Post by Michael Gray on May 29, 2008 16:02:14 GMT
United had an early opportunity to avenge the four goal hiding they took from the Rovers just under a fortnight ago. Victory was achieved but a little more luck in front of goal may have avoided the pressure they had to endure for the majority of the second half. Within five minutes Jimmy Budge had crashed a header off the bar when form 6 yards he rose highest to power a James Murray corner but couldn’t on only look on in anguish as the frame of the goal repelled the chance. The home side had definitely started the brighter though Grant Budge on one of his trademark runs left defenders trailing in his wake as he raced into the box but his right foot shot only found the side net. Unavailability and injury meant United had to re-jig the defensive unit yet again exile Martin Baker stepped in at left full back to assist the cause and performed very well although had to take the game’s first booking for stopping Reid firmly in his tracks as the striker looked to be out pacing him around the half way line after quarter of an hour. Grant Budge then had another opportunity after Jimmy had done brilliantly to knock down a long Steven pass into the path of his brother, as per usual the first touch was superb allowing him to race clear unfortunately the ball fell to his weaker left foot and the finish wasn’t of the usual high standard. New signing Cunningham then nearly set away Lyall who looked to be out pacing Gary Mackay but the danger was averted when Grant Steven read the situation and came across to produce a fine last ditch tackle tackle. United took the lead mid way through the half and it was a first goal for young James Murray, Gary Mackay fired in a deep freekick that picked out the youngster who instantly controlled the ball beautifully allowing him to pick his spot from 6 yards. The home side then came under a bit of sustained pressure firstly Harper had a great chance cutting in from the right just when the goal seemed to be opening up for the wideman a combination of Steven and Mackay snuffed out the chance with Gray scrambling to keep the ball in play. The keeper then very nearly caused a goal when racing to field a pass back from Murray he only succeeded in sclaffing his clearance straight to Cunningham who took a touch before lashing a shot wide as Gray rushed back to re-position himself. Macdonald then had a similar opportunity to Harper when he cut in from the left however the man who had opened the scoring with a fizzing shot in the previous game could find a way passed the resolute United back line. But slowly United regained the upper hand and set pieces were proving a good source of opportunity as Gary Mackay found space in the box to head over from 8 yards. Then with 10 minutes left in the half Jimmy Budge was so unlucky after brilliantly reacting to a loose ball the big striker couldn’t believe his luck when the ball just went over. The visitors had the final attempt on goal of the half when Harper rose highest at the far post to meet an inswinging Macdonald centre the winger got enough power but not enough direction and Gray held on comfortably.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Wick Rovers
With Rovers coming down the Ham Park slope it was inevitable that they would enjoy the lion’s share of possession however United’s counter attacking game would prove to be quite effectual with the Budge brothers, although perhaps not enjoying their best games in front of goals, proving a handful in and linking up well. United suffered a blow less than ten minutes into the half when Macdonald rolled Derek Manson who seemed to twist his knee though it did give Willie Inrig the chance to step up his match fitness. The visitors did have a height advantage, which caused problems from set-pieces although the United defenders refused to give anything away cheaply however on the hour mark Davidson found space to send a header goal wards but similarly to Harper’s effort in the first half it went straight at Gray much to the keeper’s delight. Skipper for the night Darren Mackay produced a superb second half display raiding the left hand side of the park with great regularity and supporting the attack at every opportunity. Mid way through the half saw him race clear down the left skip passed A Sinclair’s desperate lung and cut the ball back for the inrushing Jimmy Budge but the elements took over then as the ball skipped up on the top scorer and he never really got any purchase on the effort the ball was half cleared to Grant Budge who danced round Davidson and drove into the box but his left foot shot found the side net. Harper then brought out a save from Gray when C Sinclair found him at the back post with a good switch of play but the winger on this occasion just couldn’t get enough on the ball to send it into the net. The Budge brothers then nearly caught out the Rovers again when Grant did well to release James Murray who had produced a storming performance throughout raced clear to the right hand bye line before teeing up Jimmy who beautifully dragged the ball passed the first two defenders but just when he looked certain to score Davidson produced a vital block. The Rovers were now beginning to gamble and they pushed Cunningham up top to bolster the attack as they pressed in search of a leveller. United had a massive escape with fifteen to go when C Sinclair stepped inside Gary Mackay on the left hand side of the park and floated in a cross that Gray rather flapped at and only really managed to knock 6 yards out where Davidson took first time and sent it over. Rovers best chance of the second half came when a long hopeful ball over the top found the pacey Reid outstripping the home defence and attempting to lob Gray who managed to scramble back and touch away for a corner. With just under ten minutes left Grant Budge put the game out of sight when he won a high ball and raced clear on to his own knockdown bending the ball in from just inside the box with a superb finish. Manager Gray then stripped Michael Smith and Gordon Mackenzie to replace Martin Baker and Jimmy Budge who earned a well deserved rest. The final real chance of the game fell to Colin Davidson again who found space at the back post but on the stretch he couldn’t quite get the ball on target but it was United who progressed.
Full time
Pentland United 2-0 Wick Rovers
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. M Baker (G Mackenzie 82) 6. D Mackay (c) 7. L Sutherland 8. D Manson (W Inrig 54) 9. J Budge (M Smith 82) 10. G Budge 11. J Murray
View from the goal
Very pleasing result as we had suffered a couple of call-offs late on so a little bit of re-jigging was required. The first half I thought we did well and with a little bit of luck we could have been further ahead. However second half we did have to resist some serious pressure but to be fair to the guys they didn’t give away many chances. We move to HA Cup duty on Saturday in a tricky tie with Embo we certainly don’t reminding about the last time the two teams met it was the scene of the worst miss in football history by one Hamish Boyd.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Wick Rovers
With Rovers coming down the Ham Park slope it was inevitable that they would enjoy the lion’s share of possession however United’s counter attacking game would prove to be quite effectual with the Budge brothers, although perhaps not enjoying their best games in front of goals, proving a handful in and linking up well. United suffered a blow less than ten minutes into the half when Macdonald rolled Derek Manson who seemed to twist his knee though it did give Willie Inrig the chance to step up his match fitness. The visitors did have a height advantage, which caused problems from set-pieces although the United defenders refused to give anything away cheaply however on the hour mark Davidson found space to send a header goal wards but similarly to Harper’s effort in the first half it went straight at Gray much to the keeper’s delight. Skipper for the night Darren Mackay produced a superb second half display raiding the left hand side of the park with great regularity and supporting the attack at every opportunity. Mid way through the half saw him race clear down the left skip passed A Sinclair’s desperate lung and cut the ball back for the inrushing Jimmy Budge but the elements took over then as the ball skipped up on the top scorer and he never really got any purchase on the effort the ball was half cleared to Grant Budge who danced round Davidson and drove into the box but his left foot shot found the side net. Harper then brought out a save from Gray when C Sinclair found him at the back post with a good switch of play but the winger on this occasion just couldn’t get enough on the ball to send it into the net. The Budge brothers then nearly caught out the Rovers again when Grant did well to release James Murray who had produced a storming performance throughout raced clear to the right hand bye line before teeing up Jimmy who beautifully dragged the ball passed the first two defenders but just when he looked certain to score Davidson produced a vital block. The Rovers were now beginning to gamble and they pushed Cunningham up top to bolster the attack as they pressed in search of a leveller. United had a massive escape with fifteen to go when C Sinclair stepped inside Gary Mackay on the left hand side of the park and floated in a cross that Gray rather flapped at and only really managed to knock 6 yards out where Davidson took first time and sent it over. Rovers best chance of the second half came when a long hopeful ball over the top found the pacey Reid outstripping the home defence and attempting to lob Gray who managed to scramble back and touch away for a corner. With just under ten minutes left Grant Budge put the game out of sight when he won a high ball and raced clear on to his own knockdown bending the ball in from just inside the box with a superb finish. Manager Gray then stripped Michael Smith and Gordon Mackenzie to replace Martin Baker and Jimmy Budge who earned a well deserved rest. The final real chance of the game fell to Colin Davidson again who found space at the back post but on the stretch he couldn’t quite get the ball on target but it was United who progressed.
Full time
Pentland United 2-0 Wick Rovers
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. M Baker (G Mackenzie 82) 6. D Mackay (c) 7. L Sutherland 8. D Manson (W Inrig 54) 9. J Budge (M Smith 82) 10. G Budge 11. J Murray
View from the goal
Very pleasing result as we had suffered a couple of call-offs late on so a little bit of re-jigging was required. The first half I thought we did well and with a little bit of luck we could have been further ahead. However second half we did have to resist some serious pressure but to be fair to the guys they didn’t give away many chances. We move to HA Cup duty on Saturday in a tricky tie with Embo we certainly don’t reminding about the last time the two teams met it was the scene of the worst miss in football history by one Hamish Boyd.