Post by Michael Gray on Aug 2, 2008 9:58:38 GMT
United arrived in Thurso for their penultimate league game knowing defeat would remove the destiny of their title challenge from their own hands as it turned out they were 5 minutes from another super victory but the late pressure from the Swifts eventually told. Manager Gray opted for a change in formation to face Swifts with a 3-5-2 system being adopted to try cope with the wide capability of the Thurso side however they were handicapped due to the absence of the talismanic figure of Grant Budge. The early stages were evenly fought Jamie Mackenzie produced a fine twist and turn before firing in a good shot that Gray turned round the post for a corner then a combination of Macintosh and keeper Allan thwarted Darren Mackay as he raced into the area. The energy of Gary Mackay was causing Lee MacDougall some problems on the right and he took up a glorious position after 15 minutes running on to a Lee Sutherland through ball but the wing back’s final ball was a let down the two players then had an altercation forcing referee Arrowsmith to intervene after Mackay took exception to MacDougall’s lunge. United were countering very well especially through Farquhar and Murray who seemed to have the measure of the Swifts back line. The opener came mid-way through the half again it was impressive third man running from Darren Mackay that allowed him to burst into the box on to a Farquhar through ball Macintosh managed to turn him away from goal so he laid it back to Inrig on the left edge of the area and he floated in a cross to the far post that Allan under pressure from Gary Mackay couldn’t hold and it was left to James Murray to ram home the rebound. United almost doubled their advantage immediately from a Bell corner but Kenny and Farquhar rather got in each others way attacking the ball and it flew over the top. Swifts tried to hit back a searching Lee MacDougall cross from the left eluded everyone to the far post where Nigel Mackenzie drove in a volley that Gray deflected away with his feet rather unconvincingly but Steven was there to complete the clearance. It had become a good open game with Swifts attacking in the wide area’s especially the right and looking to feed into the strikers and work something with United countering down the flanks exploiting the spaces vacated by the home side. Probably Swifts best chance fell to Macleod after a fine move started by Nigel Mackenzie cutting in from the right he fed into Nichol whose touch released his strike partner but he rather dragged his shot across the diving Gray but only missing by the merest of fractions. The rest of the half was played out in a competitive nature with neither team dominating Swifts probably shading the possession and United with the clear cut chances
Half time
Swifts 0-1 Pentland United
The home side knew that defeat would put paid to their title challenge for another year and were keen to rectify that from the very outset. An early flash point came as Mark Nichol cut in from the right against Grant Steven and went down under the young centre back’s challenge but referee Arrowsmith ruled the forward’s fall to the ground was far to theatrical. United then missed a glorious chance to double their advantage when Darren Mackay and James Murray combined to race clear on to a Sutherland through pass in on keeper Allan but between the delay they closed the chance down allowing the defence to return and when Murray eventually had a shot on goal Steven blocked the ball on the line. However Swifts were starting to turn up the heat Nichol driving in beat Kenny but his low drive from the edge of the area lacked power and direction then came a spell where United seemed to become distracted by some of the decisions given by the assistant referee Gunn who incensed the United contingent with 3or 4 dubious decisions resulting in freekicks for Swifts in excellent attacking area’s fortunately the United defence held firm with Farquhar and Kenny immense in defensive capacities from the high balls coming into the box. Nigel Mackenzie then warmed the gloves of Gray cutting in from the right across the edge of the box before firing in a fine left foot effort that the keeper parried away to his left. Lee Allan had to be alert at the other end when he raced from his box to thwart Gary Mackay after his brother had placed a fine ball in behind the defence for the wing back to run on to but the keeper got there momentarily before Mackay and mopped up the danger. Mid-way through the half though there was a genuine change in the game as the Swifts grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and started applying serious pressure on the United goal and it was taking some tremendous defending to keep them at bay. With little over quarter of an hour remaining assistant referee Gunn then incensed the United support and players further when he gave another contentious decision v John Skinner for handball when it appeared to strike the sweeper in the face. From the resultant set piece Nigel Mackenzie floated in another tantalising ball for Nichol who powered a header at Gray from 8 yards but the keeper blocked with his feet. The visitors almost immediately suffered a huge blow when the energetic Darren Mackay took a sore one on the knee from Robertson and had to be replaced by Thain the substitute almost made an immediate impact when he tried an audacious lob from 40 yards on the angle, which initially had Allan scurrying but eventually drifted wide. However the pressure was still rising and the United defence growing ever more desperate John Skinner managed to deflect away a vicious Macleod volley from the edge of the box with just less than ten minutes remaining. Just when it seemed United would survive Swifts stuck Mackenzie did well down the left racing to the bye line before cutting back for Nichol who brought out a quite tremendous block from Kenny the ball broke to Inrig who tried to help the ball out the area but only succeeded in finding Forbes who rather sclaffed a shot goalwards which trickled through and in off the post for probably on the balance of play a deserved equaliser. The home team then went in search of a winner forcing a series of corners, which was eventually ended when keeper Gray was fouled attempting to field one. The final chance then fell to James Murray after Farquhar was bundled over 20 yards from goal the strikers freekick was on target but Allan showed cool hands to clutch the ball under the bar.
Full time
Swifts 1-1 Pentland United
1.M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. J Skinner 7. W Inrig (c) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar 10. J Murray 11. D Mackay (B Thain 75)
Subs not used
D Manson
G Mackenzie
J Budge
S Wilkie
View from the goal
Disappointing to lose such a late goal again that is becoming a bad habit however hard to argue with the fact the Swifts deserved a draw after the final 20 minutes in which they dominated proceedings aided by our inability to hold on to the ball. The first half was good and both teams contributed to a decent game of football given what was at stake. We must now try and concentrate on the HA Amateur semi v favourites Golspie ahead of another cliffhanger v Rovers next Tuesday.
Half time
Swifts 0-1 Pentland United
The home side knew that defeat would put paid to their title challenge for another year and were keen to rectify that from the very outset. An early flash point came as Mark Nichol cut in from the right against Grant Steven and went down under the young centre back’s challenge but referee Arrowsmith ruled the forward’s fall to the ground was far to theatrical. United then missed a glorious chance to double their advantage when Darren Mackay and James Murray combined to race clear on to a Sutherland through pass in on keeper Allan but between the delay they closed the chance down allowing the defence to return and when Murray eventually had a shot on goal Steven blocked the ball on the line. However Swifts were starting to turn up the heat Nichol driving in beat Kenny but his low drive from the edge of the area lacked power and direction then came a spell where United seemed to become distracted by some of the decisions given by the assistant referee Gunn who incensed the United contingent with 3or 4 dubious decisions resulting in freekicks for Swifts in excellent attacking area’s fortunately the United defence held firm with Farquhar and Kenny immense in defensive capacities from the high balls coming into the box. Nigel Mackenzie then warmed the gloves of Gray cutting in from the right across the edge of the box before firing in a fine left foot effort that the keeper parried away to his left. Lee Allan had to be alert at the other end when he raced from his box to thwart Gary Mackay after his brother had placed a fine ball in behind the defence for the wing back to run on to but the keeper got there momentarily before Mackay and mopped up the danger. Mid-way through the half though there was a genuine change in the game as the Swifts grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and started applying serious pressure on the United goal and it was taking some tremendous defending to keep them at bay. With little over quarter of an hour remaining assistant referee Gunn then incensed the United support and players further when he gave another contentious decision v John Skinner for handball when it appeared to strike the sweeper in the face. From the resultant set piece Nigel Mackenzie floated in another tantalising ball for Nichol who powered a header at Gray from 8 yards but the keeper blocked with his feet. The visitors almost immediately suffered a huge blow when the energetic Darren Mackay took a sore one on the knee from Robertson and had to be replaced by Thain the substitute almost made an immediate impact when he tried an audacious lob from 40 yards on the angle, which initially had Allan scurrying but eventually drifted wide. However the pressure was still rising and the United defence growing ever more desperate John Skinner managed to deflect away a vicious Macleod volley from the edge of the box with just less than ten minutes remaining. Just when it seemed United would survive Swifts stuck Mackenzie did well down the left racing to the bye line before cutting back for Nichol who brought out a quite tremendous block from Kenny the ball broke to Inrig who tried to help the ball out the area but only succeeded in finding Forbes who rather sclaffed a shot goalwards which trickled through and in off the post for probably on the balance of play a deserved equaliser. The home team then went in search of a winner forcing a series of corners, which was eventually ended when keeper Gray was fouled attempting to field one. The final chance then fell to James Murray after Farquhar was bundled over 20 yards from goal the strikers freekick was on target but Allan showed cool hands to clutch the ball under the bar.
Full time
Swifts 1-1 Pentland United
1.M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. J Skinner 7. W Inrig (c) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar 10. J Murray 11. D Mackay (B Thain 75)
Subs not used
D Manson
G Mackenzie
J Budge
S Wilkie
View from the goal
Disappointing to lose such a late goal again that is becoming a bad habit however hard to argue with the fact the Swifts deserved a draw after the final 20 minutes in which they dominated proceedings aided by our inability to hold on to the ball. The first half was good and both teams contributed to a decent game of football given what was at stake. We must now try and concentrate on the HA Amateur semi v favourites Golspie ahead of another cliffhanger v Rovers next Tuesday.