Post by Michael Gray on Aug 15, 2008 20:47:55 GMT
The Highland Amateur Cup is the pinnacle of north amateur football and on Saturday it came to Harmsworth Park, Wick for the clash of Dunnet Bay between Pentland United and Castletown. Both sides have had differing fortunes in the tournament with Castletown’s previous longest adventure a semi-final appearance in the first competition whilst United have racked up 5 wins although the last was some 6 years ago. United made two changes from the team that had beaten Golspie the previous week Darryn Mackay replaced Gary Bell in the wide left area and Grant Budge replaced James Murray who had been suffering from a thigh strain all week and was only fit for the bench. Former United man Iain Macdonald opted for a 4-5-1 system trying to free up the danger men in the wide area’s Martin Murray and Chris Sutherland. United significantly won the toss and elected to play against the elements which blew towards the South Road end of the ground and down the infamous slope. Castletown not surprisingly started the brighter and a fine sweeping move down the right saw Sutherland pick out left full back Manson who hit a solid left foot drive that Gray held on his 6 yard line. United responded and came a lot closer when Tony Farquhar flicked the ball on for Grant Budge to race clear, keeper Sinclair left his area to challenge the striker and managed to block the ball out to Darryn Mackay 40 yards from goal he controlled the ball then sent a delightful chip over the retreating keeper but couldn’t believe his luck when it crashed off the face of the bar and away from Farquhar allowing Munro to block the strikers effort once he had actually retrieved the ball. Alan Farquhar always such a huge influence on the Castletown performance then tested Gray from the edge of the box and the keeper spilled the effort, Martin Murray reacted first but the keeper managed to smuggle the ball round the corner but assistant referee Macdonald saved the keeper’s blushes by flagging for offside. It was turning in a pretty decent contest at this point with both teams playing decent stuff knocking the ball around fairly well given the conditions and also being played in a decent spirit. United broke the deadlock after 15 mins and it was all about the perseverance of Lee Sutherland who chased Darryn Mackay’s ball into the box and somehow managed to hook it back off the goal line across goal allowing that man Farquhar to steal a march on Munro and flick the ball passed the despairing Sinclair sparking great celebration amongst the United faithful. Castletown were stung but in fairness continued to hold the upper hand in terms of possession but were struggling to breakdown the resilient United rearguard. Given the defensive unit was solid it was allowing counter attacking game to kick in with Farquhar the focal point bring in the Mackay brothers in the wide area’s and also Skinner and Lee Sutherland supporting with skipper Inrig anchoring the midfield and dictating play. Farquhar set Grant Budge free on 20 mins he ran at Macdonald but the central defender did well to push him wider than he would have hoped and his shot went into the side net. Keeper Gray had another bit of fortune ten minutes before the break When Martin Murray latched on to a fine lay off from Alan Farquhar and fired in a rising shot that Gray parried into the air and could only watch as he lay on his back the ball falling towards him and he gratefully grabbed the ball without pressure. As the half went into the dying stages Castletown did try a more direct approach but with the elements in their favour often than not the ball skidded off the turf and through to either keeper Gray or a bye kick.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Castletown
Both sides re-entered the field unchanged but knowing the next goal would be crucial in determining the destination of the cup. Right from the outset though Castletown’s attacks were having to start from deeper as United started to press up and play far more football in the opposition territory. James Skinner had the first real goal attempt after 55 mins when he let fly with a 30 yard freekick after Farquhar had been hauled to the floor but Sinclair’s handling was assured. Castletown tried to respond and continued to show great spirit but although they were getting into decent positions in the final third there was very little in terms of clear cut chances, Grant Steven was forced into a fine challenge on Niall Murray as he looked to escape the clutches of the young centre back but in all honesty it was slim pickings with their best hope still looking like a shot from distance as both wingers attempted to cut in and shoot but neither really got hold of an effort that was likely to trouble Gray. United made it 2 on the hour mark a James Skinner corner was met by Farquhar a melee then ensued before Lee Sutherland popped up to prod the ball home from inside the 6 yard box to double the Dunnet sides advantage. This was a hammer blow to Castletown already struggling to make decent headway being 1 goal down they were now faced with a two goal deficit and playing against all the conditions. United were now starting to take a real stranglehold on the game James Skinner becoming an ever increasing influence. The game started to get a bit scrappy and referee Nicolson was forced into using the yellow card to try and stop the trend. The sizeable Castletown support continued to try and encourage their team but it was proving difficult as they searched desperately for the vital spark. Gavin Henderson the man who deflated United a few weeks back with a 30 yard thunderbolt did try his best from a similar distance mid-way through the half after John Skinner was adjudged to have brought down Niall Murray however the powerful midfielder rather dragged his effort wide of Gray’s right hand post. In fact if anything a set-piece appeared to be Castletown’s best opportunity to get a way back into the game. Alan Farquhar rose highest to meet a Manson freekick from the left after Gary Mackay was penalised for a foul on Martin Murray but unfortunately for the influential midfielder he failed to find the target. United put the game beyond any doubt with little over quarter of an hour remaining when Grant Budge rifled in a long ranger, it all started when Farquhar again managed to outmuscle the Castletown backline to flick the ball on to Budge down the right the former Lybster had been coming into his own as the game became stretched and starting backing Shearer up as he looked to cut inside but suddenly a drop of the shoulder and an injection of pace and he was inside his marker before unleashing a left foot drive into the roof of the net. Manager Gray then started to shuffle his pack when in quick succession Farquhar, James Skinner and Grant Budge were replaced with James Murray, Gary Bell and Jimmy Budge. The pattern never really altered much Castletown also made alterations but in fairness it was still United who looked the more likely Murray and Budge continued to offer the Castletown backline no respite but the scoring was complete and United secured the Highland Cup for 2008.
Full time
Pentland United 3-0 Castletown
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. R Thomson 4. G Steven 5. JW Skinner 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (c) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar (J Murray 76) 10. James Skinner (G Bell 81) 11. G Budge (J Budge 80)
View from the goal
What incredible season so many new faces and all relatively inexperienced have risen to the occasion whenever called upon. It is most definitely the most prestigious tournament to win in the North of Scotland and our boys should definitely savour it all, as they don’t come around very often. It is hard on Castletown to come so close yet fall at the final hurdle these games often go on the first goal and they did put in an awful lot of effort especially in the early part of the game however as the game went on we became stronger keeping them fairly subdued in the second half.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Castletown
Both sides re-entered the field unchanged but knowing the next goal would be crucial in determining the destination of the cup. Right from the outset though Castletown’s attacks were having to start from deeper as United started to press up and play far more football in the opposition territory. James Skinner had the first real goal attempt after 55 mins when he let fly with a 30 yard freekick after Farquhar had been hauled to the floor but Sinclair’s handling was assured. Castletown tried to respond and continued to show great spirit but although they were getting into decent positions in the final third there was very little in terms of clear cut chances, Grant Steven was forced into a fine challenge on Niall Murray as he looked to escape the clutches of the young centre back but in all honesty it was slim pickings with their best hope still looking like a shot from distance as both wingers attempted to cut in and shoot but neither really got hold of an effort that was likely to trouble Gray. United made it 2 on the hour mark a James Skinner corner was met by Farquhar a melee then ensued before Lee Sutherland popped up to prod the ball home from inside the 6 yard box to double the Dunnet sides advantage. This was a hammer blow to Castletown already struggling to make decent headway being 1 goal down they were now faced with a two goal deficit and playing against all the conditions. United were now starting to take a real stranglehold on the game James Skinner becoming an ever increasing influence. The game started to get a bit scrappy and referee Nicolson was forced into using the yellow card to try and stop the trend. The sizeable Castletown support continued to try and encourage their team but it was proving difficult as they searched desperately for the vital spark. Gavin Henderson the man who deflated United a few weeks back with a 30 yard thunderbolt did try his best from a similar distance mid-way through the half after John Skinner was adjudged to have brought down Niall Murray however the powerful midfielder rather dragged his effort wide of Gray’s right hand post. In fact if anything a set-piece appeared to be Castletown’s best opportunity to get a way back into the game. Alan Farquhar rose highest to meet a Manson freekick from the left after Gary Mackay was penalised for a foul on Martin Murray but unfortunately for the influential midfielder he failed to find the target. United put the game beyond any doubt with little over quarter of an hour remaining when Grant Budge rifled in a long ranger, it all started when Farquhar again managed to outmuscle the Castletown backline to flick the ball on to Budge down the right the former Lybster had been coming into his own as the game became stretched and starting backing Shearer up as he looked to cut inside but suddenly a drop of the shoulder and an injection of pace and he was inside his marker before unleashing a left foot drive into the roof of the net. Manager Gray then started to shuffle his pack when in quick succession Farquhar, James Skinner and Grant Budge were replaced with James Murray, Gary Bell and Jimmy Budge. The pattern never really altered much Castletown also made alterations but in fairness it was still United who looked the more likely Murray and Budge continued to offer the Castletown backline no respite but the scoring was complete and United secured the Highland Cup for 2008.
Full time
Pentland United 3-0 Castletown
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. R Thomson 4. G Steven 5. JW Skinner 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (c) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar (J Murray 76) 10. James Skinner (G Bell 81) 11. G Budge (J Budge 80)
View from the goal
What incredible season so many new faces and all relatively inexperienced have risen to the occasion whenever called upon. It is most definitely the most prestigious tournament to win in the North of Scotland and our boys should definitely savour it all, as they don’t come around very often. It is hard on Castletown to come so close yet fall at the final hurdle these games often go on the first goal and they did put in an awful lot of effort especially in the early part of the game however as the game went on we became stronger keeping them fairly subdued in the second half.