Post by Michael Gray on Jun 24, 2008 20:37:21 GMT
Two days after a terrific win pulled themselves back into the title race the gun goes off and United have shot themselves in the foot slumping to another home defeat against Halkirk on this occasion. Don’t let the score line fool you this was a richly deserved win for the men from Sin City who more than matched their opponents all over the park and you could have been confused for asking, which team were challenging at the top and, which at the bottom. United opened up brightly with Grant Budge racing clear after only 5 mins but rather than draw the keeper he elected to shoot early and unfortunately dragged the ball wide. The same player then made great in roads down the left drawing the visitors defence out of position before crossing for the inrushing Darren Mackay who looked set to open the scoring before the outstretched leg of namesake Paul thwarted the attack. The visitors certainly seemed to take heart from the early escapes and had a great opportunity from a set-piece on the edge of the box after Kenny was adjudged to have fouled Campbell, Bremner powerfully struck the ball but it flew passed the post. However Halkirk buoyed by their defeat of Keiss on the Monday were starting to get on top Martin Bain was narrowly off target although whether he meant the effort to head goal wards from such a angle is debateable but Gray was certainly struggling then young Liam Mackay drove one just passed the Gray’s left hand post from twenty yards. Budge again managed to wriggle free as he so often does with great effect he burst into the box on the angle but just as he seemed poised to shot he backheeled the ball expecting back up from one of his team-mates but none was forthcoming and it was easily dealt with. Chances started to dry up after this point although Halkirk probably held the territorial advantage the main source of opportunities were set-pieces but the three corners the visitors won really came to nothing. United were starting to become ragged with composure badly missing as they tried to work little triangles and far to often the front men were badly isolated. James Murray was doing well against Sawyer but far to often that meant coming inside and ultimately he was crowded out and if perhaps he occasionally went the outside it might have been more fruitful however hard to criticise given he was atleast looking dangerous.
Half time
Pentland United 0-0 Halkirk
Any hope manager Gray had of rallying his troops were quickly dispelled when United made the most horrendous start to a half giving cheap fouls away on 2/3 separate occasions in very dangerous positions and how they were not punished was more luck than good judgement I am afraid. Bain was becoming increasingly menacing down the right testing Gary Bell to the limit as United struggled to find any rhythm what so ever. Sawyer on the other side was also starting to impose himself and he had a great run that saw Kenny at full stretch to cut out and Gray gathered on the goal line. Trialist James Paterson was then introduced with Brian Thain being withdrawn as United attempted to match up to the visitors 3-5-2 system and the irony was that United finally did start to get on top Grant Budge fired one wide from inside the box after good play from Murray. Then Jimmy Budge raced through beating McCulloch to the ball but couldn’t direct his shot goalwards. Minutes later James Murray was thwarted by and brilliant block from Swanson as the youngster found space inside the box and his shot looked a winner all the way until the defender threw himself in the way. However it wasn’t one way traffic and Halkirk recovered to take the lead with just over ten minutes remaining and it was all about the direct running of Martin Bain Kenny half cleared the ball away in the left back area but the ball broke to the winger who raced by Bell into the box and cut back from young Paul Mackay to slot passed Gray with ease. United tried to respond pushing on and earned a couple of corners but never really looked like clawing it back. The nearest they came was a Grant Budge header in the dying minutes from a Campbell cross but the effort drifted away. Infact Halkirk could have doubled their lead at the death when Sawyer burst through Gray managed to force him wide and then Kenny blocked his shot however it fell to Mackay who lashed the ball wide from an acute angle
Full time
Pentland United 0-1 Halkirk
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell (D Campbell 80) 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. B Thain (J Paterson 65) 8. W Inrig (c) (S Wilkie 85) 9. J Budge 10. G Budge 11. J Murray
Sub not used
A Budge
View from the goal
It would be easy to sit and make excuses but we were very very poor and got exactly what we deserved nothing. Halkirk were hungrier, more definite and more composed we just seemed devoid of ideas and energy and it is a huge set-back but we now must get our heads down and work and scrap for every available point and see how the cards turn.
Half time
Pentland United 0-0 Halkirk
Any hope manager Gray had of rallying his troops were quickly dispelled when United made the most horrendous start to a half giving cheap fouls away on 2/3 separate occasions in very dangerous positions and how they were not punished was more luck than good judgement I am afraid. Bain was becoming increasingly menacing down the right testing Gary Bell to the limit as United struggled to find any rhythm what so ever. Sawyer on the other side was also starting to impose himself and he had a great run that saw Kenny at full stretch to cut out and Gray gathered on the goal line. Trialist James Paterson was then introduced with Brian Thain being withdrawn as United attempted to match up to the visitors 3-5-2 system and the irony was that United finally did start to get on top Grant Budge fired one wide from inside the box after good play from Murray. Then Jimmy Budge raced through beating McCulloch to the ball but couldn’t direct his shot goalwards. Minutes later James Murray was thwarted by and brilliant block from Swanson as the youngster found space inside the box and his shot looked a winner all the way until the defender threw himself in the way. However it wasn’t one way traffic and Halkirk recovered to take the lead with just over ten minutes remaining and it was all about the direct running of Martin Bain Kenny half cleared the ball away in the left back area but the ball broke to the winger who raced by Bell into the box and cut back from young Paul Mackay to slot passed Gray with ease. United tried to respond pushing on and earned a couple of corners but never really looked like clawing it back. The nearest they came was a Grant Budge header in the dying minutes from a Campbell cross but the effort drifted away. Infact Halkirk could have doubled their lead at the death when Sawyer burst through Gray managed to force him wide and then Kenny blocked his shot however it fell to Mackay who lashed the ball wide from an acute angle
Full time
Pentland United 0-1 Halkirk
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell (D Campbell 80) 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. B Thain (J Paterson 65) 8. W Inrig (c) (S Wilkie 85) 9. J Budge 10. G Budge 11. J Murray
Sub not used
A Budge
View from the goal
It would be easy to sit and make excuses but we were very very poor and got exactly what we deserved nothing. Halkirk were hungrier, more definite and more composed we just seemed devoid of ideas and energy and it is a huge set-back but we now must get our heads down and work and scrap for every available point and see how the cards turn.