Post by Michael Gray on Jun 29, 2008 21:42:41 GMT
United came to Thurso for the first time in domestic business this year to face a combative Acks side battling away and picking up points in the dogfight at the bottom of the league. From the Monday night victory in Lybster United introduced Brian Kenny at centre back replacing the injured Gary Bell in the squad with Scott Wilkie replacing fellow trialist Shaun Swanson. The visitors opened brightly enough forcing an early corner that had Brian Mackay at full stretch to punch clear but were shocked after 8 mins when Acks broke the deadlock A long ball beat Kenny and Wann did brilliantly firstly to flick the ball passed the covering Gary Mackay then to bend the ball with his left foot into the top corner. United were rattled no doubt about it and the goal had given the visitors and extra spring in their step chasing down every last loose ball and making things extremely difficult for United. United drew level ten minutes later Lee Sutherland did really well in the left hand corner accepting a Thain thrown before looping a ball to the far post for James Murray to nod home if anyone thought that United would run riot from this point they were sadly mistaken Acks marshalled well by Murray Coghill were continuing to deliver a spirited perormance. United’s performance just wasn’t clicking up front the Budge brothers were both making great inroads but the final ball seemed to fail them. Grant missed a volley from 8 yards from a Murray corner picked him out at the near post just before the twenty minute mark. Just when United seemed to be slipping into gear though disaster struck another high ball bounced in between Kenny and keeper Gray and as they both left it to each other Innes nipped in to lob the ball expertly over the stranded keeper much to the disgust of manager Gray. The manager then set about re-organising his team swapping Grant Budge and James Murray and it nearly paid off dividends immediately when Murray brilliantly turned Sinclair before unleashing a powerful right foot shot from 25 yards that shaved the post. With 15 minutes left Darren Mackay attempted a spectacular effort on the volley from a G Budge cross but it flew high and wide. United the survived another nervy moment when a far post corner from Moodie landed in between Steven and Macleod, keeper Gray tried to recover the situation but made a bit of a hash of it and the ball pinged about before Willie Inrig stepped in to clear the danger. Minutes later the skipper sent in a dangerous inswinging freekick after Bain and hauled down Darren Mackay, Jimmy Budge rose highest to deftly flick the ball goalwards beating Mackay but unfortunately for the big striker also the far post. However he was back in the thick of things minutes later driving a shot in from 20 yards, which Brian Mackay handled well as United desperately searched for an equaliser. The last action of the half saw Grant Budge warm the keepers gloves again from distance but unfortunately for United the ball spun away from Jimmy as he sniffed out another chance.
Half time
Acks 2-1 Pentland United
United who had obviously been roasted by their manager at half time returned to the pitch with a renewed vigour about their game and should have equalised after only two minutes Gary Mackay set Grant Budge away down the right he beat Miller before crossing for brother Jimbo who struck a volley goalwards only to see it crash off James Murray and away to safety. However the Dunnet men did draw level within ten minutes of the restart when a Darren Mackay cross was controlled by Murray at the right hand corner of the 6 yard box he did a couple of keepie ups before cross for Jimmy Budge to flick the ball on for Grant Budge to volley home from point blank range. And so the pressure started to rise on Acks and it took its toll again 5 minutes later when again Murray did brilliantly down the right driving passed Carle along the byeline he crossed for Jimmy Budge who drew a great save from Mackay but had no luck as the ball rebounded of a defender leaving Murray to double his own tally and put United ahead for the first time in the match. With their confidence rising United continued to press on their advantage and duly increased their lead further on the hour mark Willie Inrig’s corner was repelled as far as Brian Thain who crossed in to the box Darren Mackay attacked the ball improvising brilliantly as the ball bounced up off the turf the midfielder nodded the ball over the keeper from 12 yards. Within minutes it should have been 5 as Grant Budge again wriggled free down the right before whipping the ball across goal it evaded everyone apart from Darren Mackay who retrieved the ball before lashing it back across gaol again no one managed to apply the required touch as it flew back to Grant Budge who repeated the act this time the ball went for a bye kick. The game was sealed with about 20 mins left in the half when a high kick from Gray had Coghill in bother allowing Murray to feed Grant Budge who raced to the bye line before cross for Jimmy Budge to slot home passed the diving Mackay. Acks started to rally at this point Wann earned a freekick after beating a couple of players and drawing a lunge from Inrig who received the games only card for his tackle, Steven Bain took the set piece but it never looked likely to trouble Gray as it flew wide. The rare sight of big Brian Kenny upfield during open play was an eye opener the big centre back getting a one two with Grant Budge before letting fly but never likely to trouble keeper Mackay. The final opportunity of the game came when a long Gray kick cleared the home defence for Grant Budge to run through the striker took the shot on early from 20 yards generating great pace but unfortunately the ball went wide.
Full time
Acks 2-5 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. B Thain 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. B W Inrig (C) (D Manson 75) 8. L Sutherland 9. J Budge (M Smith 72) 10. G Budge 11. J Murray (S Wilkie 81)
Sub not used
View from the goal
Nightmare first half where we actually started fairly positively but got punished for two moments of slackness at the back. However much improved second half and good to see the goals continuing to get spread about. Different kettle of fish on Saturday though huge task give the amount absentee’s we have but it will come down to attitude and desire if we show enough of that no more can anyone ask for
Half time
Acks 2-1 Pentland United
United who had obviously been roasted by their manager at half time returned to the pitch with a renewed vigour about their game and should have equalised after only two minutes Gary Mackay set Grant Budge away down the right he beat Miller before crossing for brother Jimbo who struck a volley goalwards only to see it crash off James Murray and away to safety. However the Dunnet men did draw level within ten minutes of the restart when a Darren Mackay cross was controlled by Murray at the right hand corner of the 6 yard box he did a couple of keepie ups before cross for Jimmy Budge to flick the ball on for Grant Budge to volley home from point blank range. And so the pressure started to rise on Acks and it took its toll again 5 minutes later when again Murray did brilliantly down the right driving passed Carle along the byeline he crossed for Jimmy Budge who drew a great save from Mackay but had no luck as the ball rebounded of a defender leaving Murray to double his own tally and put United ahead for the first time in the match. With their confidence rising United continued to press on their advantage and duly increased their lead further on the hour mark Willie Inrig’s corner was repelled as far as Brian Thain who crossed in to the box Darren Mackay attacked the ball improvising brilliantly as the ball bounced up off the turf the midfielder nodded the ball over the keeper from 12 yards. Within minutes it should have been 5 as Grant Budge again wriggled free down the right before whipping the ball across goal it evaded everyone apart from Darren Mackay who retrieved the ball before lashing it back across gaol again no one managed to apply the required touch as it flew back to Grant Budge who repeated the act this time the ball went for a bye kick. The game was sealed with about 20 mins left in the half when a high kick from Gray had Coghill in bother allowing Murray to feed Grant Budge who raced to the bye line before cross for Jimmy Budge to slot home passed the diving Mackay. Acks started to rally at this point Wann earned a freekick after beating a couple of players and drawing a lunge from Inrig who received the games only card for his tackle, Steven Bain took the set piece but it never looked likely to trouble Gray as it flew wide. The rare sight of big Brian Kenny upfield during open play was an eye opener the big centre back getting a one two with Grant Budge before letting fly but never likely to trouble keeper Mackay. The final opportunity of the game came when a long Gray kick cleared the home defence for Grant Budge to run through the striker took the shot on early from 20 yards generating great pace but unfortunately the ball went wide.
Full time
Acks 2-5 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. B Thain 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. B W Inrig (C) (D Manson 75) 8. L Sutherland 9. J Budge (M Smith 72) 10. G Budge 11. J Murray (S Wilkie 81)
Sub not used
View from the goal
Nightmare first half where we actually started fairly positively but got punished for two moments of slackness at the back. However much improved second half and good to see the goals continuing to get spread about. Different kettle of fish on Saturday though huge task give the amount absentee’s we have but it will come down to attitude and desire if we show enough of that no more can anyone ask for