Post by Michael Gray on Apr 17, 2008 16:30:25 GMT
The 2008 season kicked off in earnest as United travelled down to Keiss on a bright but raw night on the east coast. The early drama wasn’t confined to the park as half of United’s squad arrived late due to an altercation with the local constabulary and then having to make an emergency toilet stop, nerves I suspect. Duncan Gray has been busy over the winter months trying to re-shape his squad again after a number of high profile departures and he handed debuts to five new players as United kicked off their league campaign with a win against a battling Keiss side. It was clear Keiss had targeted Grant Budge as a serious threat as after only four minutes the talismatic figure raced clear only to be upended on the edge of the box by a tough challenge from Mackenzie, referee Macdonald gave the freekick but skipper Inrig’s effort was disappointing. Budge again was a threat on the ten minute mark again wriggling away from a couple of challenges down the right and bursting into the box but he rather pulled his shot wide of goal. Given that for many this was the first competitive match of the season and also playing together it was no real surprise it was sluggish at times and Keiss were trying to take full advantage Niwa burst into the box Gray half cleared to the edge of the box where he was grateful to see Inrig clear the ball to safety then a long ball over the top almost caught the keeper out as he tried to usher behind for a goalkick Salim made a desperate attempt to keep in play but failed. Mid-way through the half the deadlock was broken Inrig stepped away from a couple of tackles on the half way line before releasing Grant Budge down the right channel and he drove into the box before slipping the ball across for brother Jimmy to slot passed the diving Richard. Salim was working hard up front not giving the experienced Kenny an easy time in his introduction to Caithness football but the centre half stood up to almost everything that was thrown at him. The next opportunity again fell to Keiss this time from a Steven corner after slackness in the United rearguard allowed them to ear a soft set-piece centre half Mackenzie came forward failed to hit the target with a towering header.United though were holding the upper hand in terms of possession and chances and they again made Keiss on the half hour mark Gray’s goalkick was helped on by Grant Budge releasing Jimmy Budge who raced through to slot passed the advancing Richard with a sweet finish showing his ever increasing confidence. Even with the wind at their backs Keiss were now struggling and United through Bell and Murray fizzed crosses right across goal just asking to be helped home. Even the cultured Steven in the Keiss midfield was struggling to cope as United continued to surge forward and only two last ditch tackles prevented Jimmy Budge from completing a first half hat-trick. However right on half time Keiss finally got a break a long ball was fielded under pressure by Gary Mackay who fed Grant Steven who cleared to halfway only finding Taylor who spotted the run of Salim, Kenny made the challenge but the ball fell to Campbell who delicately set the ball arching over Gray into the far corner of the net.
Half time
Keiss 1-2 Pentland United
Manager Gray had obviously asked for a reaction from his players for the moments lapse of concentration on half time and he got it within four minutes of the re-start a raking pass from Grant Steven found Grant Budge down the right he set up Murray who crossed for Jimmy Budge to blast home on the volley to complete an excellent hat-trick. To their credit playing in front of their brand new facilities, which now are as good as anywhere in the county, Keiss battled on and continued to show great spirit through to the end. Jimmy Budge continued to see the lion’s share of chances and after some wonderful interchanges between Sutherland and Inrig he again found space in the box but his effort only found the side net. On the hour mark United effectively made the points safe when Murray’s cross was half cleared to the edge of the box and the United skipper sent a delightful left foot chip back over Richard into the net. Keeper Gray nearly allowed Keiss back into the match when he came to collect a through ball but failed to hold on allowing veteran striker Angus Mackay an opportunity however Grant Steven mopped up the loose ball and spared his keeper’s blushes. The balance of the flow still went with United more so with the wind at their backs now they were enjoying the bulk of possession and opportunities James Murray was making great in roads down the right giving Reid a torrid time and he almost set one on the plate for Sutherland who just failed to connect 6 yards out. Just before he was removed Grant Budge missed a great chance after Murray and Inrig linked before sending the striker swung in a tantalising cross but Budge sent his header wide at the far post with perhaps Darryn Mackay in a better position. With just over 20 mins left Duncan Gray sent on Brian Thain to replace Budge who had taken a heavy knock just 5 minutes previously and was struggling to shake off the effects. He was quickly joined on the sidelines by his brother, who was replaced by Derek Manson, for a well earned rest after his contribution. The link up play was a major feature of the second half as the team grew in confidence however the finishing wasn’t up to standard as time and time again they got into decent positions but failed to make the keeper work with just over quarter of an hour left Darryn Mackay continued the theme when a couple of slick one-two’s saw him race into the box but as he drew Richard he fired right over the top. With about 13 mins left on the clock Keiss had the chance to make the game a little more interesting for the closing stages when Salim burst passed Inrig into the box only to be upended by the United captain who promptly brought him down leaving Steven with the chance to double the home tally but he fired wide. Inrig was withdrawn shortly afterwards and Gordon Mackenzie moved into the full back position with Grant Steven pushing into the midfield role vacated by Inrig the final ten minutes or so were pretty uneventful with United enjoying the bigger attacking share of the game but perhaps a little more reserved Murray looked desperate to get on the scoresheet but it wasn’t to be his night firing high and wide from 20 yards as the game petered out
Full time
Keiss 1-4 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Steven 3. G Bell 4. G Mackay 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig (c) (G Mackenzie 79) 9. G Budge (B Thain 69) 10. J Murray 11. J Budge (D Manson 71)
View from the goal
After the upheaval before the game it would have been easy to slip up here and Keiss were well up for the match. If they continue to show the same hunger and desire then they will certainly bother teams especially at home. With so many new faces it is little wonder it took us a while to click but in patches it was really good although at the same time it could also be very sloppy especially with our passing. Delighted for Jimbo he has suffered some horrendous injury problems recently lets hope he is finally going to enjoy some good fortune now and his finishing was clinical tonight.
Half time
Keiss 1-2 Pentland United
Manager Gray had obviously asked for a reaction from his players for the moments lapse of concentration on half time and he got it within four minutes of the re-start a raking pass from Grant Steven found Grant Budge down the right he set up Murray who crossed for Jimmy Budge to blast home on the volley to complete an excellent hat-trick. To their credit playing in front of their brand new facilities, which now are as good as anywhere in the county, Keiss battled on and continued to show great spirit through to the end. Jimmy Budge continued to see the lion’s share of chances and after some wonderful interchanges between Sutherland and Inrig he again found space in the box but his effort only found the side net. On the hour mark United effectively made the points safe when Murray’s cross was half cleared to the edge of the box and the United skipper sent a delightful left foot chip back over Richard into the net. Keeper Gray nearly allowed Keiss back into the match when he came to collect a through ball but failed to hold on allowing veteran striker Angus Mackay an opportunity however Grant Steven mopped up the loose ball and spared his keeper’s blushes. The balance of the flow still went with United more so with the wind at their backs now they were enjoying the bulk of possession and opportunities James Murray was making great in roads down the right giving Reid a torrid time and he almost set one on the plate for Sutherland who just failed to connect 6 yards out. Just before he was removed Grant Budge missed a great chance after Murray and Inrig linked before sending the striker swung in a tantalising cross but Budge sent his header wide at the far post with perhaps Darryn Mackay in a better position. With just over 20 mins left Duncan Gray sent on Brian Thain to replace Budge who had taken a heavy knock just 5 minutes previously and was struggling to shake off the effects. He was quickly joined on the sidelines by his brother, who was replaced by Derek Manson, for a well earned rest after his contribution. The link up play was a major feature of the second half as the team grew in confidence however the finishing wasn’t up to standard as time and time again they got into decent positions but failed to make the keeper work with just over quarter of an hour left Darryn Mackay continued the theme when a couple of slick one-two’s saw him race into the box but as he drew Richard he fired right over the top. With about 13 mins left on the clock Keiss had the chance to make the game a little more interesting for the closing stages when Salim burst passed Inrig into the box only to be upended by the United captain who promptly brought him down leaving Steven with the chance to double the home tally but he fired wide. Inrig was withdrawn shortly afterwards and Gordon Mackenzie moved into the full back position with Grant Steven pushing into the midfield role vacated by Inrig the final ten minutes or so were pretty uneventful with United enjoying the bigger attacking share of the game but perhaps a little more reserved Murray looked desperate to get on the scoresheet but it wasn’t to be his night firing high and wide from 20 yards as the game petered out
Full time
Keiss 1-4 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Steven 3. G Bell 4. G Mackay 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig (c) (G Mackenzie 79) 9. G Budge (B Thain 69) 10. J Murray 11. J Budge (D Manson 71)
View from the goal
After the upheaval before the game it would have been easy to slip up here and Keiss were well up for the match. If they continue to show the same hunger and desire then they will certainly bother teams especially at home. With so many new faces it is little wonder it took us a while to click but in patches it was really good although at the same time it could also be very sloppy especially with our passing. Delighted for Jimbo he has suffered some horrendous injury problems recently lets hope he is finally going to enjoy some good fortune now and his finishing was clinical tonight.