Post by Michael Gray on Jul 13, 2008 20:51:59 GMT
If only games lasted 85 mins we would have managed to secure a brilliant victory in Castletown, as it was a Henderson howitzer shattered that and left us wondering what might have been. However after the first twenty minutes it was hard to see anything apart from a home victory as they seized the initiative and swarmed over their Bay counterparts. Chris Sutherland who has been the scourge of United recently nearly opened the scoring after 8 mins brilliantly turning Kenny to race in and fire a powerful shot that Gray did well to turn round the post. The pacy striker came even closer minutes later when indecision in the United defence saw him break clear again and he fired a fine shot across Gray that crashed off the post and Gray was grateful to recover. However the opener was coming and Alan Farquhar was the man to do it after 15 mins he hi-jacked Brian Kenny’s attempted pass out of defence 20 yards out then strode forward and from the edge of the box bent a superb left foot shot via Gray’s fingertips into the keeper’s top right corner. The Castletown tails were up and all over the park they seemed to be a yard quicker than their opponents. However the ever dangerous James Murray was always a threat and he stepped inside McGill and lashed a shot goalwards from 20 yards that Sinclair parried into the air, Farquhar reacted first but his groan of anguish said it all as the ball landed on the top of the net. However that seemed to encourage United and suddenly they managed to get a foothold in the match a long kick from Gray bounced awkwardly for the home defence and Murray was in like a rocket he stepped inside Munro but rather trod on the ball and as he lay on the ground he somehow managed to shoot that brought out a fine diving save from Sinclair. The equaliser came mid-way through the half when a wonderful Gary Bell freekick saw Farquhar head goalwards Sinclair brought off a fantastic save but big Brian Kenny was on hand to lash the rebound home from close range. This marked a turn in the game, as suddenly United believed they could gain something from the match and Castletown no longer had a spring in their step. On the half hour mark United took the lead and it was all about the persistence of Darren Mackay who robbed Florence on the edge of the United area after the midfielder received a short pass and burst upfield before playing in James Murray the youngster raced into the area and attempted to round Sinclair who half held up the striker but that word persistence came up again and the striker retrieved the ball before lashing it into the net. United then seemed to settle back a little and start inviting their opponents back on top of them Alan Farquhar twice broke into the area and brought fingertip saves out of Gray and perhaps given their sloppiness it was no surprise when the home side equalised right on half time when Henderson broke up play on the left before feeding Sutherland who managed to cut the ball back for Florence 8 yards out and his shot had too much power for Gray who although getting a hand to the ball couldn’t keep it out.
Half time
Castletown 2-2 Pentland United
The spectators had hardly settled back down to the railings when United struck again James Murray robbed namesake Ben 30 yards from goal and raced into the area, the defender then made a rash challenge and brought the striker down and referee John pointed to the spot. This week skipper Willie Inrig assumed the responsibility and fired a textbook penalty into the net. United went on to pretty much hold the upper hand the for the next 30 minutes although both sides were finding clear cut chances very difficult to come by. Martin Murray had a snap shot from the edge of the box, which went straight at Gray to be the only shot on target during that time. United suffered a blow around the hour mark when talisman Tony Farquhar pulled up with a groin problem with Jimmy Budge taking his place up front and the big striker continued where he left of on Monday winning high balls and making a general nuisance of himself. Brian Kenny not content with one goal was looking to add to his collection powering in at the back post to meet a Bell corner but couldn’t quite find the target. Castletown responded and Kenny was harshly adjudged to have brought down Farquhar when it seemed the centre half had played the ball, referee John also ruled it was an offence too many for the towering central defender and promptly cautioned him, Henderson drifted the ball into the box in the general direction of goal but more in hope someone would deflect goalwards but Gary Mackay cleared the danger. Florence quickly followed the centre halves lead when he chopped down Darren Mackay as the midfielder raced away from him. Lee Sutherland missed a difficult chance on the volley with quarter of an hour left when Murray and Grant Budge did well down the right. With ten minutes left brilliant work from Darren Mackay down the left saw him step away from MacGill before crossing to the far post where Murray tried an ambitious volley that flew back in the general direction of Mackay and away for a goal kick. Then a moment of controversy Murray picked the ball up midfield and bent a through ball with the outside of his foot to Jimmy Budge but Darren Mackay called for him to leave it and raced clear of the home defence only to be pulled back for ungentlemenary conduct. Just when it seemed United would force back to back wins over the old rivals disaster struck in the form of Gavin Henderson a throw-in down the left ricocheted out of the left back area to the midfielder who from 25 yards had nothing else on his mind than to let fly with a superb low drive that beat Gray all ends up and square the game. There was still time for a late flurry at both ends firstly Nicholson raced to the byeline and cut a wicked ball across the face of the 6 yard line then at the death a corner has half cleared as far as Darren Mackay on the edge of the 18 yard box but his volley never looked like troubling Sinclair.
Full time
Castletown 3-3 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (C) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar (J Budge 60) 10. J Murray 11. G Budge
Sub not used
M Smith
D Manson
View from the goal
A very sore one to take indeed thought we had done enough to secure victory especially in the second period where we enjoyed the lion’s share of the game. Granted we endured a torrid opening 15-20 minutes when Castletown were very good and held the upper hand but bar a couple of basic errors we more than matched them after that but I guess it is never over until the fat lady sings on to a hugely difficulty 8 days starting Saturday v Back then Monday v Wick Groats, Thurs v Acks and finishing with John O’Groats a week Saturday a hectic schedule but no time for feeling sorry for ourselves.
Half time
Castletown 2-2 Pentland United
The spectators had hardly settled back down to the railings when United struck again James Murray robbed namesake Ben 30 yards from goal and raced into the area, the defender then made a rash challenge and brought the striker down and referee John pointed to the spot. This week skipper Willie Inrig assumed the responsibility and fired a textbook penalty into the net. United went on to pretty much hold the upper hand the for the next 30 minutes although both sides were finding clear cut chances very difficult to come by. Martin Murray had a snap shot from the edge of the box, which went straight at Gray to be the only shot on target during that time. United suffered a blow around the hour mark when talisman Tony Farquhar pulled up with a groin problem with Jimmy Budge taking his place up front and the big striker continued where he left of on Monday winning high balls and making a general nuisance of himself. Brian Kenny not content with one goal was looking to add to his collection powering in at the back post to meet a Bell corner but couldn’t quite find the target. Castletown responded and Kenny was harshly adjudged to have brought down Farquhar when it seemed the centre half had played the ball, referee John also ruled it was an offence too many for the towering central defender and promptly cautioned him, Henderson drifted the ball into the box in the general direction of goal but more in hope someone would deflect goalwards but Gary Mackay cleared the danger. Florence quickly followed the centre halves lead when he chopped down Darren Mackay as the midfielder raced away from him. Lee Sutherland missed a difficult chance on the volley with quarter of an hour left when Murray and Grant Budge did well down the right. With ten minutes left brilliant work from Darren Mackay down the left saw him step away from MacGill before crossing to the far post where Murray tried an ambitious volley that flew back in the general direction of Mackay and away for a goal kick. Then a moment of controversy Murray picked the ball up midfield and bent a through ball with the outside of his foot to Jimmy Budge but Darren Mackay called for him to leave it and raced clear of the home defence only to be pulled back for ungentlemenary conduct. Just when it seemed United would force back to back wins over the old rivals disaster struck in the form of Gavin Henderson a throw-in down the left ricocheted out of the left back area to the midfielder who from 25 yards had nothing else on his mind than to let fly with a superb low drive that beat Gray all ends up and square the game. There was still time for a late flurry at both ends firstly Nicholson raced to the byeline and cut a wicked ball across the face of the 6 yard line then at the death a corner has half cleared as far as Darren Mackay on the edge of the 18 yard box but his volley never looked like troubling Sinclair.
Full time
Castletown 3-3 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (C) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar (J Budge 60) 10. J Murray 11. G Budge
Sub not used
M Smith
D Manson
View from the goal
A very sore one to take indeed thought we had done enough to secure victory especially in the second period where we enjoyed the lion’s share of the game. Granted we endured a torrid opening 15-20 minutes when Castletown were very good and held the upper hand but bar a couple of basic errors we more than matched them after that but I guess it is never over until the fat lady sings on to a hugely difficulty 8 days starting Saturday v Back then Monday v Wick Groats, Thurs v Acks and finishing with John O’Groats a week Saturday a hectic schedule but no time for feeling sorry for ourselves.