Post by Michael Gray on May 7, 2009 10:48:08 GMT
John O’Groats is a notoriously difficult venue for any team but with the recent history between the sides plus the added defection of Grant Budge the safe bet was on a tasty encounter. As it turned United put in a decent first 25 minutes or so got two nil up then allowed Groats the upper hand for the remainder of the game however manager Gray I am sure would have settled for the three points ahead of this fixture. The United line-up showed a couple of changes from the previous week with Gary ‘Dinger’ Bell and Brian Kenny dropping out replaced by the southern duo of John Skinner and Tony Farquhar. Farquhar was in fact going to pick up where he left off from the previous season with another vital performance and the ‘perfect’ hat-trick. United started the brighter team and made the early running with the midfield trio of Lee Sutherland, Darryn Mackay and Michael Steven holding the upper hand over Campbell and Swanson in the home engine room but chances were at a premium it had to be said. The energy of Steven Morris even this early has been extremely impressive in sharp contrast certainly to his uncle’s work ethic that is for sure but his ability to force defenders into clearances resulted in the opener after pressurising Willie Ross into clearing behind for a corner. Quick thinking from Darryn Mackay and James Murray saw the former find Murray at the corner of the area and he swept in a delightful cross for Farquhar to power home a header from 8 yards and open his account for the season. John O’Groats are a spirited side though and they continued to plug away but their play was lacking a cutting edge with United holding the upper hand and another Mackay corner caused panic in the home ranks after Henderson’s punch only half cleared the danger but a combination of Steven and Sutherland couldn’t capitalise. The visitors had an excellent shout for a penalty just before the 20 min mark when a beautifully flighted freekick from Steven seemed to be perfectly judged for the inrushing Darryn Mackay who went down under a very heavy challenge from behind but referee Elder saw no infringement and waved play on much to the dismay of the United contingent. The second goal did however come just after the mid-way point in the half and it was very much route one stuff but again the contribution of Morris was invaluable, Gray gathered a Sinclair cross and immediately launched a kick down field the pressure of Morris saw Tait only manage to send the ball into the path of Farquhar who raced clear and produced a pin-point lob over the advancing Henderson for a deserved 2 goal cushion. Bizarrely though in similar circumstances to the previous week United seemed to rest on their laurels and suddenly the home side roared back into contention. Grant Budge earned himself a freekick 20 yards from gaol after substitute Derek Manson, on for the injured Murray was harshly adjudged to have brought down the former United man. Budge himself took the freekick bending the ball round the wall but the wrong side of Gray’s right hand post. The current county player of the year then somehow smuggled the ball passed Skinner and Grant Steven in the right back area with United defenders questioning the legality of his method of holding on to the ball whilst on the ground anyway referee Elder ruled in favour of the attacker and he burst to the bye line before clipping the ball across goal, Gray managed to get the slightest of touches before the inrushing Campbell at full stretch headed high and wide. United trooped off at half time content with the score line but fully aware the game was most definitely back on.
Half time
John O’Groats 0-2 Pentland United
The second half began in similar fashion to the way the first had ended Groats trying to push on and enjoying the upper hand in terms of territory but struggling to create clear cut chances. In fact set-pieces looked the best opportunity Groats had for drawing themselves back into the match. An early freekick opportunity again found Campbell in space in the box but his header from 8 yards failed to trouble the keeper. United countered using the outlets of Macleod and Mackay especially to support the front two but they too were finding very little joy. The direct running of Budge was certainly an issue but United seemed to be coping reasonably well with Grant Steven in particular standing up to the task admirably. Just as the home team looked more likely to score United sunk their rivals with a killer third with a fine move involving Garry Macleod, Lee Sutherland and that man Farquhar. The striker turned the defence outside in before planting a left foot shot across Henderson into the keeper’s right hand corner. The game became increasingly scrappy thereafter with very little quality football being produced United’s second change of evening saw Garry Macleod withdrawn and replaced with a familiar surname in PU colours in 17 year old Marc Begg he almost had an immediate impact linking up down the right with Michael Steven and Gary Mackay he sent in a delightful cross to the far post for Derek Manson whose header found the mid-drift of keeper Henderson. Groats were thrown a lifeline with just over 15 mins left when Manson was harshly adjudged to have brought down Munro when there only appeared the slightest of contacts. Full back Tait stepped up firing the ball low to the left of Gray but the keeper guessed correctly and held the ball at the second attempt. As stated earlier the most likely source of joy for Groats looked to be set-pieces and young full-back Munro headed over from an inviting Swanson ball with the visiting defence static. United made their final change with 10 mins remain with Darren Mackay replacing the tiring Michael Steven again the substitute made a positive impact on the game linking well with namesake Darryn he raced away down the left before cutting in and striking a powerful drive at Henderson who clutched the ball well.
Full time
John O’Groats 0-3 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. J Skinner 4. G Steven 5. G Macleod (M Begg 73) 6. D Mackay 7. M Steven (c) (Mackay 80) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar 10. S Morris 11. J Murray (Manson 35)
Sub not used
Gray
View from the goal
The positives from the game were most definitely the three points and a relatively solid defensive performance against as we know a very talented Grant Budge. Disappointingly we never really built on the positive first quarter of the game and in my opinion Groats were probably the better team thereafter but nevertheless it was another welcome 3 points in what is always a difficult venue to get points. Still early days I know but our performances will definitely need to improve as the season goes on and we will have to be a little better in our distribution, work rate and positional sense. A positive note is seeing Darren and Marc making debuts and I am sure they will be big players for us this season.
Half time
John O’Groats 0-2 Pentland United
The second half began in similar fashion to the way the first had ended Groats trying to push on and enjoying the upper hand in terms of territory but struggling to create clear cut chances. In fact set-pieces looked the best opportunity Groats had for drawing themselves back into the match. An early freekick opportunity again found Campbell in space in the box but his header from 8 yards failed to trouble the keeper. United countered using the outlets of Macleod and Mackay especially to support the front two but they too were finding very little joy. The direct running of Budge was certainly an issue but United seemed to be coping reasonably well with Grant Steven in particular standing up to the task admirably. Just as the home team looked more likely to score United sunk their rivals with a killer third with a fine move involving Garry Macleod, Lee Sutherland and that man Farquhar. The striker turned the defence outside in before planting a left foot shot across Henderson into the keeper’s right hand corner. The game became increasingly scrappy thereafter with very little quality football being produced United’s second change of evening saw Garry Macleod withdrawn and replaced with a familiar surname in PU colours in 17 year old Marc Begg he almost had an immediate impact linking up down the right with Michael Steven and Gary Mackay he sent in a delightful cross to the far post for Derek Manson whose header found the mid-drift of keeper Henderson. Groats were thrown a lifeline with just over 15 mins left when Manson was harshly adjudged to have brought down Munro when there only appeared the slightest of contacts. Full back Tait stepped up firing the ball low to the left of Gray but the keeper guessed correctly and held the ball at the second attempt. As stated earlier the most likely source of joy for Groats looked to be set-pieces and young full-back Munro headed over from an inviting Swanson ball with the visiting defence static. United made their final change with 10 mins remain with Darren Mackay replacing the tiring Michael Steven again the substitute made a positive impact on the game linking well with namesake Darryn he raced away down the left before cutting in and striking a powerful drive at Henderson who clutched the ball well.
Full time
John O’Groats 0-3 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. J Skinner 4. G Steven 5. G Macleod (M Begg 73) 6. D Mackay 7. M Steven (c) (Mackay 80) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar 10. S Morris 11. J Murray (Manson 35)
Sub not used
Gray
View from the goal
The positives from the game were most definitely the three points and a relatively solid defensive performance against as we know a very talented Grant Budge. Disappointingly we never really built on the positive first quarter of the game and in my opinion Groats were probably the better team thereafter but nevertheless it was another welcome 3 points in what is always a difficult venue to get points. Still early days I know but our performances will definitely need to improve as the season goes on and we will have to be a little better in our distribution, work rate and positional sense. A positive note is seeing Darren and Marc making debuts and I am sure they will be big players for us this season.