Post by Michael Gray on May 16, 2008 16:48:57 GMT
United came to face 3 times winners Thurso Pentland in the first round proper at the Dammies on Saturday well aware that their town counterparts have started to put together a decent young side coupled with the experience of Foubister, Makhouli and Richardson this was a difficult fixture that the Dunnet side will be glad to see the back off. This was the second time in 3 years that the teams had met at this stage and just as the previous tie it was a tight tense affair. The Dunnet side again made several changes to their line-up on Saturday with Brian Kenny, Gary Bell, John Skinner, Gavin Sutherland all unavailable plus budding pop star Grant Budge away on a world tour meant Ross Sutherland and Jimmy Budge returned to the starting line-up and new signing Shane MacGinley took up a place on the bench. In the early stages United enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but at times it was pedestrian and more often than not the final ball let them down. Jimmy Budge, the clubs top scorer has not scored since the defeat of Swifts in the second match of the season but from the outset he looked sharp and hungry for goals he was marginally off target with the first opportunity of the game running on to a Murray through ball he took the shot on early with his left foot but it flew wide. The home side were looking to counter but the United rearguard were keeping a good high line and the eagerness of the Pentland forwards meant they were often caught offside. James Murray warmed the gloves of Anderson after drifting in from the wing the shot was powerful but lacked direction and the keeper comfortably held the ball. Skipper Tony Farquhar was back on the goal trail early in the week and he again led the line well winning his fair share in the air. James Murray was again looking to test Anderson cutting in from the left he rounded two players but he never quite got a proper hold of his shot and the keeper again dealt with the effort. Mid-way through the half the home side had their best chance when Adam Sutherland created decent space for himself on the edge of the area but Gray parried his shot wide then pounced on the loose ball. Lee Sutherland then in quick succession had two attempts on goal the first after stepping away from a couple of tackles in midfield he dragged a shot wide before being denied by a superb last ditch tackle from Foubister as he ran into the box on to a Murray through ball. Just when it seemed the teams would go in level United struck a Murray free kick from the right picked out Farquhar beautifully in front of goal and just when it seemed the striker seemed destined to nod the opener Foubister hauled him to the ground leaving referee Elder no option but to point at the spot, Farquhar dusted himself down to fire into the bottom left corner via the fingertips of Anderson’s gloves.
Half time
Thurso Pentland 0-1 Pentland United
United continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession but the Pentland’s always looked dangerous on the counter and a one goal lead is always precarious. But youngster Grant Steven on his 16th birthday coupled with the experience of Ross Sutherland meant opportunities were few and far between. The home side’s former player Darren Mackay was starting to make inroads through the middle with his third man running proving elusive and he was narrowly off target on 55 mins after making a great late dash into the box. United finally gained some breathing space after 63 minutes when Derek Manson made good headway down the right before clipping a ball into the in rushing Jimmy Budge to volley home into the bottom corner. That was the breathing space United yearned for they relaxed as the belief started to strip away from the town side, Murray especially started finding room to great effect showing a great range of passing. Budge had another decent chance mid way through the half when Farquhar rose highest to nod the ball into the striker but under great pressure he knocked the ball just wide. The longer the game went on the more fluent United became however there was always a sloppiness around their football taking a touch too many or not at all meant that far to regularly good moves broke down with unforced errors undoing all the good build up play. Pentlands to their credit continued to look for a foothold in the game even pushing up the experienced Makhouli to centre forward and he almost bagged a goal late on after breaking Steven’s initial challenge he recovered to his feet to drive the ball right across goal. At this time United made their first change introducing Smith for Manson the striker was to feature prominently in the closing stages and he was denied brilliantly by Anderson minutes after coming on when he latched on to a delightful Farquhar flick but the keeper spread himself expertly to block the net bound effort. Shane MacGinley then replaced Jimmy Budge, who had earned a well deserved rest after another goal scoring performance, the young striker showed good feet and willingness to chase down seemingly lost causes. Davidson a second half substitute then had a half chance after a Maclean free kick was swept away by Ross Sutherland but the midfielder’s hurried attempt went over the bar. The final action of the game saw skipper Farquhar complete his second successive brace Smith doing the donkey work delivering the ball into the strikers feet he took a touch before volleying passed Anderson from 8 yards.
Full time
Thurso Pentland 0-3 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. B Thain 4. G Steven 5. R Sutherland 6. D Mackay 7. L Sutherland 8. D Manson (M Smith 77) 9. J Budge (S Macginley 82) 10. T Farquhar (c) 11. J Murray
Subs unused
W Inrig
View from the goal
At times it was really good but then it would break down through a lack of concentration and appreciation for the surface. However plenty of positives we managed to hold the upper hand for the majority of the game and scored some decent goals although the first was a while coming it was deserved and it made the half time talk a little easier. The Pentlands have re-organised after last season and look a better outfit in many ways and I am sure they will be encouraged on their performance. Next week presents another stiff challenge in the form of Rovers in Dunnet, the Wick side have assembled a decent squad and it will be another stiff test.
Half time
Thurso Pentland 0-1 Pentland United
United continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession but the Pentland’s always looked dangerous on the counter and a one goal lead is always precarious. But youngster Grant Steven on his 16th birthday coupled with the experience of Ross Sutherland meant opportunities were few and far between. The home side’s former player Darren Mackay was starting to make inroads through the middle with his third man running proving elusive and he was narrowly off target on 55 mins after making a great late dash into the box. United finally gained some breathing space after 63 minutes when Derek Manson made good headway down the right before clipping a ball into the in rushing Jimmy Budge to volley home into the bottom corner. That was the breathing space United yearned for they relaxed as the belief started to strip away from the town side, Murray especially started finding room to great effect showing a great range of passing. Budge had another decent chance mid way through the half when Farquhar rose highest to nod the ball into the striker but under great pressure he knocked the ball just wide. The longer the game went on the more fluent United became however there was always a sloppiness around their football taking a touch too many or not at all meant that far to regularly good moves broke down with unforced errors undoing all the good build up play. Pentlands to their credit continued to look for a foothold in the game even pushing up the experienced Makhouli to centre forward and he almost bagged a goal late on after breaking Steven’s initial challenge he recovered to his feet to drive the ball right across goal. At this time United made their first change introducing Smith for Manson the striker was to feature prominently in the closing stages and he was denied brilliantly by Anderson minutes after coming on when he latched on to a delightful Farquhar flick but the keeper spread himself expertly to block the net bound effort. Shane MacGinley then replaced Jimmy Budge, who had earned a well deserved rest after another goal scoring performance, the young striker showed good feet and willingness to chase down seemingly lost causes. Davidson a second half substitute then had a half chance after a Maclean free kick was swept away by Ross Sutherland but the midfielder’s hurried attempt went over the bar. The final action of the game saw skipper Farquhar complete his second successive brace Smith doing the donkey work delivering the ball into the strikers feet he took a touch before volleying passed Anderson from 8 yards.
Full time
Thurso Pentland 0-3 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. B Thain 4. G Steven 5. R Sutherland 6. D Mackay 7. L Sutherland 8. D Manson (M Smith 77) 9. J Budge (S Macginley 82) 10. T Farquhar (c) 11. J Murray
Subs unused
W Inrig
View from the goal
At times it was really good but then it would break down through a lack of concentration and appreciation for the surface. However plenty of positives we managed to hold the upper hand for the majority of the game and scored some decent goals although the first was a while coming it was deserved and it made the half time talk a little easier. The Pentlands have re-organised after last season and look a better outfit in many ways and I am sure they will be encouraged on their performance. Next week presents another stiff challenge in the form of Rovers in Dunnet, the Wick side have assembled a decent squad and it will be another stiff test.