Post by Michael Gray on May 29, 2008 15:41:36 GMT
There are days when I guess you just shouldn’t bother getting out of bed to be perfectly honest I probably had a week to forget given the Rangers results coupled with this disastrous display in Dunnet when everything that could possibly go wrong did. However these things are sent to try you and United must put this result behind them and move on to Thursday night’s game versus high-flying Wick Groats. Conditions were perfect for football in another glorious summer’s night in Dunnet but by the end the storm clouds had appeared over United’s early season and it remains to be seen whether they can blow them away come the next game. The early exchanges were pretty even both teams circling each other like boxers with very little actual contact being made. Former Ross County player Cunningham had a decent early chance when slipped in by Harper with a suspicion of offside however the striker’s attempted lob only found keeper Gray’s arms. The home side struck back through a series of corners but they couldn’t find a way to breach the visitors defence well marshalled by Sinclair. United should have taken the lead after 15 mins when Grant Budge slipped his marker and raced through on goal but his powerful drive was deflected away by the legs of the keeper and away from danger. United’s defence have been pretty solid so far this season but there was a definite air of uncertainty about their defending throughout this match and panic seemed to set in whenever Rovers attacked, Gray scrambling from his line marginally beat Harper to a long ball and recovered quickly as the ball bounced loose. James Murray came close after 25 mins good play from Grant Budge out side the box saw him find the young attacker cutting in from the left on to his right foot but unfortunately the shot was off target. On the half hour mark Rovers broke the deadlock in dramatic fashion Steven half cleared the ball out to the right touch line where Macdonald picked the ball up stepped inside his marker Manson and unleashed a brilliant angled shot that flew passed Gray into the top corner from the angle of the box. United were rocked the goal hadn’t exactly come out of the blue but given the lack of apparent danger it was a hammer blow the home side tried to rally and although they enjoyed a decent spell of pressure in terms of possession they were finding the going tough up front and the chances were at best half and scarce on the ground.
Half time
Pentland United 0-1 Wick Rovers
The United side started the second period in purposeful mode keen to try and claw back the deficit and retain their unbeaten start but for all their efforts the final ball so often let them down. Darren Mackay was making great runs into enemy territory but unfortunately his shooting was way of target. However the defensive frailties were never to far from sight and Lyall missed a snip in front of goal after Harper did well down the right laying the ball into the path of the striker 8 yards from goal but he failed to connect properly and the ball trickled wide. United still attacked with purpose but the final ball was destroying them either releasing the ball to early or holding on too long while options arrived it was apparent there was a disconnect in the play that could be down to a lack of confidence, composure or even belief regardless it eventually caused them to sink without a trace. The killer second goal came after they half cleared a Rovers corner and looked to counter but Lee Sutherland’s pass went astray allowing Harper to pick out C Sinclair who arrive at the back of Gary Mackay un-noticed and strode in to steer the ball into the net. Worse was to follow minutes later from the kick off United made a hash of the restart culminating in Ross Sutherland lashing the a pass upfield where Davidson intercepted and floated a long ball, which eluded Steven allowing Lyall to race through steer the ball passed Gray and extinguish any linger hopes of a United revival. Just when it seemed United’s problems couldn’t get any worse Ross Sutherland suffered a serious knee injury stretching to cut out a Cunningham cross with 20 minutes remaining and had to be stretchered off to hospital. The Dunnet were now ragged at best with Rovers well on top and seemingly picking United off at will on the counter as the home side bravely attempted to attack but in forcing the issue they only succeeded in creating slackness and desperation. Harper raced through on Gray and attempted to lob the advancing keeper but the fingertips of the United custodian clawed the ball away. The battle was over and United were now playing for pride and even that was slipping away when in the dying stages Cunningham raced through drew Gray who perhaps should have left his line earlier to challenge for the ball and slipped the ball back for the young substitute to rub the salt in the gaping wound.
Full time
Pentland United 0-4 Wick Rovers
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. R Sutherland (c) (W Inrig 74) 6. D Mackay 7. L Sutherland 8. D Manson 9. J Budge 10. G Budge 11. J Murray
Subs unused
M Smith
G Mackenzie
View from the goal
Well what can you say the better team won no question of that perhaps the score line flattered them slightly considering the early pressure we had in both halves but in general our play hasn’t been good enough recently and this is a perhaps the wake up call we have been needing time will tell. Thoughts are with Rossco and we all wish him a speedy recovery from a nasty injury, which summed up a night best left in the past we now the small matter of trying to beat Wick Groats undefeated and looking impressive so far, no significant problems then, eh.
Half time
Pentland United 0-1 Wick Rovers
The United side started the second period in purposeful mode keen to try and claw back the deficit and retain their unbeaten start but for all their efforts the final ball so often let them down. Darren Mackay was making great runs into enemy territory but unfortunately his shooting was way of target. However the defensive frailties were never to far from sight and Lyall missed a snip in front of goal after Harper did well down the right laying the ball into the path of the striker 8 yards from goal but he failed to connect properly and the ball trickled wide. United still attacked with purpose but the final ball was destroying them either releasing the ball to early or holding on too long while options arrived it was apparent there was a disconnect in the play that could be down to a lack of confidence, composure or even belief regardless it eventually caused them to sink without a trace. The killer second goal came after they half cleared a Rovers corner and looked to counter but Lee Sutherland’s pass went astray allowing Harper to pick out C Sinclair who arrive at the back of Gary Mackay un-noticed and strode in to steer the ball into the net. Worse was to follow minutes later from the kick off United made a hash of the restart culminating in Ross Sutherland lashing the a pass upfield where Davidson intercepted and floated a long ball, which eluded Steven allowing Lyall to race through steer the ball passed Gray and extinguish any linger hopes of a United revival. Just when it seemed United’s problems couldn’t get any worse Ross Sutherland suffered a serious knee injury stretching to cut out a Cunningham cross with 20 minutes remaining and had to be stretchered off to hospital. The Dunnet were now ragged at best with Rovers well on top and seemingly picking United off at will on the counter as the home side bravely attempted to attack but in forcing the issue they only succeeded in creating slackness and desperation. Harper raced through on Gray and attempted to lob the advancing keeper but the fingertips of the United custodian clawed the ball away. The battle was over and United were now playing for pride and even that was slipping away when in the dying stages Cunningham raced through drew Gray who perhaps should have left his line earlier to challenge for the ball and slipped the ball back for the young substitute to rub the salt in the gaping wound.
Full time
Pentland United 0-4 Wick Rovers
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. R Sutherland (c) (W Inrig 74) 6. D Mackay 7. L Sutherland 8. D Manson 9. J Budge 10. G Budge 11. J Murray
Subs unused
M Smith
G Mackenzie
View from the goal
Well what can you say the better team won no question of that perhaps the score line flattered them slightly considering the early pressure we had in both halves but in general our play hasn’t been good enough recently and this is a perhaps the wake up call we have been needing time will tell. Thoughts are with Rossco and we all wish him a speedy recovery from a nasty injury, which summed up a night best left in the past we now the small matter of trying to beat Wick Groats undefeated and looking impressive so far, no significant problems then, eh.