Post by Michael Gray on Feb 13, 2008 12:36:21 GMT
If the Monday night result put United’s title chances on the critical list this one terminated it’s existence as United slumped to another defeat at the hands of local rivals Castletown it could have been so different if any of the early chances had gone in but sometimes you get the feeling that destiny has already decided the fate of the title. The home side started purposely and made all of the early running Grant Budge produced a fantastic run down the right racing clear of Florence but his near post shot was well dealt with by Sinclair although perhaps a square pass to Farquhar may have been a better option. After quarter of an hour Farquhar managed to draw a foul out of Macdonald on the edge of the area from the set-piece Scott Begg managed to test Sinclair but again the keeper’s handling was assured. United’s best opportunity of the half came after 20 minutes Budge when Budge raced away from Florence down the right he drew the defence before crossing low to the far post to strike partner Farquhar but on the stretch he couldn’t direct goalwards. Mid way through the half United started to wonder whether the god’s had decided not to smile on them when a Begg corner caused a scramble Brian Gray hooked the ball back goalwards but could only watch as the ball crashed off the bar and the visitors reacted first to the loose ball. The home side though continued to plod down the field searching for the opening but they seemed to lack that vital spark but they couldn’t be faulted for effort Michael Steven was inches away from 25 yards with a typically powerful effort. United were then hit with the sucker punch Florence carried the ball out of defence unchallenged drawing sweeper Skinner he then slipped a super pass inside Mackay allowing dangerman Chris Sutherland to race clear and poke the ball passed the advancing Gray for the vital opener. United’s own dangerman Budge then whistled one passed the post after cutting in from the left he decided to shoot from 20 yards but the effort lacked the necessary accuracy. Just before the break United were denied what seemed a good claim for a penalty when Begg picked up on the right hand side of the box and drew the challenge from Henderson before knocking the ball passed the midfielder only to be upended however referee Arrowsmith saw things differently.
Half time
Pentland United 0-1 Castletown
The early stages of the half were pretty even with Castletown content to hit on the counter while United’s belief seemed to be ebbing away. In fact it could have gotten worse after 55 mins when tremendous skill from Sutherland saw him step away from a couple of challenges and flick the ball up however his volley to finish didn’t match the build up play and the ball ended up high over the bar. Mid-way through the half United suffered a major set-back when the excellent Michael Steven succumbed to a serious ankle injury which required the game to be stopped for several minutes giving the game an uncanny resemblance to a league decider a few years back with Wick Thistle. Chances though were at a premium as both teams battled away without making any real head-way Tony Farquhar probably came as close as anyone when he managed to glance a Brian Gray long throw goalwards but the header lacked power and Sinclair confidently held the ball. As the game headed into the last ten minutes Castletown struck again in the simplest of fashions Scott did brilliantly down the right getting to the bye line before standing up a cross to the far post where S Macdonald met the ball powerfully sending a header low passed the diving Gray and putting the visitors seemingly out of sight. However United showed tremendous character to roar back into the game within a minute when Begg did well on the right before slipping he ball to Budge who stepped inside Macdonald before lashing the ball low passed Sinclair. Skinner was then involved in an altercation with Macleod resulting in the sweeper receiving a yellow card from the set-piece Gavin Henderson warmed Gray’s gloves from fully 25 yards. In the dying stages Castletown had an amazing escape when a Farquhar shot was blocked in the air then Lee Sutherland lashed a shot at goal that bounced about the goalmouth unbelievably staying out allowing Sinclair to recover and smother the loose ball.
Full time
Pentland United 1-2 Castletown
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. J Skinner 4. B Gray 5. M Bain 6. M Steven (A Richardson 70) 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig (c) 9. T Farquhar 10. S Begg 11. G Budge
Subs not used
J Sutherland, G Mackenzie
View from the goal
Enormously disappointing once again the effort was there but perhaps lacked a little guile when it mattered. To come in 1 down when we had dominated proceedings was gutting but probably typical of our season but that is football. The league is now with Castletown and good luck to them they have been the most consistent team in the league and the table doesn’t lie so we will have to re-group for next year’s campaign when we will need to improve and win it back.
Half time
Pentland United 0-1 Castletown
The early stages of the half were pretty even with Castletown content to hit on the counter while United’s belief seemed to be ebbing away. In fact it could have gotten worse after 55 mins when tremendous skill from Sutherland saw him step away from a couple of challenges and flick the ball up however his volley to finish didn’t match the build up play and the ball ended up high over the bar. Mid-way through the half United suffered a major set-back when the excellent Michael Steven succumbed to a serious ankle injury which required the game to be stopped for several minutes giving the game an uncanny resemblance to a league decider a few years back with Wick Thistle. Chances though were at a premium as both teams battled away without making any real head-way Tony Farquhar probably came as close as anyone when he managed to glance a Brian Gray long throw goalwards but the header lacked power and Sinclair confidently held the ball. As the game headed into the last ten minutes Castletown struck again in the simplest of fashions Scott did brilliantly down the right getting to the bye line before standing up a cross to the far post where S Macdonald met the ball powerfully sending a header low passed the diving Gray and putting the visitors seemingly out of sight. However United showed tremendous character to roar back into the game within a minute when Begg did well on the right before slipping he ball to Budge who stepped inside Macdonald before lashing the ball low passed Sinclair. Skinner was then involved in an altercation with Macleod resulting in the sweeper receiving a yellow card from the set-piece Gavin Henderson warmed Gray’s gloves from fully 25 yards. In the dying stages Castletown had an amazing escape when a Farquhar shot was blocked in the air then Lee Sutherland lashed a shot at goal that bounced about the goalmouth unbelievably staying out allowing Sinclair to recover and smother the loose ball.
Full time
Pentland United 1-2 Castletown
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. J Skinner 4. B Gray 5. M Bain 6. M Steven (A Richardson 70) 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig (c) 9. T Farquhar 10. S Begg 11. G Budge
Subs not used
J Sutherland, G Mackenzie
View from the goal
Enormously disappointing once again the effort was there but perhaps lacked a little guile when it mattered. To come in 1 down when we had dominated proceedings was gutting but probably typical of our season but that is football. The league is now with Castletown and good luck to them they have been the most consistent team in the league and the table doesn’t lie so we will have to re-group for next year’s campaign when we will need to improve and win it back.