Post by Brian Mackay on Aug 3, 2003 17:04:22 GMT
CAFA League Division One - Wednesday 30th of July 2003
Castletown 0 V Pentland United 2 - By Michael Gray ;D
Another brilliant summer's night greeted United across the bay for their penultimate away league fixture of the 2003 calendar as per usual the surface in Castletown was superb certainly the best in the county. Martin Baker failed to recover from a rib injury and he was replaced by Ross Sutherland while Andy Mackay was replaced by Russel Beattie, Hamish Boyd and Graeme Elder claimed spots on the bench with Derek Manson away on holiday.
Donald Allan turned out for Castletown and many of the large crowd must have been wondering if they were caught in a time warp watching the big centre half doing battle with old foe Kevin Morris once again. The game was never going to be one for the faint hearted but then very rarely do you find a Canisbay/Castletown confrontation any other way.
Ross Sutherland and Willie Steven would so often optimise what the fixture is all about with some crunching tackles in the midfield with no quarter being asked for or given. In the early stages chances were few and far between Bremner struck a long range powerful drive wide with Begg never really concerned. United did manage a consistent spell of corners although Donald Allan showed all his experience to hold of Morris on more than one occasion.
However they did manage to take the lead from a set-piece a Mackenzie free kick from the left was only partially cleared as far as Bremner at the edge of the box and he produced a delicate lob at goal that had Begg scrambling to keep out but he could do nothing as Farquhar seized on the rebound to fire United into the lead. This settled United visibly and Mackenzie started to exert himself on the game although to his credit Alan Farquhar stuck to his task admirably.
Another set-piece this time a corner saw Bremner take it short before launching a dangerous inswinging corner, which had the Castletown defence struggling but Farquhar just got a little too much on the header and took the pace off the ball enough for Begg to re-position and clutch the ball.
Beattie was also becoming more influential on the right and twice in the space of five minutes he managed to turn his man and wriggle clear on the right the latter of these turns produced the second goal of the night this time he drew the defence and played in Farquhar who had lost his man and he crossed for Morris to take a touch round his marker before firing an unstoppable shot past Begg.
This marked a purple spell for United in terms of attacking play firstly Mackenzie played the ball in to Cassidy's feet he produced an exquisite turn before rifling in a good low shot that brought a top drawer save from Begg at his near post.
The same pair of players linked again on the left hand side of the box this time Cassidy aided by Moodie's slip rolled the ball into Mackenzie's path but the wideman's finish was just too high.
In between this action Steven got on the end of a Begg freekick but just couldn't direct the header goalwards under pressure from Sutherland. Then Dunnett struck a good long range shot that narrowly missed the top corner from 25 yards and showed he was in the mood to try his luck from any distance. The game was delayed slightly before half-time when Gray suffered a gash above his left eye after an accidental clash with Begg under a high ball.
Half -time 2-0 to PUFC
Right from the start it was plainly obvious that Castletown were going to go for United however this left more room for United to exploit in the wide areas. Morris also showed his intention although his shot was a little straight it never lacked power and Begg again showed safe hands to clutch the ball to his chest.
Dunnett was having a solid game at the back and he cut out a dangerous ball from Mackenzie with Morris lurking in behind awaiting any mistakes. The game really ebbed and flowed with both sides working really hard for possession and attacking at every opportunity providing good entertainment for the big crowd.
United then claimed in vain for a penalty when a clumsy challenge from Allan sent Morris sprawling under Beattie's high ball but referee Wheatcroft was having none of it. Mackenzie then created a really good chance for Cassidy cutting in along the bye line he squared the ball for striker but his first time effort was brilliantly saved by Begg with Moodie completing the clearance.
S Mackenzie entered the book for a rash challenge on Beattie after the wideman had knocked the ball round him and was looking to attack the area. Only minutes later Castletown had an amazing let off a deep cross bounced up beyond the far post and Gray sent a brilliant header back across goal begging to be netted but R Sutherland at full stretch couldn't quite direct the ball goalwards much to the delight of the home crowd who taunted their former hero.
Gray was the creator only moments later a short throw routine with Farquhar saw the centre half swing in a teasing cross but Cassidy failed to get any real contact on the ball and Begg gathered comfortably.
Dunnet went close again from a set piece with another superb effort from 25 yards after Skinner had been penalised for a tackle. Beattie then produced a wonderful piece of skill at the corner flag seemingly up a cul de sac he produced a wonderful back heel, which again left him free only to be up ended by Mackenzie again Morris was prevented from getting a clear opportunity by Allan from the resultant freekick and the ball sailed away.
An inswinging Mackenzie set play from the left produced a bit of panic in the box and Moodie could only half clear the ball out 12 yards and Beattie produced a good volley, which just cleared the bar. As the game entered the latter stages J Sutherland had a good chance when Farquhar broke but again his shot produced a decent save from Begg diving forward and holding on to the ball.
A great result for United after the disappointment of Saturday they entered the game knowing a win was essential and facing one of their toughest rivals away from home great character was shown. The trio for Cassidy, Morris and Farquhar were the top performers on the night causing their opposite numbers any amount of problems. The challenge is now can they maintain that level of performance between now and the end of the season.
Castletown a great fighting spirit although they maybe lacked a cutting edge at times but their work rate and determination was never in doubt and backed by a healthy crowd as well.
M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, R Farmer, G Bremner,
R Sutherland, T Farquhar, R Beattie (J Sutherland 78)
L Cassidy, K Morris, N Mackenzie.
Subs not used - G Elder and H Boyd
;D
;D ;D ;D
Castletown 0 V Pentland United 2 - By Michael Gray ;D
Another brilliant summer's night greeted United across the bay for their penultimate away league fixture of the 2003 calendar as per usual the surface in Castletown was superb certainly the best in the county. Martin Baker failed to recover from a rib injury and he was replaced by Ross Sutherland while Andy Mackay was replaced by Russel Beattie, Hamish Boyd and Graeme Elder claimed spots on the bench with Derek Manson away on holiday.
Donald Allan turned out for Castletown and many of the large crowd must have been wondering if they were caught in a time warp watching the big centre half doing battle with old foe Kevin Morris once again. The game was never going to be one for the faint hearted but then very rarely do you find a Canisbay/Castletown confrontation any other way.
Ross Sutherland and Willie Steven would so often optimise what the fixture is all about with some crunching tackles in the midfield with no quarter being asked for or given. In the early stages chances were few and far between Bremner struck a long range powerful drive wide with Begg never really concerned. United did manage a consistent spell of corners although Donald Allan showed all his experience to hold of Morris on more than one occasion.
However they did manage to take the lead from a set-piece a Mackenzie free kick from the left was only partially cleared as far as Bremner at the edge of the box and he produced a delicate lob at goal that had Begg scrambling to keep out but he could do nothing as Farquhar seized on the rebound to fire United into the lead. This settled United visibly and Mackenzie started to exert himself on the game although to his credit Alan Farquhar stuck to his task admirably.
Another set-piece this time a corner saw Bremner take it short before launching a dangerous inswinging corner, which had the Castletown defence struggling but Farquhar just got a little too much on the header and took the pace off the ball enough for Begg to re-position and clutch the ball.
Beattie was also becoming more influential on the right and twice in the space of five minutes he managed to turn his man and wriggle clear on the right the latter of these turns produced the second goal of the night this time he drew the defence and played in Farquhar who had lost his man and he crossed for Morris to take a touch round his marker before firing an unstoppable shot past Begg.
This marked a purple spell for United in terms of attacking play firstly Mackenzie played the ball in to Cassidy's feet he produced an exquisite turn before rifling in a good low shot that brought a top drawer save from Begg at his near post.
The same pair of players linked again on the left hand side of the box this time Cassidy aided by Moodie's slip rolled the ball into Mackenzie's path but the wideman's finish was just too high.
In between this action Steven got on the end of a Begg freekick but just couldn't direct the header goalwards under pressure from Sutherland. Then Dunnett struck a good long range shot that narrowly missed the top corner from 25 yards and showed he was in the mood to try his luck from any distance. The game was delayed slightly before half-time when Gray suffered a gash above his left eye after an accidental clash with Begg under a high ball.
Half -time 2-0 to PUFC
Right from the start it was plainly obvious that Castletown were going to go for United however this left more room for United to exploit in the wide areas. Morris also showed his intention although his shot was a little straight it never lacked power and Begg again showed safe hands to clutch the ball to his chest.
Dunnett was having a solid game at the back and he cut out a dangerous ball from Mackenzie with Morris lurking in behind awaiting any mistakes. The game really ebbed and flowed with both sides working really hard for possession and attacking at every opportunity providing good entertainment for the big crowd.
United then claimed in vain for a penalty when a clumsy challenge from Allan sent Morris sprawling under Beattie's high ball but referee Wheatcroft was having none of it. Mackenzie then created a really good chance for Cassidy cutting in along the bye line he squared the ball for striker but his first time effort was brilliantly saved by Begg with Moodie completing the clearance.
S Mackenzie entered the book for a rash challenge on Beattie after the wideman had knocked the ball round him and was looking to attack the area. Only minutes later Castletown had an amazing let off a deep cross bounced up beyond the far post and Gray sent a brilliant header back across goal begging to be netted but R Sutherland at full stretch couldn't quite direct the ball goalwards much to the delight of the home crowd who taunted their former hero.
Gray was the creator only moments later a short throw routine with Farquhar saw the centre half swing in a teasing cross but Cassidy failed to get any real contact on the ball and Begg gathered comfortably.
Dunnet went close again from a set piece with another superb effort from 25 yards after Skinner had been penalised for a tackle. Beattie then produced a wonderful piece of skill at the corner flag seemingly up a cul de sac he produced a wonderful back heel, which again left him free only to be up ended by Mackenzie again Morris was prevented from getting a clear opportunity by Allan from the resultant freekick and the ball sailed away.
An inswinging Mackenzie set play from the left produced a bit of panic in the box and Moodie could only half clear the ball out 12 yards and Beattie produced a good volley, which just cleared the bar. As the game entered the latter stages J Sutherland had a good chance when Farquhar broke but again his shot produced a decent save from Begg diving forward and holding on to the ball.
A great result for United after the disappointment of Saturday they entered the game knowing a win was essential and facing one of their toughest rivals away from home great character was shown. The trio for Cassidy, Morris and Farquhar were the top performers on the night causing their opposite numbers any amount of problems. The challenge is now can they maintain that level of performance between now and the end of the season.
Castletown a great fighting spirit although they maybe lacked a cutting edge at times but their work rate and determination was never in doubt and backed by a healthy crowd as well.
M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, R Farmer, G Bremner,
R Sutherland, T Farquhar, R Beattie (J Sutherland 78)
L Cassidy, K Morris, N Mackenzie.
Subs not used - G Elder and H Boyd
;D
;D ;D ;D