Post by Michael Gray on Jul 27, 2008 15:44:45 GMT
Keiss arrived at Ham Park on the back of a great couple of results v Rovers and Castletown the previous week keen to add to United’s woes in their last home game of the season. As it turned out United produced a polished performance finishing apart and recorded their biggest league win of the season to boot. The home side opened really brightly and it must have been a sense of relief to manager Gray as you can never tell how a team will respond after the disappointment of losing a cup final. United welcomed back Grant Budge, Brian Thain and Scott Wilkie for Tony Farquhar, John Skinner and Gary Bell. The first opportunity was created from a splendid through ball for Darren Mackay who had raced in from the left but he seemed to take a touch with his right foot when his left would have been the better option and the chance was lost as Richard gathered. Lee Sutherland has been one of United’s top performers in recent weeks and his good form continued again in this match and only a despairing block from Richard blocked the midfielder adding to his seasons tally after 10 minutes when he burst right through the heart of the Keiss defence latching on to a Murray through ball but the keeper earned his corn with a brave save 12 yards out. Darren Mackay who was to have quite an eventful evening then was presented with another glorious opportunity when set up by Jimmy Budge he raced in and crashed a shot off the post and the recovering Rosie swept away for a corner just to show there was consistency in the family brother Gary then proceeded to send a header clattering off the top of the bar from skipper Inrig’s corner from 8 yards as a little frustration started to appear in the home ranks. Niwa seemed to be the visitors best outlet down the right and he in quick succession had Brian Thain at full stretch dealing with through ball’s and finally drew a strong challenge from the full back resulting in the game’s first yellow card. United were continuing to carve out chance after chance but either a lack of composure or concentration or perhaps a combination of both was keeping Keiss firmly in the game, the talismatic figure of Grant Budge was next to step up to the plate and fail as he latched on to a quite brilliant through ball from Gary Mackay but instead of controlling the ball and finishing the chance he went for an audacious chip that landed in the keepers arms and the groans from the sidelines were raised another decibel. After half an hour another break from James Murray who was having his best game in recent times ended with Darren Mackay’s effort breaking to skipper Inrig 10 yards out but his left foot drive flew over the top as United continued to dominate proceedings without taking the lead. However finally after 35 minutes the deadlock was broken when a deep inswinging freekick from Darren Mackay picked out Murray at the back post and he bulleted a header passed Richard who was rooted to the spot. Surely the flood gates would open but no, Murray had a great chance to double is tally within minutes running on to a super through ball from Grant Budge but yet again the chance went a begging.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Keiss
After showing so much domination but only having one goal to show for it you had to wonder how United would perform in the second period. However the early signs weren’t great a lovely sweeping move down the right saw Murray drift a delightful ball down the line for Budge who raced clear before crossing for in-rushing Mackay to finish, surely, no it drifted wide. Manager Gray’s receding hairline seemed to be shrinking by the minute but five minutes into the half it recovered slightly Darren Mackay knocked a high ball down to Jimmy Budge who controlled before releasing brother Grant who raced clear and finished with some confidence and move into double figures for the season. So now 2 goals to the good United could relax and play the game with a little confidence, yet again wrong Bremner broke in from the right won a challenge with Inrig and was suddenly clean through on Gray who seemed to have pushed the wide man away to the byeline then caught him as he went passed giving referee Makhouli no choice but to point to the spot, Cormack stepped up to fire home. Again the question begged how would United react well very positively the best move off the match saw the Budge brothers link to release James Murray and from 16 yards he drove the ball high passed Richard in to the top left corner of the net for an immediate response. The youngster then raced away again on to an Inrig through ball and with Jimmy Budge in close attendance he elected to drive low and hard but the keeper had it covered as it went wide much to the dismay of his manager and fellow striker. United started to pull away just after the hour mark a trademark run from Grant Budge drew a rash challenge from Taylor and skipper Willie Inrig made an immaculate job from the spot. Perhaps the loudest cheer although the irony was not lost on the player came with just over 20 mins left in the half when Grant Budge raced to the right byeline and swept in a low cross for Darren Mackay to dive full length on to and head back across the balance of Richard. United were rampant now and the young Keiss side who although sticking to their task were becoming a little bedraggled in certain area’s were further put to the sword as Gray collected a McNab freekick and immediately launched an attack upfield releasing Grant Budge who raced through and finished with a sweet left foot drive across Richard into the far corner for his second but would also be his last part in the game. The final action of the game saw Scott Wilkie get in on the act after good work from Murray showing tremendous composure and ability down the right before crossing for Jimmy Budge who brought out a brilliant save from Richard only for the substitute to react quickest and score his first goal for the club
Full time
Pentland United 7-1 Keiss
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. B Thain 4. G Steven 5 D Manson (G Mackenzie 73) 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (c) (I Semple 69) 8. L Sutherland 9. J Budge 10. J Murray 11. G Budge (S Wilkie 75)
View from the goal
A brilliant response to Saturday’s disappointment although the finishing in the first half especially was woeful but credit to the attitude of the players they never let it affect their belief. They continued in the same vein throughout passing and moving the ball and in the end got their rewards. I will admit there was certainly some apprehension prior to the game given Saturday and Keiss’s recent performances but in the end we deserved our win against a team boasting some promising youngsters.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Keiss
After showing so much domination but only having one goal to show for it you had to wonder how United would perform in the second period. However the early signs weren’t great a lovely sweeping move down the right saw Murray drift a delightful ball down the line for Budge who raced clear before crossing for in-rushing Mackay to finish, surely, no it drifted wide. Manager Gray’s receding hairline seemed to be shrinking by the minute but five minutes into the half it recovered slightly Darren Mackay knocked a high ball down to Jimmy Budge who controlled before releasing brother Grant who raced clear and finished with some confidence and move into double figures for the season. So now 2 goals to the good United could relax and play the game with a little confidence, yet again wrong Bremner broke in from the right won a challenge with Inrig and was suddenly clean through on Gray who seemed to have pushed the wide man away to the byeline then caught him as he went passed giving referee Makhouli no choice but to point to the spot, Cormack stepped up to fire home. Again the question begged how would United react well very positively the best move off the match saw the Budge brothers link to release James Murray and from 16 yards he drove the ball high passed Richard in to the top left corner of the net for an immediate response. The youngster then raced away again on to an Inrig through ball and with Jimmy Budge in close attendance he elected to drive low and hard but the keeper had it covered as it went wide much to the dismay of his manager and fellow striker. United started to pull away just after the hour mark a trademark run from Grant Budge drew a rash challenge from Taylor and skipper Willie Inrig made an immaculate job from the spot. Perhaps the loudest cheer although the irony was not lost on the player came with just over 20 mins left in the half when Grant Budge raced to the right byeline and swept in a low cross for Darren Mackay to dive full length on to and head back across the balance of Richard. United were rampant now and the young Keiss side who although sticking to their task were becoming a little bedraggled in certain area’s were further put to the sword as Gray collected a McNab freekick and immediately launched an attack upfield releasing Grant Budge who raced through and finished with a sweet left foot drive across Richard into the far corner for his second but would also be his last part in the game. The final action of the game saw Scott Wilkie get in on the act after good work from Murray showing tremendous composure and ability down the right before crossing for Jimmy Budge who brought out a brilliant save from Richard only for the substitute to react quickest and score his first goal for the club
Full time
Pentland United 7-1 Keiss
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. B Thain 4. G Steven 5 D Manson (G Mackenzie 73) 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (c) (I Semple 69) 8. L Sutherland 9. J Budge 10. J Murray 11. G Budge (S Wilkie 75)
View from the goal
A brilliant response to Saturday’s disappointment although the finishing in the first half especially was woeful but credit to the attitude of the players they never let it affect their belief. They continued in the same vein throughout passing and moving the ball and in the end got their rewards. I will admit there was certainly some apprehension prior to the game given Saturday and Keiss’s recent performances but in the end we deserved our win against a team boasting some promising youngsters.