Post by Michael Gray on Jul 18, 2008 15:10:46 GMT
United are going through horrendous fixture congestion at the moment this was the second of 5 games in 10 days for the Dunnet side and although at times very lacklustre in front of goal and a bit nervy in defence the overall performance and attitude was very good. The early signs were promising for the crowd that had come to Ham Park both teams playing neat little passing movements and attacking at every opportunity. Brian Kenny from opening his PU account the previous week had an early chance from a Budge corner but his powerful effort flew over. Keeper Gray was keen to try and put the Groats backline under pressure from the high ball especially with Farquhar up front and he sent the big attacker clean through after collecting a Miller freekick and launching the ball over Taylor however the finish was not up to the Milton man’s recent high standard. The visitors had a huge appeal for a penalty turned away by referee Makhouli after 20 mins when Cumming was felled by Darren Mackay but the man in the middle ruled that the midfielder had made contact with the ball before the man. But Cumming was becoming more prominent and he set up another chance swinging an early ball across goal for the inrushing Shearer who was blocked by Gray the ball span out 20 yards to Craig Ross who fired in a low drive just to the right of the United goal. James Murray then missed a chance when he broke free down the right channel just before the half hour mark but Williamson’s hands were assured at the near post. However that man Cumming finally conjured up a goal just after the half hour mark when he switched back on to his left foot to bend an inswinging cross into the near post where Sutherland beat Gary Mackay to delicately flick the ball across Gray into the bottom right corner of the United net for a fine opener. United spurned a great chance almost immediately when Farquhar freed Grant Budge up down the right to race in on goal he tried to bend the ball around Williamson who not only stopped the effort but impressively held the ball as well. Less than ten minutes before the break Darren Mackay tried to bend a shot from 20 yards into the bottom corner with his right foot however it never looked likely to trouble Williamson who comfortably gathered at his right hand post. There was still time for Sutherland to almost deliver a carbon copy of his goal again ghosting in from the far post to rise unchallenged and flick the ball across goal.
Half time
Pentland United 0-1 Wick Groats
United blew a golden opportunity to equalise right a the start of the second half when Farquhar did brilliantly to glide a header through for James Murray to race clear but yet again the required composure was missing as he lashed the ball wide from the edge of the 18 yard box. Groats were now hitting on the counter with the danger man Sutherland striking one from the edge of the box that Gray held comfortably then he forced Kenny into a great defensive block after the forward had beaten Gary Mackay on the touchline and drove into the box. However the flow was steadily turning towards the visitors goal as United ploughed up the Ham Park slope in search of an equaliser, Farquhar and Murray in quick succession broke down the right hand side of the park to the byeline but couldn’t quite find a way through passed the near post. Ten minutes into the second period Grant Budge missed another glorious opportunity when a Smith run across the box saw him just to the right of goal 8 yards out but his finish was wild and suddenly the natives were becoming restless on the sidelines. This was further fuelled when a brilliant Smith run down the right saw him stand a perfect cross to the far post for Farquhar to rise unchallenged but his downward header was easily fielded by Williamson who showed good hands on the goal line. Manager Gray had seen enough he immediately changed formation pushing Grant Budge into a more attacking role and the move paid off dividends with minutes Murray beautifully controlled the ball 30 yards from goal and lofted the ball over the top for Budge to run clear, keeper Williamson came to meet him but he was beaten by a delicate chip that set off a race between Miller and Farquhar but neither reached the ball before it crossed the line. The battering at the door was getting louder and Miller and Taylor were desperately trying to hold their side together at the back but the pressure was beginning to tell again Smith raced down the right and crossed beautifully where it seemed Lee Sutherland would bullet a header goalwards only for team mate Darren Mackay to flick it on over the midfielder. With just over ten minutes left Mackay was again involved racing clear down the right the crowd waited in expectation of a square ball for Murray but the cross was cleared by Taylor then Murray raced clear himself stepping inside Miller before trying to set up Sutherland who couldn’t get a shot in on goal. However disaster nearly struck at the other end when a long hopeful ball bounced awkwardly between Gray and Steven who tried to head back but Sutherland had read it and intercepted to flick the ball over the keeper but it drifted wide. The left off was just the catalyst United required as with 7 minutes left Smith again broke away down the right stepping inside before feeding a fine through ball for Farquhar to race clear and send a brilliant finish across Williamson into the net to spark huge celebrations amongst the United support the irony on that he had scored his most difficult chance was not lost on the crowd either. With less than 5 minutes left United looked to have given themselves breathing space when yet again Smith bolted down away this time down the left before cutting the ball back for Murray to feint one way then the other before poking the ball passed Williamson from 8 yards and again a roar came up from the United support as they sensed the significance of the strike. But would you believe the United backline let Sutherland in again in injury time when Kyle Ross jumped to flick a fine through ball for Sutherland to race clear and volley a fine effort via Gray’s finger tips and the underside of the bar into the net. The final whistle couldn’t come quick enough at this point and it was with huge relief to everyone associated with United when referee Makhouli brought proceedings to a close.
Full time
Pentland United 3-2 Wick Groats
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. A Smith 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (c) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar 10. J Murray 11. G Budge
Subs not used
D Manson
G Mackenzie
J Budge
View from the goal
Valuable 3 points but we will need to tighten up in certain area’s our finishing was nowhere near good enough and neither was our defending. However the attitude and character shown to earn the three points was admirable fighting right to the bitter end for their points. Acks now on Thursday and that will be another stiff test as both sides will be just as desperate for the points.
Half time
Pentland United 0-1 Wick Groats
United blew a golden opportunity to equalise right a the start of the second half when Farquhar did brilliantly to glide a header through for James Murray to race clear but yet again the required composure was missing as he lashed the ball wide from the edge of the 18 yard box. Groats were now hitting on the counter with the danger man Sutherland striking one from the edge of the box that Gray held comfortably then he forced Kenny into a great defensive block after the forward had beaten Gary Mackay on the touchline and drove into the box. However the flow was steadily turning towards the visitors goal as United ploughed up the Ham Park slope in search of an equaliser, Farquhar and Murray in quick succession broke down the right hand side of the park to the byeline but couldn’t quite find a way through passed the near post. Ten minutes into the second period Grant Budge missed another glorious opportunity when a Smith run across the box saw him just to the right of goal 8 yards out but his finish was wild and suddenly the natives were becoming restless on the sidelines. This was further fuelled when a brilliant Smith run down the right saw him stand a perfect cross to the far post for Farquhar to rise unchallenged but his downward header was easily fielded by Williamson who showed good hands on the goal line. Manager Gray had seen enough he immediately changed formation pushing Grant Budge into a more attacking role and the move paid off dividends with minutes Murray beautifully controlled the ball 30 yards from goal and lofted the ball over the top for Budge to run clear, keeper Williamson came to meet him but he was beaten by a delicate chip that set off a race between Miller and Farquhar but neither reached the ball before it crossed the line. The battering at the door was getting louder and Miller and Taylor were desperately trying to hold their side together at the back but the pressure was beginning to tell again Smith raced down the right and crossed beautifully where it seemed Lee Sutherland would bullet a header goalwards only for team mate Darren Mackay to flick it on over the midfielder. With just over ten minutes left Mackay was again involved racing clear down the right the crowd waited in expectation of a square ball for Murray but the cross was cleared by Taylor then Murray raced clear himself stepping inside Miller before trying to set up Sutherland who couldn’t get a shot in on goal. However disaster nearly struck at the other end when a long hopeful ball bounced awkwardly between Gray and Steven who tried to head back but Sutherland had read it and intercepted to flick the ball over the keeper but it drifted wide. The left off was just the catalyst United required as with 7 minutes left Smith again broke away down the right stepping inside before feeding a fine through ball for Farquhar to race clear and send a brilliant finish across Williamson into the net to spark huge celebrations amongst the United support the irony on that he had scored his most difficult chance was not lost on the crowd either. With less than 5 minutes left United looked to have given themselves breathing space when yet again Smith bolted down away this time down the left before cutting the ball back for Murray to feint one way then the other before poking the ball passed Williamson from 8 yards and again a roar came up from the United support as they sensed the significance of the strike. But would you believe the United backline let Sutherland in again in injury time when Kyle Ross jumped to flick a fine through ball for Sutherland to race clear and volley a fine effort via Gray’s finger tips and the underside of the bar into the net. The final whistle couldn’t come quick enough at this point and it was with huge relief to everyone associated with United when referee Makhouli brought proceedings to a close.
Full time
Pentland United 3-2 Wick Groats
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. A Smith 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (c) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar 10. J Murray 11. G Budge
Subs not used
D Manson
G Mackenzie
J Budge
View from the goal
Valuable 3 points but we will need to tighten up in certain area’s our finishing was nowhere near good enough and neither was our defending. However the attitude and character shown to earn the three points was admirable fighting right to the bitter end for their points. Acks now on Thursday and that will be another stiff test as both sides will be just as desperate for the points.