Post by Michael Gray on May 8, 2008 15:28:30 GMT
Rural derbies are always eventful affairs and this was no different United made a flying start, allowed Halkirk back into the game, dominated the second half but could have easily conceded a late equaliser. Manager Gray tried to freshen his side up given he has 3 games in 6 days this week and it was with no disrespect to Halkirk that he rested a few for this was their second game in 3 days especially after the exertions of Monday night. In came Brian Thain, Shaun Forbes and Tony Farquhar with Ross Sutherland dropping out completely with Brian Kenny and Jimmy Budge dropping to the bench. United stormed out the blocks knocking the ball about well and causing the homeside no end of problems and with a wonderful flowing move they made the breakthrough after 8 minutes Brian Thain slipping a great through ball for Derek Manson who flighted in a delightful far post cross that James Murray met a full stretch sending the ball back across goal for Tony Farquhar to rifle into the roof of the net from close range. But unfortunately for the United supporters this was the cue for their team to think they were the Dutch team of 1974 attempting long searching through balls when the short option was available much to the disgust of their manager. To be honest it was no real surprise when their careless football eventually allowed Halkirk right back into the game and they seized the initiative and duly equalised before the 20 minute mark S Elder seemed to rather barge his way passed Grant Steven but then lifted an excellent lob over the encroaching Gray. United then really lost their shape with ex-player Bain making a real nuisance of himself with some direct running at the heart of the United defence but he couldn’t find the end product to his good lead up play. Lee Elder was also having a decent game on the left giving Gary Mackay a stern work out but to be fair to the full back he was getting little or no coverage from his teammates. One such episode saw Elder drive to the bye line before cutting the ball back for Adamson who in turn fired in a near post shot that Gray smuggled round the post for a corner. It was a case of deja vu for United just before the half hour mark when yet again they had an excellent penalty appeal for handball against Blackwood turned away by referee Arrowsmith and the frustration grew. McCulloch did brilliantly to thwart Darren Mackay as he raced into the box diving out at the inrushing midfielder’s feet. Then James Murray shaved the post with a powerful right foot drive after brilliant play from Tony Farquhar saw him slip his man down the right before teeing up Grant Budge who wildly miskicked but it landed perfectly for Murray who was disappointed with his effort. Halkirk hit bac and another ex-player Gavin Bremner rattled the woodwork wuth a thumping volley that flew back into play but United cleared away the danger at the second opportunity. United however were finishing the half strongly and several chances went a begging as they started to regain control of the game although the Halkirk counter was always lively and Lee Elder again escaped the clutches of Mackay on the left in injury time but Gray stood up to block the ball with his feet at the near post.
Half time
Halkirk 1-1 Pentland United
I am quite sure there were contrasting team talks delivered by both managers with the United camp probably more frustrated than anything else. Whatever was said in the United change room had an immediate effect Kenny on for the injured Thain picked the ball up on half way and played a splendid through ball for Darren Mackay this time he beat McCulloch to the ball but was upended by the keeper for a stonewall penalty. Skipper Tony Farquhar assumed the responsibility and blasted the ball low passed the diving keeper he claims it was reminiscent of his old friend Brian Gray’s technique think the juries out on that one. United really were on top now and desperate for the killer third that would surely put them out of sight, Darren Mackay keen to break his duck (pardon the pun) thumped a shot of the junction after cutting in from the right on to a Sutherland pass. Then minutes later his brother Gary brought out a splendid save from McCulloch who clawed the ball away from the top corner. Halkirk were keen to hit on the counter but they were having to soak up heavy pressure however former United man Bain did try a shot from distance, after the United defence got in a bit of a mess but the shot was straight at Gray. The woodwork came to the home sides aid again mid-way through the half when Farquhar jumped highest to power a header against the balance of McCulloch from Manson set-piece freekick but could only watch in agony as it clipped the post and went wide. Halkirk then had another amazing escape when Manson picked out the run of Farquhar as the striker made into the box the chasing Blackwood stumbled and fell on to the striker but amazingly the referee judged there to have been no foul committed. Manager Gray started to freshen his said with 15 to go firstly Jimmy Budge the clubs top goalscorer came on and was immediately presented with a half chance after a slip from Blackwood let in Farquhar and he attempted to set up the tall striker but the ball wouldn’t come down quick enough and the shot went high over the bar. A superb run from Murray again beating 3 men before driving at the heart of the Halkirk defence he drew Blackwood before setting up Budge who fired low and hard across goal but as everybody expected to see the net bulge the ball flew passed the post. Halkirk’s best chance at this stage was a Bremner freekick after Kenny was harshly adjudged to have fouled Adamson on the edge of the box the set-piece was powerfully hit but it went over the bar. With just under 10 mins left United made their final change with Michael Smith taking the field and he again showed some nice touches to create space for himself but he to failed to trouble McCulloch from just inside the box as he was closed down and the ball was cleared away. As the game neared its conclusion Halkirk pushed on additional men to try and rescue a point and right at the death they got a marvellous chance when Lee Elder picked the ball up on the left and curled a great far post cross into the back post where Blackwood met sweet on the volley however the shot got the merest of glances from Gray’s gloves and went wide for a corner. United cleared and James Murray again set Budge free he drove into the area before driving the ball in right footed but couldn’t believe his luck when McCulloch pulled off a quite marvellous diving save.
Full time
Halkirk 1-2 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. B Thain (B Kenny 45) 4. G Steven 5. S Forbes 6. D Mackay 7. L Sutherland 8. D Manson (J Budge 75) 9. G Budge 10. T Farquhar (c) (M Smith 82) 11. J Murray
Subs unused
W Inrig
View from the goal
Four points for a hard weeks work not to bad but probably should have been 6 had it not been for slackness at the start of the second half v Groats however last night was very good in spells but at times we were careless. Perhaps also a bit of overconfidence crept in as well after the early goal and that needs to be eradicated at the earliest opportunity. Halkirk battled well and if they maintain that attitude shouldn’t have any problem picking up points. Nice to see Tony back on the goal trail although that penalty had question marks all over it in terms of the finish.
Half time
Halkirk 1-1 Pentland United
I am quite sure there were contrasting team talks delivered by both managers with the United camp probably more frustrated than anything else. Whatever was said in the United change room had an immediate effect Kenny on for the injured Thain picked the ball up on half way and played a splendid through ball for Darren Mackay this time he beat McCulloch to the ball but was upended by the keeper for a stonewall penalty. Skipper Tony Farquhar assumed the responsibility and blasted the ball low passed the diving keeper he claims it was reminiscent of his old friend Brian Gray’s technique think the juries out on that one. United really were on top now and desperate for the killer third that would surely put them out of sight, Darren Mackay keen to break his duck (pardon the pun) thumped a shot of the junction after cutting in from the right on to a Sutherland pass. Then minutes later his brother Gary brought out a splendid save from McCulloch who clawed the ball away from the top corner. Halkirk were keen to hit on the counter but they were having to soak up heavy pressure however former United man Bain did try a shot from distance, after the United defence got in a bit of a mess but the shot was straight at Gray. The woodwork came to the home sides aid again mid-way through the half when Farquhar jumped highest to power a header against the balance of McCulloch from Manson set-piece freekick but could only watch in agony as it clipped the post and went wide. Halkirk then had another amazing escape when Manson picked out the run of Farquhar as the striker made into the box the chasing Blackwood stumbled and fell on to the striker but amazingly the referee judged there to have been no foul committed. Manager Gray started to freshen his said with 15 to go firstly Jimmy Budge the clubs top goalscorer came on and was immediately presented with a half chance after a slip from Blackwood let in Farquhar and he attempted to set up the tall striker but the ball wouldn’t come down quick enough and the shot went high over the bar. A superb run from Murray again beating 3 men before driving at the heart of the Halkirk defence he drew Blackwood before setting up Budge who fired low and hard across goal but as everybody expected to see the net bulge the ball flew passed the post. Halkirk’s best chance at this stage was a Bremner freekick after Kenny was harshly adjudged to have fouled Adamson on the edge of the box the set-piece was powerfully hit but it went over the bar. With just under 10 mins left United made their final change with Michael Smith taking the field and he again showed some nice touches to create space for himself but he to failed to trouble McCulloch from just inside the box as he was closed down and the ball was cleared away. As the game neared its conclusion Halkirk pushed on additional men to try and rescue a point and right at the death they got a marvellous chance when Lee Elder picked the ball up on the left and curled a great far post cross into the back post where Blackwood met sweet on the volley however the shot got the merest of glances from Gray’s gloves and went wide for a corner. United cleared and James Murray again set Budge free he drove into the area before driving the ball in right footed but couldn’t believe his luck when McCulloch pulled off a quite marvellous diving save.
Full time
Halkirk 1-2 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. B Thain (B Kenny 45) 4. G Steven 5. S Forbes 6. D Mackay 7. L Sutherland 8. D Manson (J Budge 75) 9. G Budge 10. T Farquhar (c) (M Smith 82) 11. J Murray
Subs unused
W Inrig
View from the goal
Four points for a hard weeks work not to bad but probably should have been 6 had it not been for slackness at the start of the second half v Groats however last night was very good in spells but at times we were careless. Perhaps also a bit of overconfidence crept in as well after the early goal and that needs to be eradicated at the earliest opportunity. Halkirk battled well and if they maintain that attitude shouldn’t have any problem picking up points. Nice to see Tony back on the goal trail although that penalty had question marks all over it in terms of the finish.