Post by Michael Gray on Aug 1, 2007 11:25:30 GMT
In one of the most explosive starts to a game I have ever witnessed United were two up within the first two minutes then conceded a goal before five minutes had been played before going on to record a marvellous victory. The crowd was still coming into the ground in Avoch when United made the breakthrough the Brian Gray long throw to Tony Farquhar which was to give the Stornoway defence a torrid time all day linked up in 45 seconds as the tall striker guided the ball passed MacIver before the keeper had even set himself. Within a minute it just got better as the United fans could scarcely believe their eyes when the same routine turned up trumps again with Farquhar rising high above the Stornoway defence to power home a second. However Stornoway have their own talisman in Scott MacIver and he struck back within 5 minutes to re-ignite the game a sweeping pass from Murray caused confusion between Mackay and Thain and as the two players left it to each other the big striker powerfully struck from 18 yards. The Stornoway defence just couldn’t cope with the aerial power of Farquhar and the Milton man was inches away from doubling the lead again rising high to powerfully header an Inrig corner marginally over the top. The powerfully running of MacIver and the sodden surface was giving the United backline a number of problems and he looked keen to level the game cutting in from the right and firing in a low shot that Gray tipped round the post for a corner, which United just about managed to clear after a few botched attempts. The big striker who was by far Ath’s most dangerous player had a glorious opportunity when John Skinner slipped on the surface allowing the MacIver right in on goal he went round Gray but the keeper pushed him far enough wide to dislodge his footing resulting in the ball only hitting the side net. United immediately launched a response Martin Bain brilliantly skipped away passed Macleod and Clinton before cutting inside and unleashing a super drive from 25 yards that arrowed into the corner passed the outstretched hand of MacIver. A large percentage of the United support thought they had extended the lead further when Bain did well down the left before clipping the ball into Budge who swept passed Macleod but his shot only rippled the side net. But the delay was only momentarily as Farquhar rose majestically to meet a Brian Gray freekick and loop another super header into the net. United were now rampant and only a quite brilliant save from MacIver down to his left from Grant Budge when he met a Brian Thain low centre. Just when United looked like cruising in with a 3 goal advantage Ath’s struck again out of the blue there didn’t seem to be much danger when MacIver picked the ball up on the right side of the park but he cut inside beating a couple of pretty poor challenges and bent a brilliant shot into the top corner to hand the Stornoway side a lifeline.
Half time
Stornoway 2-4 Pentland United
It was obvious Stornoway had gained some confidence from the goal just before half time and they attacked with real purpose from the kick off, Darren Stewart stung the gloves of Gray after striding forward and unleashing a shot from 30 yards. Stornoway then thought they had scored after a long throw was topped on by MacIver, Gray claimed the ball only to be bundled back across the line by Bray however referee Macdonald was quick to penalise the infringement. A quarter of an hour into the second half Ath’s were caught by the proverbial sucker punch a long freekick from Murray was half cleared to Stewart who was blocked by a tremendous tackle from Brian Gray the ball broke to Brian Thain who fed Grant Budge who set of on a scintillating run twisting and turning before passing the ball into the net to give United a 3 goal lead and the effect it had on the Island side was obvious although the effort was still there the belief had started to drain away. With 20 mins left Gray gave his defence a scare coming for a cross he was never going to get he was beaten to the ball by Stewart but unluckily for him the ball flew just over. Andrew Richardson who had enjoyed a very productive afternoon in the midfield and was keen to cap a excellent performance with a goal then let fly from 20 yards after Tony Farquhar had done the spadework. United struck again with 15 mins left this time Gray came and took a long throw and immediately launched the ball down the left to Budge who twisted and tormented Macleod before driving in a low cross cum shot that MacIver got a hand to but just couldn’t prevent from crossing the line to leave United with a 4 goal cushion they were never likely to lose. Credit to the Lewis side they still attempted to go forward but the belief just wasn’t there Campbell probably came closest in the latter stages but his freekick from 20 yards flew just over. As soon as the sixth goal went in manager Duncan Gray started to ring the changes firstly the excellent Michael Steven made way for Jocky Sutherland and the little striker nearly made an immediate impact when after linking with Budge he brought out a good save from MacIver. The final action of the game fittingly involved Farquhar who burst from deep into the box and side stepped Clinton only to be brought crashing to the ground but on this occasion referee Macdonald ruled in favour of the Ath’s.
Full time
Stornoway 2-6 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. J Skinner 4. B Gray 5. M Bain 6. M Steven (J Sutherland 78) 7. A Richardson 8. W Inrig (c) 9. T Farquhar 10. G Budge 11. B Thain (G Mackenzie 80)
Subs not used
R Sutherland
View from the goal
A simply fantastic display from start to finish the boys played really well in difficult conditions. On a few occasions this season we haven’t been good enough in front of goal that certainly couldn’t be said on this occasion. It was far from a walk over mind this was against a good side and if certain parts of the game had gone their way you just never know but our attacking play and finishing was top notch and the boys deserve all the praise in the world.
Half time
Stornoway 2-4 Pentland United
It was obvious Stornoway had gained some confidence from the goal just before half time and they attacked with real purpose from the kick off, Darren Stewart stung the gloves of Gray after striding forward and unleashing a shot from 30 yards. Stornoway then thought they had scored after a long throw was topped on by MacIver, Gray claimed the ball only to be bundled back across the line by Bray however referee Macdonald was quick to penalise the infringement. A quarter of an hour into the second half Ath’s were caught by the proverbial sucker punch a long freekick from Murray was half cleared to Stewart who was blocked by a tremendous tackle from Brian Gray the ball broke to Brian Thain who fed Grant Budge who set of on a scintillating run twisting and turning before passing the ball into the net to give United a 3 goal lead and the effect it had on the Island side was obvious although the effort was still there the belief had started to drain away. With 20 mins left Gray gave his defence a scare coming for a cross he was never going to get he was beaten to the ball by Stewart but unluckily for him the ball flew just over. Andrew Richardson who had enjoyed a very productive afternoon in the midfield and was keen to cap a excellent performance with a goal then let fly from 20 yards after Tony Farquhar had done the spadework. United struck again with 15 mins left this time Gray came and took a long throw and immediately launched the ball down the left to Budge who twisted and tormented Macleod before driving in a low cross cum shot that MacIver got a hand to but just couldn’t prevent from crossing the line to leave United with a 4 goal cushion they were never likely to lose. Credit to the Lewis side they still attempted to go forward but the belief just wasn’t there Campbell probably came closest in the latter stages but his freekick from 20 yards flew just over. As soon as the sixth goal went in manager Duncan Gray started to ring the changes firstly the excellent Michael Steven made way for Jocky Sutherland and the little striker nearly made an immediate impact when after linking with Budge he brought out a good save from MacIver. The final action of the game fittingly involved Farquhar who burst from deep into the box and side stepped Clinton only to be brought crashing to the ground but on this occasion referee Macdonald ruled in favour of the Ath’s.
Full time
Stornoway 2-6 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. J Skinner 4. B Gray 5. M Bain 6. M Steven (J Sutherland 78) 7. A Richardson 8. W Inrig (c) 9. T Farquhar 10. G Budge 11. B Thain (G Mackenzie 80)
Subs not used
R Sutherland
View from the goal
A simply fantastic display from start to finish the boys played really well in difficult conditions. On a few occasions this season we haven’t been good enough in front of goal that certainly couldn’t be said on this occasion. It was far from a walk over mind this was against a good side and if certain parts of the game had gone their way you just never know but our attacking play and finishing was top notch and the boys deserve all the praise in the world.