Post by Brian Mackay on Aug 10, 2003 12:02:07 GMT
Davie Allan Shield Final - Friday 1st of August 2003
Thurso Acks 1 V Pentland United 1 (PUFC won 4-2 on pens a.e.t) - By Michael Gray ;D
A cool night greeted both teams to Castletown for this re-arranged David Allan Shield Cup Final Martin Baker returned to the starting eleven having recovered from his rib injury with Luke Cassidy dropping to the bench. Both sides were as strong as they could possibly be rightly justifying the decision to schedule the game on the Friday night so scathenly challenged in the local press.
Both sides opened brightly on an excellent surface although the niggling undercurrent that so often goes with these games was always just below the surface ready to rear at any point and would do so frequently during this game. Early clear cut chances were few and far between but went down to some good defending as both sides were not scared to get the ball into potentially dangerous areas at every opportunity.
Nigel Mackenzie had the game's first real chance when a superb diagonal pass from Morris found him all alone on the edge but he delayed his shot a fraction too long and was crowded out eventually by a combination of Campbell and Moar.
The opening goal from United came after 15 mins when Graeme Reid's attempted clearance was charged down by Tony Farquhar who got to the bye line before crossing where Moar could only turn the ball into his own net past Swanson under pressure from Morris.
A booming clearance from Gray then had the Acks sweeper under more pressure he managed to head the ball away from goal but Morris intercepted the ball ahead of keeper Swanson but could only drive the ball into the side net from a very tight angle.
The same players tangled again on the edge of the box and once again Morris came out on top but when he drove his shot goalwards he could only look on as Reid retreated to clear the ball of the line. The seemingly telepathic understanding between MacDougall and Murray up front always a feature of Acks attacking play created their first opportunity when Murray picked up the winger's lay-off and cut inside Skinner but could only shoot over under pressure.
Murray then retreating to turn on the ball at the half way line got tangled up with R Sutherland and the ensuing melee resulted in both players entering Mr Makhouli's notebook.
Reid joined them shortly afterwards for a reckless challenge on Morris after the big striker had done brilliantly to controlling the ball and turning away from the centre half in one movement.
Baker then made an absolutely crucial block on Murray as once again the Acks striker broke along the bye line causing problems for the United rear guard.
Beattie who was involved in an absorbing tussle on the right with MacDougall then set off past two players on the wing but as he prepared to cut along the bye line a sliding challenge from Green appeared to impede him, however the referee and his assistant agreed that no infringement had in fact taken place. The wide man showed the other side of his game moments later tracking back he thwarted MacDougall in a potentially dangerous position and produced and excellent clearing ball finding Farquhar in space on half way.
The equaliser came a couple of minutes before half time via an ill fated decision by keeper Gray to come for a long Reid freekick, which he couldn't hold on to a massive scramble then ensued with MacDougall firing goalwards and Green managing to get the merest of touches on the ball glancing the ball into the net.
Just seconds later Farquhar joined the growing list of offenders in the book for a crude challenge on Coghill after the Acks man had dispossessed him on halfway.
Half-time 1-1
United opened the second half with more purpose trying to stretch the Acks defence at every opportunity Mackenzie in particular always keen to get on the ball. Michael Bremner had a good early chance at the edge of the box but his superb low drive just missed the target after good build up play from MacDougall on the left.
A deep Mackenzie cross then created panic in the Acks defence when keeper Swanson could not hold on to the ball Beattie reclaimed the ball but when he fired the ball back into the danger area Reid mopped up and averted the danger. At this stage the game was being played at a frantic pace both sides really going at it hammer and tongs and serving up a cracker for the big crowd.
MacDougall ensured United keeper Gray had to look lively when he produced a good counter attack and whipped in a low near post ball than had the stopper at full stretch to hold on to it. United then made the first change of the match Cassidy replacing Farquhar and the young frontman almost made an instant hit when he produced a superb turn and fired just wide but he made it plainly clear he was in the mood. Murray so nearly found himself in the clear only moments later seizing on a Gray mistake he was clear in on keeper Gray but his touch was a little to heavy allowing Gray to smother the ball at his feet.
The tiring Beattie was then replaced by the Boyd and he immediately had an impact sending in a teasing centre that found Morris but he delayed too long before feeding Mackenzie but his shot was wild and never likely to trouble Swanson.
Jamie Mackenzie had an opportunity shortly afterwards turning on the edge of the box he found himself in space but his shot was just to straight. MacDougall was the next player to be shown the yellow card when he took his protests over a Moar challenge on Boyd too far.
Luke Cassidy once again showed a good touch to control a feed from Mackenzie before again turning superbly and firing agonisingly across goal with Swanson rooted to the spot. Late in the game Boyd thought he had won the final for United when he showed great pace and power to beat MacDougall and his driven cross was diverted via Moar into the Acks net only for assistant referee Arrowsmith to rule the ball had already crossed the line before the United man had cut the ball back.
Full-time 1-1
With the stalemate the game moved into extra-time with very few people if any leaving early from this engrossing contest. The first period kicked off with a slightly nervous feel about it both teams knowing one mistake would cost the game with the golden goal ruling in place.
Boyd had a glorious chance to win the final when another superb turn from Cassidy allowed him the time and space to pick a superb pass that played the big man clean in on goal he took a touch before firing in a good low shot, which brought the save of the game from Swanson with his feet.
At the other end of the pitch Murray turned and cut inside once again with pace and purpose whoever he couldn't quite direct his shot on target. Gavin Bremner had the final chance of the half when a Mackenzie cross eluded everyone and found him at the back post only for the former Acks man's first time shot to rise just to steeply without troubling Swanson.
E/T Half-time 1-1
Fatigue was beginning to set in throughout both sides and little wonder considering the pace of the game. A deep Bremner freekick saw Morris rise brilliantly at the far post and produce a superb knockdown, which seemed destined to be a goal with both Boyd and Cassidy on the scene but superb defending from MacDougall denied the Canisbay men a shot at goal.
Disaster then struck for Acks when frontman Murray after some good skill beat a couple of players on the edge of the box but knocked the ball to far ahead of himself resulting in a desperate lunge that caught Gray above the ankle that left him reeling in agony referee Makhouli had no option but to issue the Acks man his second yellow card and ultimately a red one.
This soured the atmosphere somewhat but to be fair to the referee the manner the game was played in it was highly unlikely that both teams would finish with 11 right from kick off. Jamie Mackenzie adopted the lone striker role and he produced a wonderful bit of skill on the left to beat Gray and as he cut into the box the chance really opened up for him and only a timely block from Skinner denied him the chance.
With only minutes to go skipper Farmer was presented with a glorious chance to win the cup after brilliant play from Boyd found him all alone at the back post but stretching he could only volley past the post. That brought the game to a close and the match would be decided on penalties.
E/T Full-time 1-1
Penalty shoot-out
United Acks
Farmer - Scored MacDougall - Missed
Baker - Scored Bremner - Scored
Cassidy - Scored Green - Scored
Gray - Scored Mackenzie - Missed
United clinch the second trophy of the season in a tense tight affair with neither team excelling and the game too often being broken up by petty feuds round the park. The first half was a fairly even affair with Acks ahead in terms of territory and possession and United sneaking it in goal scoring chances. The second half I thought United were the better team and reacted really well to losing such a sloppy goal on half time although their finishing at times was a little wayward. Within the extra time period an awful lot of nerves shown and the littering of fouls throughout was bound to catch up eventually unfortunately for Alan Murray he was the unlucky character. A tough way to lose any game but until a better option is found the only way to separate teams is penalties even though it is a lottery in so many ways.
For me Morris and Skinner were the United's best performers on the night closely followed by a largely unsung hero this season in Beattie who put in a tremendous shift although he suffered for that later on in the game.
M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, M Baker, R Farmer, G Bremner, R Beattie (Boyd 75), R Sutherland, T Farquhar
(Cassidy 65), K Morris, N Mackenzie.
Subs not used - J Sutherland and G Elder
Thurso Acks 1 V Pentland United 1 (PUFC won 4-2 on pens a.e.t) - By Michael Gray ;D
A cool night greeted both teams to Castletown for this re-arranged David Allan Shield Cup Final Martin Baker returned to the starting eleven having recovered from his rib injury with Luke Cassidy dropping to the bench. Both sides were as strong as they could possibly be rightly justifying the decision to schedule the game on the Friday night so scathenly challenged in the local press.
Both sides opened brightly on an excellent surface although the niggling undercurrent that so often goes with these games was always just below the surface ready to rear at any point and would do so frequently during this game. Early clear cut chances were few and far between but went down to some good defending as both sides were not scared to get the ball into potentially dangerous areas at every opportunity.
Nigel Mackenzie had the game's first real chance when a superb diagonal pass from Morris found him all alone on the edge but he delayed his shot a fraction too long and was crowded out eventually by a combination of Campbell and Moar.
The opening goal from United came after 15 mins when Graeme Reid's attempted clearance was charged down by Tony Farquhar who got to the bye line before crossing where Moar could only turn the ball into his own net past Swanson under pressure from Morris.
A booming clearance from Gray then had the Acks sweeper under more pressure he managed to head the ball away from goal but Morris intercepted the ball ahead of keeper Swanson but could only drive the ball into the side net from a very tight angle.
The same players tangled again on the edge of the box and once again Morris came out on top but when he drove his shot goalwards he could only look on as Reid retreated to clear the ball of the line. The seemingly telepathic understanding between MacDougall and Murray up front always a feature of Acks attacking play created their first opportunity when Murray picked up the winger's lay-off and cut inside Skinner but could only shoot over under pressure.
Murray then retreating to turn on the ball at the half way line got tangled up with R Sutherland and the ensuing melee resulted in both players entering Mr Makhouli's notebook.
Reid joined them shortly afterwards for a reckless challenge on Morris after the big striker had done brilliantly to controlling the ball and turning away from the centre half in one movement.
Baker then made an absolutely crucial block on Murray as once again the Acks striker broke along the bye line causing problems for the United rear guard.
Beattie who was involved in an absorbing tussle on the right with MacDougall then set off past two players on the wing but as he prepared to cut along the bye line a sliding challenge from Green appeared to impede him, however the referee and his assistant agreed that no infringement had in fact taken place. The wide man showed the other side of his game moments later tracking back he thwarted MacDougall in a potentially dangerous position and produced and excellent clearing ball finding Farquhar in space on half way.
The equaliser came a couple of minutes before half time via an ill fated decision by keeper Gray to come for a long Reid freekick, which he couldn't hold on to a massive scramble then ensued with MacDougall firing goalwards and Green managing to get the merest of touches on the ball glancing the ball into the net.
Just seconds later Farquhar joined the growing list of offenders in the book for a crude challenge on Coghill after the Acks man had dispossessed him on halfway.
Half-time 1-1
United opened the second half with more purpose trying to stretch the Acks defence at every opportunity Mackenzie in particular always keen to get on the ball. Michael Bremner had a good early chance at the edge of the box but his superb low drive just missed the target after good build up play from MacDougall on the left.
A deep Mackenzie cross then created panic in the Acks defence when keeper Swanson could not hold on to the ball Beattie reclaimed the ball but when he fired the ball back into the danger area Reid mopped up and averted the danger. At this stage the game was being played at a frantic pace both sides really going at it hammer and tongs and serving up a cracker for the big crowd.
MacDougall ensured United keeper Gray had to look lively when he produced a good counter attack and whipped in a low near post ball than had the stopper at full stretch to hold on to it. United then made the first change of the match Cassidy replacing Farquhar and the young frontman almost made an instant hit when he produced a superb turn and fired just wide but he made it plainly clear he was in the mood. Murray so nearly found himself in the clear only moments later seizing on a Gray mistake he was clear in on keeper Gray but his touch was a little to heavy allowing Gray to smother the ball at his feet.
The tiring Beattie was then replaced by the Boyd and he immediately had an impact sending in a teasing centre that found Morris but he delayed too long before feeding Mackenzie but his shot was wild and never likely to trouble Swanson.
Jamie Mackenzie had an opportunity shortly afterwards turning on the edge of the box he found himself in space but his shot was just to straight. MacDougall was the next player to be shown the yellow card when he took his protests over a Moar challenge on Boyd too far.
Luke Cassidy once again showed a good touch to control a feed from Mackenzie before again turning superbly and firing agonisingly across goal with Swanson rooted to the spot. Late in the game Boyd thought he had won the final for United when he showed great pace and power to beat MacDougall and his driven cross was diverted via Moar into the Acks net only for assistant referee Arrowsmith to rule the ball had already crossed the line before the United man had cut the ball back.
Full-time 1-1
With the stalemate the game moved into extra-time with very few people if any leaving early from this engrossing contest. The first period kicked off with a slightly nervous feel about it both teams knowing one mistake would cost the game with the golden goal ruling in place.
Boyd had a glorious chance to win the final when another superb turn from Cassidy allowed him the time and space to pick a superb pass that played the big man clean in on goal he took a touch before firing in a good low shot, which brought the save of the game from Swanson with his feet.
At the other end of the pitch Murray turned and cut inside once again with pace and purpose whoever he couldn't quite direct his shot on target. Gavin Bremner had the final chance of the half when a Mackenzie cross eluded everyone and found him at the back post only for the former Acks man's first time shot to rise just to steeply without troubling Swanson.
E/T Half-time 1-1
Fatigue was beginning to set in throughout both sides and little wonder considering the pace of the game. A deep Bremner freekick saw Morris rise brilliantly at the far post and produce a superb knockdown, which seemed destined to be a goal with both Boyd and Cassidy on the scene but superb defending from MacDougall denied the Canisbay men a shot at goal.
Disaster then struck for Acks when frontman Murray after some good skill beat a couple of players on the edge of the box but knocked the ball to far ahead of himself resulting in a desperate lunge that caught Gray above the ankle that left him reeling in agony referee Makhouli had no option but to issue the Acks man his second yellow card and ultimately a red one.
This soured the atmosphere somewhat but to be fair to the referee the manner the game was played in it was highly unlikely that both teams would finish with 11 right from kick off. Jamie Mackenzie adopted the lone striker role and he produced a wonderful bit of skill on the left to beat Gray and as he cut into the box the chance really opened up for him and only a timely block from Skinner denied him the chance.
With only minutes to go skipper Farmer was presented with a glorious chance to win the cup after brilliant play from Boyd found him all alone at the back post but stretching he could only volley past the post. That brought the game to a close and the match would be decided on penalties.
E/T Full-time 1-1
Penalty shoot-out
United Acks
Farmer - Scored MacDougall - Missed
Baker - Scored Bremner - Scored
Cassidy - Scored Green - Scored
Gray - Scored Mackenzie - Missed
United clinch the second trophy of the season in a tense tight affair with neither team excelling and the game too often being broken up by petty feuds round the park. The first half was a fairly even affair with Acks ahead in terms of territory and possession and United sneaking it in goal scoring chances. The second half I thought United were the better team and reacted really well to losing such a sloppy goal on half time although their finishing at times was a little wayward. Within the extra time period an awful lot of nerves shown and the littering of fouls throughout was bound to catch up eventually unfortunately for Alan Murray he was the unlucky character. A tough way to lose any game but until a better option is found the only way to separate teams is penalties even though it is a lottery in so many ways.
For me Morris and Skinner were the United's best performers on the night closely followed by a largely unsung hero this season in Beattie who put in a tremendous shift although he suffered for that later on in the game.
M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, M Baker, R Farmer, G Bremner, R Beattie (Boyd 75), R Sutherland, T Farquhar
(Cassidy 65), K Morris, N Mackenzie.
Subs not used - J Sutherland and G Elder