Post by Michael Gray on Aug 23, 2008 21:29:32 GMT
The curtain came down on the Caithness season 2008 in dramatic fashion on Saturday night when Jimmy Budge scored one of the all time great goals to secure Pentland United their third major success of the year in the form of the David Allan Shield over rivals John O’Groats. You would have gotten long odds of United pulling of the win with 8 minutes to go when Sean Henstridge stooped to power home a Willie Ross cross but United rallied and that man Budge popped up with an equaliser within a minute then crowned of a glorious season with the winner 3 minutes from time. John O’Groats won the toss and elected to play against the stiff breeze travelling up from the road end of the ground. Former United man Luke Cassidy had again travelled up to bolster the Groats attack and he had the games first effort after decent play from Martin Sinclair found the former student 18 yards from goal but he rather scuffed his effort. Tony Farquhar was again the focal point of the United attack and he was to give the Groats back line another torrid evening he linked well with Murray down the right after 10 mins and when the ball came into the box it fell to Jimmy Budge who fired a volley over the top from an acute angle. After quarter of an hour Darryn Mackay was forced to leave the field after suffering ahead knock when he collided with Willie Ross attempting to field a high ball. Minutes later Martin Sinclair was given a lecture from referee Elder after a late challenge on keeper Gray who had collected a looping ball from David Mowat. Gary Bell’s set pieces were to be a source of danger for John O’Groats all evening and Bokas, in for the injured Henderson was at full stretch to claw a corner away whipped by the left footed full back. United should have taken the lead mid-way through the half when Inrig broke up play in the centre circle and fed Jimmy Budge who lobbed the ball over the retreating defence for Farquhar to volley quite superbly across goal and it seemed all Murray had to do was reach the ball but the forward screwed his volley wide of the gaping net. On the half hour mark they came even closer when another Bell freekick found the head of Farquhar who knocked the ball down for Jimmy Budge to fire goalwards but only look on as the ball crashed against the post and away to safety. Joint County young player of the year Grant Steven had a lucky escape 5 mins from the break when after muscling Martin Sinclair out of the ball in the left side of the box he rashly cleared across the goalmouth but luckily it evaded all the attackers.
Half time
Pentland United 0-0 JOG
After a fairly low key start to the second period United struck on 50 mins Gary Bell with another wonderfully accurate corner picked out Tony Farquhar and the man from Milton powered home a header from the edge of the 6 yard box. Almost immediately Martin Sinclair, the hero of Halkirk had a chance to level things when he nipped the ball away from Skinner on the edge of the box and broke free but his shot from 16 yards flew over the bar. However J O’Groats were level a couple of minutes before the hour mark when Fearns sent the ball down the left channel, David Mowat stepped over the ball allowing Swanson to whip in a great cross between Gray and Skinner and allowing Cassidy to slide in and finish from 6 yards. Groats at this stage probably enjoyed their best period and Stuart Sinclair (elder) missed a decent opportunity when a Swanson freekick picked out the centre half 8 yards out but his diving header slipped passed Gray’s right hand post with the keeper beaten. The game then evened out again with both teams managing to play pretty decent stuff without really penetrating either defence with any great conviction United were in particular getting into some pretty decent areas but their final ball was atrocious. Groats made a change with just under 20 mins left replacing Stuart Sinclair (elder) with Sean Henstridge and the striker who has been out for sometime nearly created a goal within minutes of entering the park when he managed to pick out Cassidy at the far post but the striker’s attempt lacked power and conviction. United were still getting joy in the wide area’s and Bokas was at full stretch to deal with another Bell freekick that the keeper punched clear. The game swung to the other end moments later when Henstridge forced Gray to tip over the bar after meeting another teasing Swanson cross. Yet no-one could have predicted such a dramatic final ten minutes it started when Willie Ross broke up play in the right back area and strode before whipping in a great cross for that man Henstridge to bullet home a header from 6 yards to spark wild celebrations in front of the local press behind Gray’s goal. United were rattled and needed a quick response and they got it Murray won a corner down the right and that man Bell again whipped in another wicked corner with pinpoint accuracy to the near post Farquhar challenged and the ball flicked to the far post where Jimmy Budge planted a header back across Bokas into the far corner of the net. Just when everyone seemed to resigned to extra time Jimmy Budge checked his watch and realised he was going to be late home as he picked the ball up just inside the Groats half and set on one of the truly memorable runs witnessed for many a year he beat 4 players before racing clear drawing Bokas and finishing with a bending shot that left the keeper with no chance that sparked a mass celebration amongst the United players and faithful, Budge was swamped by his team-mates as referee Elder tried to restore order. There seemed no way back and although Groats showed great spirit in the final few minutes they never looked like troubling Gray and in fact their frustration was epitomised by Henstridge when he earned himself a yellow card for remonstrating with assistant referee Arrowsmith over a disputed goal kick award.
Full time
Pentland United 3-2 JOG
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. J Skinner 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (c) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar 10. J Budge 11. J Murray
Subs not used
Mackenzie
Semple
Morris
View from the goal
Incredible finish to a game and County season as in the Eann Macintosh Cup Final very little to choose between the sides but the goal that did eventually settle the game was fit for a much higher stage. First half I thought we were better and should have had a half time lead but fair play to Groats they held the upper hand between our first goal and 70 mins after that it was even enough but I admit a feeling of deja-vu when they scored late in the game but credit our guys they knuckled down and responded early not letting Groats settle on their lead which was crucial. All the credit to the squad though it has been a terrific season and exceeded all expectations and has been most enjoyable. Like to thank all the supporters not just in the immediate location but from all over their support is greatly appreciated, see you next season.
Half time
Pentland United 0-0 JOG
After a fairly low key start to the second period United struck on 50 mins Gary Bell with another wonderfully accurate corner picked out Tony Farquhar and the man from Milton powered home a header from the edge of the 6 yard box. Almost immediately Martin Sinclair, the hero of Halkirk had a chance to level things when he nipped the ball away from Skinner on the edge of the box and broke free but his shot from 16 yards flew over the bar. However J O’Groats were level a couple of minutes before the hour mark when Fearns sent the ball down the left channel, David Mowat stepped over the ball allowing Swanson to whip in a great cross between Gray and Skinner and allowing Cassidy to slide in and finish from 6 yards. Groats at this stage probably enjoyed their best period and Stuart Sinclair (elder) missed a decent opportunity when a Swanson freekick picked out the centre half 8 yards out but his diving header slipped passed Gray’s right hand post with the keeper beaten. The game then evened out again with both teams managing to play pretty decent stuff without really penetrating either defence with any great conviction United were in particular getting into some pretty decent areas but their final ball was atrocious. Groats made a change with just under 20 mins left replacing Stuart Sinclair (elder) with Sean Henstridge and the striker who has been out for sometime nearly created a goal within minutes of entering the park when he managed to pick out Cassidy at the far post but the striker’s attempt lacked power and conviction. United were still getting joy in the wide area’s and Bokas was at full stretch to deal with another Bell freekick that the keeper punched clear. The game swung to the other end moments later when Henstridge forced Gray to tip over the bar after meeting another teasing Swanson cross. Yet no-one could have predicted such a dramatic final ten minutes it started when Willie Ross broke up play in the right back area and strode before whipping in a great cross for that man Henstridge to bullet home a header from 6 yards to spark wild celebrations in front of the local press behind Gray’s goal. United were rattled and needed a quick response and they got it Murray won a corner down the right and that man Bell again whipped in another wicked corner with pinpoint accuracy to the near post Farquhar challenged and the ball flicked to the far post where Jimmy Budge planted a header back across Bokas into the far corner of the net. Just when everyone seemed to resigned to extra time Jimmy Budge checked his watch and realised he was going to be late home as he picked the ball up just inside the Groats half and set on one of the truly memorable runs witnessed for many a year he beat 4 players before racing clear drawing Bokas and finishing with a bending shot that left the keeper with no chance that sparked a mass celebration amongst the United players and faithful, Budge was swamped by his team-mates as referee Elder tried to restore order. There seemed no way back and although Groats showed great spirit in the final few minutes they never looked like troubling Gray and in fact their frustration was epitomised by Henstridge when he earned himself a yellow card for remonstrating with assistant referee Arrowsmith over a disputed goal kick award.
Full time
Pentland United 3-2 JOG
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. J Skinner 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (c) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar 10. J Budge 11. J Murray
Subs not used
Mackenzie
Semple
Morris
View from the goal
Incredible finish to a game and County season as in the Eann Macintosh Cup Final very little to choose between the sides but the goal that did eventually settle the game was fit for a much higher stage. First half I thought we were better and should have had a half time lead but fair play to Groats they held the upper hand between our first goal and 70 mins after that it was even enough but I admit a feeling of deja-vu when they scored late in the game but credit our guys they knuckled down and responded early not letting Groats settle on their lead which was crucial. All the credit to the squad though it has been a terrific season and exceeded all expectations and has been most enjoyable. Like to thank all the supporters not just in the immediate location but from all over their support is greatly appreciated, see you next season.