Post by Michael Gray on May 14, 2009 12:36:05 GMT
United opened up their Highland Amateur campaign in familiar surrounds on Friday night when they faced Thurso Pentlands at the first round stage, a fixture that has become something of a habit in recent years. The corresponding fixture last year resulted in a 3-0 victory for United but after a decent showing in the opening fixture in the league United knew this would be far from plain sailing. There was a brisk breeze travelling down the Dammies from the Toll end of the ground for those of you familiar with the park. Both teams started reasonably flat it has to be said with neither showing the necessary or expected urgency to win the game. Macleod warmed up gloves of Mackay on 7 mins when a Darryn Mackay corner was cleared to him 20 yards. Morris then passed up a glorious chance when he latched on to a Farquhar through ball but his chip over the advancing Mackay only found the roof of the net. Farquhar had also missed a decent chance when United made the breakthrough on 20 mins when delightfully play from Murray down the right saw him burst into the box and cut the ball back fro Darryn Mackay to lash the ball home from 8 yards. United were still in a slumber though no real energy being shown and they almost got caught on the half hour mark when Grant Steven hesitated on a through ball allowing Scollay possession but Skinner retrieved the situation before any damage occurred. The second goal came less than ten mins before the break a deep Skinner freekick into the danger area saw Farquhar win the initial ball creating panic and when the ball finally fell into the patch of James Murray he made no mistake with a fine close range volley to slightly ease the frustration United were beginning to suffer from although dominating possession the performance was just not quite right as yet. Rather harshly United added a third minutes before the break to effectively end the contest and it was harsh on keeper Mackay who brought off two fine saves in the lead-up. Michael Steven burst in from the left linking well with Garry Macleod he fired in a low right foot drive that the keeper blocked well at his near post the rebound fell to the same player who again sent the ball goalwards only to be repelled once again by the reflexes of Mackay how at the third time of asking Steven Morris nodded in the loose ball from 6 yards.
Half time
Pentlands 0-3 Pentland United
The breeze seemed to die as the second period got under way neither team boasted any changes although United did seem to possess a slightly increased sense of urgency. Farquhar and Macleod both had half chances on the angle but failed to trouble keeper Mackay. It was now a far more open encounter Pentlands had started to throw more bodies forward and Maclean looked to be taking a far more prominent role in the centre of the park and he was off target from 20 yards ten minutes into the half after good work from Murray. The same player again shot over from a similar position after Adam Sutherland had worked an opening down the left. After an hour the changes started to be rung Darren ‘Despy’ Mackay and Marc Begg replaced Steven Morris and Darryn ‘Daffy’ Mackay. The final goal of the game came mid-way through the half and it was a goal made in Ross-shire as sweeper JW Skinner picked up the loose ball inside his own half before opening up the home defence with a raking 50 yard through ball for Farquhar to run in, round keeper Mackay and tap the ball home. With 20 mins left Manson replaced Lee Sutherland. James Murray moved to a more attacking role then hit one from distance after being picked out by Manson. Since returning from Oz, Despy has had trouble calibrating his boots to the Northern hemisphere climate and this game was further proof more work was required as on his first opportunity to work the home keeper he hit one very high and wide. There was very little to report in the remainder of the game as both team plugged away but failed to really generate any real quality or excitement in the closing stages.
Full time
Pentlands 0-4 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. J Skinner 4. G Steven 5. G Macleod 6. D Mackay (Mackay 71) 7. M Steven (c) 8. L Sutherland (Manson 75) 9. T Farquhar 10. S Morris (M Begg 71) 11. J Murray
Sub not used
Gray
View from the goal
We are through so job done in that sense still feel there is so much more to come from this side and there is no doubt we will be required to deliver more as the season goes on. Now move to Halkirk on Tuesday, which will be a typically tousy affair no question and we will have to match their energy levels if we are to succeed. Thought the Pentlands never played as well as the first encounter but they were missing several key personnel so perhaps that was the reason.
Half time
Pentlands 0-3 Pentland United
The breeze seemed to die as the second period got under way neither team boasted any changes although United did seem to possess a slightly increased sense of urgency. Farquhar and Macleod both had half chances on the angle but failed to trouble keeper Mackay. It was now a far more open encounter Pentlands had started to throw more bodies forward and Maclean looked to be taking a far more prominent role in the centre of the park and he was off target from 20 yards ten minutes into the half after good work from Murray. The same player again shot over from a similar position after Adam Sutherland had worked an opening down the left. After an hour the changes started to be rung Darren ‘Despy’ Mackay and Marc Begg replaced Steven Morris and Darryn ‘Daffy’ Mackay. The final goal of the game came mid-way through the half and it was a goal made in Ross-shire as sweeper JW Skinner picked up the loose ball inside his own half before opening up the home defence with a raking 50 yard through ball for Farquhar to run in, round keeper Mackay and tap the ball home. With 20 mins left Manson replaced Lee Sutherland. James Murray moved to a more attacking role then hit one from distance after being picked out by Manson. Since returning from Oz, Despy has had trouble calibrating his boots to the Northern hemisphere climate and this game was further proof more work was required as on his first opportunity to work the home keeper he hit one very high and wide. There was very little to report in the remainder of the game as both team plugged away but failed to really generate any real quality or excitement in the closing stages.
Full time
Pentlands 0-4 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. J Skinner 4. G Steven 5. G Macleod 6. D Mackay (Mackay 71) 7. M Steven (c) 8. L Sutherland (Manson 75) 9. T Farquhar 10. S Morris (M Begg 71) 11. J Murray
Sub not used
Gray
View from the goal
We are through so job done in that sense still feel there is so much more to come from this side and there is no doubt we will be required to deliver more as the season goes on. Now move to Halkirk on Tuesday, which will be a typically tousy affair no question and we will have to match their energy levels if we are to succeed. Thought the Pentlands never played as well as the first encounter but they were missing several key personnel so perhaps that was the reason.