily dealt with by Williamson who atoned for his earlier error. Thistle had the final opportunity of the half when Cannop again rose highest to meet a Morrison cross this time but keeper Gray smothered the ball on his goal line.
Half time
Pentland United 2-0 Wick Thistle
United again started with purpose and it took a great last ditch tackle from Gunn to deny Manson a clear run in on goal after Gary Mackay had slipped a superb through ball in front of the striker. Tony Farquhar was again denied by Williamson this time after excellent work from Bain cutting in from the left and slipping the ball in front of the striker who opted to take the chance early but the keeper was equal to it. Andrew Richardson has suffered a frustrating time in front of goal especially after a prolific winter in the 7’s but he passed up another great opportunity after a superb run and cross from Gary Mackay which presented him with a volley from 6 yards but the midfielder who had timed his run to perfection couldn’t control the shot and it flew over. However Thistle started to get on top as United started to drop the pace and their Wick counterparts started to show the attitude that must have taken them through on the Saturday and started to push their hosts back and came within the width of the post of pulling one back when Farquhar did brilliantly down the left drawing defenders out he crossed for the Cannop at the far post who controlled the ball well before driving in a shot but he never quite got a grip of it and was left frustrated as it clipped the post and out for a goal kick. United seemed to be content to hit on the counter Bain set of on another trademark run before laying the ball into the path of Manson but the ball would sit up properly allowing Flett to make the last ditch tackle. Although having a superior possession count Thistle were struggling to create chances whereas United although pushed back were able to counter effectively and Andrew Richardson had another great chance timing his run brilliantly he burst through from half-way only to take a heavy touch at the crucial minute allowing Williamson to gather at the edge of his area. Jocky Sutherland back in the squad after a spell away from the game came on then to replace the tiring Manson and he almost broke through again and it took a superb last ditch tackle from Gunn to stop the little striker in his tracks as he looked to nip away. Martin Bain throughout was a huge influence and was arguably turning in his best performance to date in a PU shirt and he showed great feet to control a Begg switch step inside Stewart before lashing a shot right across the goal with Williamson beaten. The game started and ended with a succession of chances for Farquhar who must have been wondering what he had to do to score Bain again was the architect racing clear into the box before slipping the ball into the big striker who hit the ball sweetly from 16 yards beating Williamson but not Flett on the line.
Full time
Pentland United 2-0 Wick Thistle
(M Bain 21, O.G 23)
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay (G Mackenzie 82) 3. J Skinner 4. B Gray 5. M Steven 6. A Richardson 7. S Begg 8. W Inrig (c) 9.T Farquhar 10. D Manson (J Sutherland 75) 11. M Bain
Subs not used
Swanson
View from the goal
A tremendous response to the poor performance on Saturday an awful lot of positives to take out the game not least the attitude from the squad who got down worked hard and played good football especially in the early stages of each half. The work ethic must continue into another crunch match on Thursday v Rovers in Wick another team full of good players but just not getting the results.
Half time
Pentland United 2-0 Wick Thistle
United again started with purpose and it took a great last ditch tackle from Gunn to deny Manson a clear run in on goal after Gary Mackay had slipped a superb through ball in front of the striker. Tony Farquhar was again denied by Williamson this time after excellent work from Bain cutting in from the left and slipping the ball in front of the striker who opted to take the chance early but the keeper was equal to it. Andrew Richardson has suffered a frustrating time in front of goal especially after a prolific winter in the 7’s but he passed up another great opportunity after a superb run and cross from Gary Mackay which presented him with a volley from 6 yards but the midfielder who had timed his run to perfection couldn’t control the shot and it flew over. However Thistle started to get on top as United started to drop the pace and their Wick counterparts started to show the attitude that must have taken them through on the Saturday and started to push their hosts back and came within the width of the post of pulling one back when Farquhar did brilliantly down the left drawing defenders out he crossed for the Cannop at the far post who controlled the ball well before driving in a shot but he never quite got a grip of it and was left frustrated as it clipped the post and out for a goal kick. United seemed to be content to hit on the counter Bain set of on another trademark run before laying the ball into the path of Manson but the ball would sit up properly allowing Flett to make the last ditch tackle. Although having a superior possession count Thistle were struggling to create chances whereas United although pushed back were able to counter effectively and Andrew Richardson had another great chance timing his run brilliantly he burst through from half-way only to take a heavy touch at the crucial minute allowing Williamson to gather at the edge of his area. Jocky Sutherland back in the squad after a spell away from the game came on then to replace the tiring Manson and he almost broke through again and it took a superb last ditch tackle from Gunn to stop the little striker in his tracks as he looked to nip away. Martin Bain throughout was a huge influence and was arguably turning in his best performance to date in a PU shirt and he showed great feet to control a Begg switch step inside Stewart before lashing a shot right across the goal with Williamson beaten. The game started and ended with a succession of chances for Farquhar who must have been wondering what he had to do to score Bain again was the architect racing clear into the box before slipping the ball into the big striker who hit the ball sweetly from 16 yards beating Williamson but not Flett on the line.
Full time
Pentland United 2-0 Wick Thistle
(M Bain 21, O.G 23)
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay (G Mackenzie 82) 3. J Skinner 4. B Gray 5. M Steven 6. A Richardson 7. S Begg 8. W Inrig (c) 9.T Farquhar 10. D Manson (J Sutherland 75) 11. M Bain
Subs not used
Swanson
View from the goal
A tremendous response to the poor performance on Saturday an awful lot of positives to take out the game not least the attitude from the squad who got down worked hard and played good football especially in the early stages of each half. The work ethic must continue into another crunch match on Thursday v Rovers in Wick another team full of good players but just not getting the results.