Post by Michael Gray on May 15, 2009 13:27:22 GMT
United entered Wildcat country for match day 4 of the CAFA first division adventure for the first time this season the starting line-up was unchanged with only change to the squad was Derek Manson dropping out due to work commitments. Halkirk have had a decent start to the season although after a super opening day victory v Castletown they have lost to title challenging Wick Groats and Swifts. The visitors made the breakthrough after less than ten minutes when a high Darryn ‘Daffy’ Mackay corner was partially knocked away by Allan to Morris 8 yards out and he slammed the ball past the despairing efforts on the line for his 4th of the season. Halkirk were shocked and United looked full of confidence knocking the ball about well for the 5 minutes or so before Halkirk grabbed a super equaliser JW Skinner’s pass was intercepted by G Bremner who fed Lee Elder and the striker one on one with Gary Mackay managed to get the better of the defender before poking the ball passed Gray from the tightest of angles into the side net. United were rattled and their country cousins seized the initiative forcing a couple of dangerous set pieces moments but Gavin Bremner’s low driven deliveries were repelled. Paul Mackay then forced Grant Steven into what seemed a certain goal saving challenge after good build up play from Swanson and Michael Bremner found the midfielder bursting into the box but as the joint County young players of the year clashed it was Steven who came out on top on this occasion. In the absence of Willie Inrig, Michael Steven has assumed the captaincy a role he seems to be growing into and this match was definitely his best performance since returning from his year with Brora Rangers. Lee Elder was in the mood no question and he teased away at the United rearguard down the right before standing up a cross to the far post where Swanson challenged United managed to half clear away to the left where Mackay retrieved and sent back into the mix again Grant Steven was there to clear comfortably. United regained the lead on the half hour mark a neat interchange involving Morris, Lee Sutherland and Daffy saw Farquhar burst through and lob the ball over the advancing Allan into the net for a perhaps a fortuitous lead. Fortune did not favour them in the next passage of play however as Blackwood and Allan seemed to get in a little bit of a fankle on the edge of the box under pressure from Farquhar the ball squirmed free and just as it seemed Morris would slide the ball into the empty net he was bundled over but referee Makhouli decided there was no infringement. As the half wore on James Murray started to become increasingly influential beating Gunn on several occasions down the right but just failing to find the killer ball.
Half time
Halkirk 1-2 Pentland United
United opened the half the more positive again Garry Macleod showed good feet and awareness to step away from Swanson down the left but his left foot effort lacked the quality the build up had shown. Farquhar from a similar angle also managed to break free but again the finish never looked like troubling Allan in the home nets. Slowly however Halkirk started to regain the upper hand pushing on in search of an equaliser Steven Campbell whose powerful running is a trademark of the Halkirk side muscled his way to the edge of the area before sweeper JW Skinner intervened as the midfielder lined up his shot. Similarly with just under 20 mins left wingback Graham Gunn made excellent progress down the left getting into a dangerous area but the United rearguard just had enough numbers back to deal with the situation. United made a change in the final quarter of the game as they looked to bolster their line-up Garry Macleod made way for Darren ‘Despy’ Mackay coming on and ‘Daffy’ moving to the left. The home side were definitely enjoying the bilk of the possession but United were countering very well James Murray in particular was showing some fantastic feetwork and it took an excellent intervention from Andrew Bremner to halt a sensational run that left 3 players in his wake down the right as he burst into the area as the midfielder tried to beat the final defender referee Makhouli ruled he had done so illegally and awarded Halkirk a freekick. Both sides then had opportunities from corner kicks in quick succession with Steven Campbell first for Halkirk heading over without too much pressure from the United defence and then Michael Steven meeting a Darryn Mackay corner but Allan grabbed the ball comfortably. Halkirk then vented their fury towards referee Makhouli when Paul Mackay seemed to be bursting towards a Michael Bremner ball down to the right hand side of the box he tangled with ‘Despy’ the ball carried on for a goal kick and that is what the referee gave. United were manging to run the clock down fairly effectively through Marc Begg, James Murray and Tony Farquhar as United looked to take the sting from the home side however a few half chances did come about late on the first to substitue Johnny Mackay. Good work from fellow sub Stevie Elder down the right saw him twist away from Grant Steven before crossing high to the back post Gary Mackay at full stretch managed to partially clear only as far as Mackay who attempted to volley in first time but it was blocked away by JW Skinner. Then in the final moments Lee Elder found space down the right and set in a low cross to the near post where Gunn attempted to send goalwards but United had enough bodies in the vicinity to snuff out the attack and the game for a welcome 3 points.
Full time
Halkirk 1-2 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. J Skinner 4. G Steven 5. G Macleod (Mackay 71) 6. D Mackay 7. M Steven (c) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar 10. S Morris (M Begg 80) 11. J Murray
Sub not used
Gray
View from the goal
It had been emphasised prior to the game just how much we would need to work to earn the three points however not sure some of the guys fully appreciated that until the games was well under way. One goal leads are obviously precarious and we should have perhaps been a little more ruthless in our execution of the final ball as we did seem to get into good positions without ever actually delivering enough telling passes. Thought Michael Steven and James Murray were the stand out performers for the team on the night. Halkirk may feel a little aggrieved at not taking something from the game for their efforts but if they maintain that appetite for the game they will do well.
Half time
Halkirk 1-2 Pentland United
United opened the half the more positive again Garry Macleod showed good feet and awareness to step away from Swanson down the left but his left foot effort lacked the quality the build up had shown. Farquhar from a similar angle also managed to break free but again the finish never looked like troubling Allan in the home nets. Slowly however Halkirk started to regain the upper hand pushing on in search of an equaliser Steven Campbell whose powerful running is a trademark of the Halkirk side muscled his way to the edge of the area before sweeper JW Skinner intervened as the midfielder lined up his shot. Similarly with just under 20 mins left wingback Graham Gunn made excellent progress down the left getting into a dangerous area but the United rearguard just had enough numbers back to deal with the situation. United made a change in the final quarter of the game as they looked to bolster their line-up Garry Macleod made way for Darren ‘Despy’ Mackay coming on and ‘Daffy’ moving to the left. The home side were definitely enjoying the bilk of the possession but United were countering very well James Murray in particular was showing some fantastic feetwork and it took an excellent intervention from Andrew Bremner to halt a sensational run that left 3 players in his wake down the right as he burst into the area as the midfielder tried to beat the final defender referee Makhouli ruled he had done so illegally and awarded Halkirk a freekick. Both sides then had opportunities from corner kicks in quick succession with Steven Campbell first for Halkirk heading over without too much pressure from the United defence and then Michael Steven meeting a Darryn Mackay corner but Allan grabbed the ball comfortably. Halkirk then vented their fury towards referee Makhouli when Paul Mackay seemed to be bursting towards a Michael Bremner ball down to the right hand side of the box he tangled with ‘Despy’ the ball carried on for a goal kick and that is what the referee gave. United were manging to run the clock down fairly effectively through Marc Begg, James Murray and Tony Farquhar as United looked to take the sting from the home side however a few half chances did come about late on the first to substitue Johnny Mackay. Good work from fellow sub Stevie Elder down the right saw him twist away from Grant Steven before crossing high to the back post Gary Mackay at full stretch managed to partially clear only as far as Mackay who attempted to volley in first time but it was blocked away by JW Skinner. Then in the final moments Lee Elder found space down the right and set in a low cross to the near post where Gunn attempted to send goalwards but United had enough bodies in the vicinity to snuff out the attack and the game for a welcome 3 points.
Full time
Halkirk 1-2 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. J Skinner 4. G Steven 5. G Macleod (Mackay 71) 6. D Mackay 7. M Steven (c) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar 10. S Morris (M Begg 80) 11. J Murray
Sub not used
Gray
View from the goal
It had been emphasised prior to the game just how much we would need to work to earn the three points however not sure some of the guys fully appreciated that until the games was well under way. One goal leads are obviously precarious and we should have perhaps been a little more ruthless in our execution of the final ball as we did seem to get into good positions without ever actually delivering enough telling passes. Thought Michael Steven and James Murray were the stand out performers for the team on the night. Halkirk may feel a little aggrieved at not taking something from the game for their efforts but if they maintain that appetite for the game they will do well.