Post by Michael Gray on Apr 22, 2009 7:56:44 GMT
The curtain came up on the Caithness season 2009 in Dunnet last night as United recorded a 4-0 victory over a spirited Pentland side. The visitors had enjoyed a successful pre-season with 3 victories over local rivals Swifts, Acks and Top Joes winning the Thurso league in the process. The home side for various reasons had not managed to secure a fixture so the task without suspended manager Duncan Gray was made that little bit more difficult. The opening exchanges probably favoured the visitors with new signings Scollay and Hamilton working hard to disrupt the home team. The only real effort of note in the first ten minutes was a Munro freekick from 25 yards that Gray held at his right hand post. The recent warm spell has dried the ground out quickly leaving a firey surface. On 20 minutes keeper Anderson was to begin his impressive evening initially touching a powerful Lee Sutherland header from a Bell cross on to the bar and then somehow keeping out Darryn Mackay’s diving header from the rebound when a goal looked certain. With Richardson marshalling the troops at the back Pentlands had a solid look about them with youngsters Clark and Maclean also impressing. The winter has also meant changes to the United squad the Budge brothers and Brian Thain had exited Ham Park whilst a familiar name in Morris, Steven not Kevin along with Garry Macleod, Stevie Gray and the returning Michael Steven had swelled the ranks. The back four, however had a familiar look with big Brian Kenny along side young Grant Steven in central defence with full backs Bell and Mackay providing the exactly same line-up as the start last season in Keiss. United slowly began to build momentum and duly took the lead just before the half hour mark, Gary Bell had provided some tremendous deliveries already when he picked out Brian Kenny the big centre half sent a dangerous header back into the mixer where Michael Steven cracked vicious shot goal wards that was blocked on the line but Lee Sutherland pounced to fire home from 6 yards. United now had the ascendency and Hamilton introduced himself to the local referee’s when he firstly clattered Lee Sutherland and as Garry Macleod broke with options both sides he whipped the former Acks man down. Referee Makhouli duly booked the number 8 along with Macleod for a show of petulance after the foul. A Gary Mackay throw allowed Anderson to again show his reactions when Lee Sutherland rolled Maclean allowing Darryn Mackay a clear sight of goal but his low right foot drive was superbly blocked away by the keeper. The second goal was only delayed momentarily though as Steven Morris opened his account with a powerful header at the far post from another pin point Bell corner. Manager Gray banished from the dugout must have looked on with some satisfaction as his newly assembled side continued to power forward as Pentlands were struggling to stay with them and if anything they whistle came at the wrong time for United.
Half time
Pentland United 2-0 Thurso Pentland
The second half was to be a completely different affair, although United continued to hold the lion’s share of opportunities Pentlands attacked with far more purpose and asked several questions of the United side that certainly never enjoyed things all their own way in the second half. If there was a man of the match trophy few would argue against the visiting keeper as he continued in the same vein in the second period pulling off a smart save at the feet of James Murray after Garry Macleod had sent the youngster in on goal.. Although the Pentlands continued to battle away and probably were taking the plaudits it was United who every now and then opened them up with a passage of play, super one touch football saw Darryn Mackay released down the left he drew the keeper before firing in low again Anderson was equal deflecting the ball to the far post where the inrushing Macleod looked set to knock home only for the keeper to recover again and block away on the line. Maclean and Malcolm continued to be busy in midfield both pushing on and working little openings but clear cut chances were at a premium although they did force a couple of corners in quick succession as the home side continued their inconsistent spell. The third goal in this game was obviously going to be crucial and it duly arrived mid-way through the half in favour of United a deep cross from Darryn Mackay was retrieved by Murray who managed to hook the ball into the danger area for Morris to bundle home from close range and complete a satisfactory opening to the season for him. Shortly after wards United started to ring the changes Derek Manson replacing Morris with Macleod leaving his role on the right hand side to move upfront. The game continued at a decent pace with both teams playing decent football on the ground and moving the ball well when attacking probably the most concerning thing for United was the amount of room Pentlands were finding in midfield. Just over ten minutes remaining James Murray completed the scoring with the goal of the game Garry Macleod picked him out with a ball over the top the young forward took a touch before unleashing a super volley from 20 yards that beat Anderson all ends up even with the keeper in fine form there was no stopping that effort. Veteran Jock Begg and Stevie Gray then replaced Macleod and Michael Steven for the final ten minutes or so. Derek Manson created room for himself cutting in from the left collecting a Darryn Mackay throw-in but his shot was just off target. The final real action off the game came when Macintyre another who played very well on the night made good progress down the right before whipping in a cross for former United man Adam Sutherland to power a header goalwards Gray made the save right handed probably a little more theatrical than was required.
Full time
Pentland United 4-0 Thurso Pentland
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. M Steven (c) (Gray 80) 8. L Sutherland 9. S Morris (Manson 75) 10. G Macleod (Begg 80) 11. J Murray
View from the goal
A decent start ,would have taken the result if offered before the game without a doubt. Was impressed with the way the guys knitted together and performed especially in first half thought second half we became a little disjointed for one reason or another and perhaps could have suffered for that but fortunately we managed to keep the door closed at the back. If Pentlands can maintain that level of effort and improve in a few areas I am sure they will acquit themselves well in the division, as last year I think it will be a very tight division with little to choose from the teams at the top and bottom. Next game is guaranteed to be a tough fixture, always is in Groats so we will have to be at our best to get anything from that game.
Half time
Pentland United 2-0 Thurso Pentland
The second half was to be a completely different affair, although United continued to hold the lion’s share of opportunities Pentlands attacked with far more purpose and asked several questions of the United side that certainly never enjoyed things all their own way in the second half. If there was a man of the match trophy few would argue against the visiting keeper as he continued in the same vein in the second period pulling off a smart save at the feet of James Murray after Garry Macleod had sent the youngster in on goal.. Although the Pentlands continued to battle away and probably were taking the plaudits it was United who every now and then opened them up with a passage of play, super one touch football saw Darryn Mackay released down the left he drew the keeper before firing in low again Anderson was equal deflecting the ball to the far post where the inrushing Macleod looked set to knock home only for the keeper to recover again and block away on the line. Maclean and Malcolm continued to be busy in midfield both pushing on and working little openings but clear cut chances were at a premium although they did force a couple of corners in quick succession as the home side continued their inconsistent spell. The third goal in this game was obviously going to be crucial and it duly arrived mid-way through the half in favour of United a deep cross from Darryn Mackay was retrieved by Murray who managed to hook the ball into the danger area for Morris to bundle home from close range and complete a satisfactory opening to the season for him. Shortly after wards United started to ring the changes Derek Manson replacing Morris with Macleod leaving his role on the right hand side to move upfront. The game continued at a decent pace with both teams playing decent football on the ground and moving the ball well when attacking probably the most concerning thing for United was the amount of room Pentlands were finding in midfield. Just over ten minutes remaining James Murray completed the scoring with the goal of the game Garry Macleod picked him out with a ball over the top the young forward took a touch before unleashing a super volley from 20 yards that beat Anderson all ends up even with the keeper in fine form there was no stopping that effort. Veteran Jock Begg and Stevie Gray then replaced Macleod and Michael Steven for the final ten minutes or so. Derek Manson created room for himself cutting in from the left collecting a Darryn Mackay throw-in but his shot was just off target. The final real action off the game came when Macintyre another who played very well on the night made good progress down the right before whipping in a cross for former United man Adam Sutherland to power a header goalwards Gray made the save right handed probably a little more theatrical than was required.
Full time
Pentland United 4-0 Thurso Pentland
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. M Steven (c) (Gray 80) 8. L Sutherland 9. S Morris (Manson 75) 10. G Macleod (Begg 80) 11. J Murray
View from the goal
A decent start ,would have taken the result if offered before the game without a doubt. Was impressed with the way the guys knitted together and performed especially in first half thought second half we became a little disjointed for one reason or another and perhaps could have suffered for that but fortunately we managed to keep the door closed at the back. If Pentlands can maintain that level of effort and improve in a few areas I am sure they will acquit themselves well in the division, as last year I think it will be a very tight division with little to choose from the teams at the top and bottom. Next game is guaranteed to be a tough fixture, always is in Groats so we will have to be at our best to get anything from that game.