Post by Michael Gray on Apr 23, 2008 15:49:45 GMT
The Undertones sang of Jimmy Jimmy and by the end of this match the United supporters were giving their rendition. After a difficult first half where the Thurso side had the majority of possession and territorial advantage although it was the home side that had the better opportunities a super second half display gave United all 3 points on their first outing at Ham Park for 2008. The Thurso side minus the suspended Jamie Mackenzie won the toss and decided to play down the slope in the first half and were also aided by a slight breeze this allowed them to make most of the early running. Nigel Mackenzie and Lee MacDougall were to be constant threats down the left but to James Murray and Gary Mackay's credit they stuck to their tasks admirably and probably by the end of the game had become just as menacing, with Murray’s slight of feet a joy to watch. After 10 mins Mackenzie created the first opportunity racing down the left and standing up a cross to the far post where the experienced Kenny took no chances and headed away for a corner under pressure from the prolific Nichol. United’s big centre back also had an early chance at the other end when Grant Budge met an Inrig corner knocking the ball down but the Allan pulled of a super save at his near post. The familiarity of the players with one another in these fixtures usually means there is a little needle but to be fair to referee Munro he managed to keep a lid on most of the developing situations and handled the game very effectively. United at the moment have a fairly young side not only in terms of years but also of playing together and although the team is now starting to gel at times a lack of communication and composure almost undid their hard work giving the ball away cheaply for no apparent reason. After 20 mins one such occasion nearly cost them dearly when they seemed to get in a fankle in midfield the Swifts reacted quickly sweeping the ball out wide to Davidson whose cross was topped on at the near post for Mackenzie at the far post but he failed to put on enough purchase on the header. United however were quick to respond and super play from Grant Budge down the left saw him sweep in a wicked cross to the far post for Jimmy to send a header crashing off the bar the ever alert Lee Sutherland reacted first but the ball just wouldn’t come down quick enough and his shot was smothered by Allan on his goal line. It has been a decent spell of weather in Caithness of late much to the relief of farmers and the personnel tasked with looking after their respective pitches and another pleasant evening brought a decent crowd to Dunnet for this match which pitched 2nd v 3rd in the division last year. Around the half hour mark United suffered an injury blow when Inrig succumbed to a knee injury after landing awkwardly in a challenge with Elder on the half way line the skipper bravely tried to run the injury off but it was not to be and he was replaced by Manson who was to produce one of his best performances in a PU shirt. The substitute had the chance to make an immediate impact when Lee Sutherland picked him out with a glorious pass over the top of the defence but the header was tame and landed on the roof of the net. Holmes probably had Swifts best effort of the half when he fired in a low drive from 16 yards after a Mackenzie cut back found him in space but Gray managed to get down and hold the ball at his near post.
Half time
Pentland United 0-0 Swifts
A lot has been made of the corporate seats in football grounds being empty 5-10 mins either side of half time as they go to enjoy the culinary delights of their hosts and thus missing some great action well Ham Park was no different last night as within 3 mins of the restart United broke the deadlock. James Murray took the corner from the right arching in a wicked delivery for Jimmy Budge to power home a header from 6 yards high into the net leaving Allan with no chance. As in earthquakes the aftershocks can be just as powerful well United did it again 5 mins later on the counter attack Darren Mackay swept the ball wide to Derek Manson who attacked Davidson before crossing early to Grant Budge who stepped inside his marker and fire into the top corner with a scorching left foot effort. The Swifts were stung by the double whammy but such is the quality in their ranks they refused to buckle and continued to play their attacking game although leaving themselves vulnerable to the counter. Lee MacDougall had the chance at the near post to haul his team back into the game but he just missed the chance to connect with Mackenzie’s cross and Grant Steven cleared away. James Murray who was superb throughout although more especially in the second brilliantly won a challenge on half way with MacDougall then played a one-two with Grant Budge before hitting a sweet shot from 20 yards that Allan handled very well. Fifteen minutes into the half they game should have been over first Jimmy Budge raced clear rounded Allan but the keeper pushed him to wide so he teed up Manson who in turn fed Grant Budge for what seemed a routine finish but the normally deadly striker rather sclaffed his effort and Allan did well to hold on to his shot down to his left hand post. Although definitely not at his best the ever-dangerous Nichol was ensuring that neither Kenny nor Steven in central defence had an easy ride but the two stood firm throughout. Holmes had probably Swifts best opportunity in the second period when once again Mackenzie made in roads down the left and slipped the ball into the path of the striker who fired in a shot that Gray knocked round the post for a corner with some of his team mates questioning whether it was on target. With around fifteen to go United missed another great opportunity Derek Manson and James Murray linked brilliantly down the right allowing the youngster to race into the box before cutting the ball back just when it seemed Manson would lash the ball home he attempted a reverse pass that Murray never read at all and the chance evaporated. However he was forgiven moments later when he picked the ball up midway inside the opposition half and flighted a delightful ball over the top for Jimmy Budge to race through round Allan and score to secure the three points. Manager Gray quickly removed his top scorer to rest him up for the weekend and debutant Michael Smith replaced him and almost made an immediate impact again Manson was the architect cutting in from the left he bent a wonderful pass round Elder allowing Smith a clear sight of goal but Allan made a valiant block. Grant Budge had the nights final effort in similar circumstances to his goal after Brian Thain made good progress down the left before squaring the ball for Darryn Mackay who in turn fed the front man on the right side of the box he slipped passed Steven but his shot was wild in the end.
Full time
Pentland United 3-0 Swifts
1. M Gray 2. G Steven 3. B Thain 4. G Mackay 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig (c) (D Manson 29) 9. G Budge 10. J Murray 11. J Budge (M Smith 79)
Subs unused
R Sutherland
View from the goal
A really big second half performance from the guys I accept the Swifts were missing one or two players and their players have been playing a lot of football recently but we still played really well in the second period. Having said that they held the upper hand in the first half and we had to work very hard to stay level although we created the better of the chances. Only the second game together and losing your captain before half time isn’t exactly a recipe for success however we put the effort in and ultimately the result came in the end. I know the Budge brothers will get the headlines and you won’t see me arguing but the midfield last night were excellent and the defence marshalled some very good players as well as ever we could have hoped.
Half time
Pentland United 0-0 Swifts
A lot has been made of the corporate seats in football grounds being empty 5-10 mins either side of half time as they go to enjoy the culinary delights of their hosts and thus missing some great action well Ham Park was no different last night as within 3 mins of the restart United broke the deadlock. James Murray took the corner from the right arching in a wicked delivery for Jimmy Budge to power home a header from 6 yards high into the net leaving Allan with no chance. As in earthquakes the aftershocks can be just as powerful well United did it again 5 mins later on the counter attack Darren Mackay swept the ball wide to Derek Manson who attacked Davidson before crossing early to Grant Budge who stepped inside his marker and fire into the top corner with a scorching left foot effort. The Swifts were stung by the double whammy but such is the quality in their ranks they refused to buckle and continued to play their attacking game although leaving themselves vulnerable to the counter. Lee MacDougall had the chance at the near post to haul his team back into the game but he just missed the chance to connect with Mackenzie’s cross and Grant Steven cleared away. James Murray who was superb throughout although more especially in the second brilliantly won a challenge on half way with MacDougall then played a one-two with Grant Budge before hitting a sweet shot from 20 yards that Allan handled very well. Fifteen minutes into the half they game should have been over first Jimmy Budge raced clear rounded Allan but the keeper pushed him to wide so he teed up Manson who in turn fed Grant Budge for what seemed a routine finish but the normally deadly striker rather sclaffed his effort and Allan did well to hold on to his shot down to his left hand post. Although definitely not at his best the ever-dangerous Nichol was ensuring that neither Kenny nor Steven in central defence had an easy ride but the two stood firm throughout. Holmes had probably Swifts best opportunity in the second period when once again Mackenzie made in roads down the left and slipped the ball into the path of the striker who fired in a shot that Gray knocked round the post for a corner with some of his team mates questioning whether it was on target. With around fifteen to go United missed another great opportunity Derek Manson and James Murray linked brilliantly down the right allowing the youngster to race into the box before cutting the ball back just when it seemed Manson would lash the ball home he attempted a reverse pass that Murray never read at all and the chance evaporated. However he was forgiven moments later when he picked the ball up midway inside the opposition half and flighted a delightful ball over the top for Jimmy Budge to race through round Allan and score to secure the three points. Manager Gray quickly removed his top scorer to rest him up for the weekend and debutant Michael Smith replaced him and almost made an immediate impact again Manson was the architect cutting in from the left he bent a wonderful pass round Elder allowing Smith a clear sight of goal but Allan made a valiant block. Grant Budge had the nights final effort in similar circumstances to his goal after Brian Thain made good progress down the left before squaring the ball for Darryn Mackay who in turn fed the front man on the right side of the box he slipped passed Steven but his shot was wild in the end.
Full time
Pentland United 3-0 Swifts
1. M Gray 2. G Steven 3. B Thain 4. G Mackay 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. L Sutherland 8. W Inrig (c) (D Manson 29) 9. G Budge 10. J Murray 11. J Budge (M Smith 79)
Subs unused
R Sutherland
View from the goal
A really big second half performance from the guys I accept the Swifts were missing one or two players and their players have been playing a lot of football recently but we still played really well in the second period. Having said that they held the upper hand in the first half and we had to work very hard to stay level although we created the better of the chances. Only the second game together and losing your captain before half time isn’t exactly a recipe for success however we put the effort in and ultimately the result came in the end. I know the Budge brothers will get the headlines and you won’t see me arguing but the midfield last night were excellent and the defence marshalled some very good players as well as ever we could have hoped.