Post by Michael Gray on May 29, 2009 13:46:38 GMT
United came within 3 minutes of regaining pole position as it was failure to defend a late set-piece adequately saw them drop to third in the race. United welcomed Shane Sutherland north for his debut and the Golspie man was to be a star performer on the night. United elected to play with the breeze in the first half playing up the slope at Ham Park the opening exchanges were even enough but the pace of Sutherland up front for United was obviously going to be a factor from a a very early stage with the Swifts rearguard struggling to cope whenever he was played into space. In fact Sinclair in the visitors goal had to look smart to turn away a bending effort from Sutherland after 10 minutes when he linked with Begg on the right before rifling one in for the top right corner but the Swifts number one did well at the expense of a corner. The response was quick and so nearly brought a opener Mackenzie and MacDougall linked well down the left before Petrie released Nichol his shot deflected off Skinner, Gray half stopped the shot but Nichol gathered on the byeline before sending into the danger area but Grant Steven did tremendously well to clear off the 6 yard line. The home side were getting into decent positions but the final ball just would not fall for them this was summed up after 20 mins when that man Sutherland got on the end of a fine 3 man move involving Bell, Macleod and Daffy twisting on the left corner of the box he delivered a telling cross that only required a touch but even Farquhar straining every limb could not reach the ball. The big striker though should have opened the scoring 5 minutes later when a Sutherland cross picked him out in front of the goal but he rather delayed getting his shot away and was repelled by a combination Macintosh and Sinclair. Swifts have started their league campaign superbly though it has to be said and were proving more than a match for their hosts, Nichol again brought out another fantastic saving tackle from Steven after he pulled to the far post to receive the ball and with a swagger stepped inside Bell but again the young central defender came to the rescue. The Swifts diamond like formation was causing United some problems but on the whole they were coping rather well, however occasionally Petrie would slip the grasp of Macleod and Lee Sutherland in central midfield and just 10 minutes before the break he rose well at the far post to meet a Macgregor cross but never looked like finding the target.
Half time
Pentland United 0-0 Swifts
Both sides re-entered the arena keen to try and snatch the all important opener and United came mightily close after 55 mins when Sutherland crashed a 25 yard freekick off the face off the bar but it just wouldn’t land for a maroon shirt and Swifts survived. Referee Elder was struggling to keep a lid on the game with several meaty challengers flying in although it was more a competitive nature rather than malicious. Nichol and Macleod up front were always willing outlets and t was taking some resolute defending from the United rearguard Skinner and Steven in particular were dealing very well whilst the full backs dealt with the widemen. Needless fouls could have undone United though as first Garry Macleod handled a Mackenzie pass in the left back area ideal for the inswinging foot of Lee MacDougall he duly delivered but Nichol went down under the challenge of Skinner and Gray hurdled the striker to recover the loose ball. Then Bell perhaps rather harshly was penalised for a foul on Macleod again MacDougall stretched the home defence but this time Steven rose highest and cleared the area. Veteran Willie Steven then attacked from the back and was only a foot over with a rasping 25 yard drive after Macleod had stepped in from the right and squared the ball to him.The breakthrough came midway through the half and it was worth the wait Darryn Mackay controlled the ball midway inside his own the half before bending a pass between left back Forbes and sweeper Steven allowing Sutherland to outstrip the defence down the right before thumping into the top corner from the edge of the box leaving Sinclair with no chance. United then rather sat back and allowed the Swifts to start to dominate territory failing to properly utilise good possession to often it was squandered without every hurting the opposition. Having said that they were keeping Swifts down to shots from distance, MacDougall trying his luck from the edge of the box after he cut in from the left fed Nichol and took the return before firing in with his right foot but it flew over. United then had a decent shout for a penalty again it was that man Sutherland this time down the channel between the right back and centre half seemed to knock the ball passed Steven and draw the lunge but referee Graeme Elder had a perfect view and ruled a goal kick. Just as it seemed United had survived disaster struck Mackenzie forced Gray into a save to his left parrying the ball and blocking the rebound from Macleod saw Swifts earn a corner with 3 minutes to go MacDougall swung a in a far post cross that Mackenzie powered back across goal striking keeper Gray who had been tempted by the cross the ball went loose falling to Holmes who stuck out a toe to equalise. Right from the kick-off United went down the other end and earned a freekick right on the edge of the box again Sutherland took it but could not find the net.
Full time
Pentland United 1-1 Swifts
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. J Skinner 6. D Mackay 7. G Macleod 20 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar (c) 10. S Sutherland 11. Begg (Manson 75)
Sub not used
Morris, Mackay, Gray
View from the goal
Overall in terms of possession and territory a draw was fair enough just the timing makes it feel like a defeat. However we have plenty of positives to take from the game and produced some decent stuff and on another day perhaps the chances we created would have gone in. Gone now and we are on a two week leave of league duty to play cup games starting on Saturday against the in-form Groats who are sitting second in the league and doing very well. Quick mention for Shane tremendous performance and goal and was really fit for winning the game but not be on this occasion.
Half time
Pentland United 0-0 Swifts
Both sides re-entered the arena keen to try and snatch the all important opener and United came mightily close after 55 mins when Sutherland crashed a 25 yard freekick off the face off the bar but it just wouldn’t land for a maroon shirt and Swifts survived. Referee Elder was struggling to keep a lid on the game with several meaty challengers flying in although it was more a competitive nature rather than malicious. Nichol and Macleod up front were always willing outlets and t was taking some resolute defending from the United rearguard Skinner and Steven in particular were dealing very well whilst the full backs dealt with the widemen. Needless fouls could have undone United though as first Garry Macleod handled a Mackenzie pass in the left back area ideal for the inswinging foot of Lee MacDougall he duly delivered but Nichol went down under the challenge of Skinner and Gray hurdled the striker to recover the loose ball. Then Bell perhaps rather harshly was penalised for a foul on Macleod again MacDougall stretched the home defence but this time Steven rose highest and cleared the area. Veteran Willie Steven then attacked from the back and was only a foot over with a rasping 25 yard drive after Macleod had stepped in from the right and squared the ball to him.The breakthrough came midway through the half and it was worth the wait Darryn Mackay controlled the ball midway inside his own the half before bending a pass between left back Forbes and sweeper Steven allowing Sutherland to outstrip the defence down the right before thumping into the top corner from the edge of the box leaving Sinclair with no chance. United then rather sat back and allowed the Swifts to start to dominate territory failing to properly utilise good possession to often it was squandered without every hurting the opposition. Having said that they were keeping Swifts down to shots from distance, MacDougall trying his luck from the edge of the box after he cut in from the left fed Nichol and took the return before firing in with his right foot but it flew over. United then had a decent shout for a penalty again it was that man Sutherland this time down the channel between the right back and centre half seemed to knock the ball passed Steven and draw the lunge but referee Graeme Elder had a perfect view and ruled a goal kick. Just as it seemed United had survived disaster struck Mackenzie forced Gray into a save to his left parrying the ball and blocking the rebound from Macleod saw Swifts earn a corner with 3 minutes to go MacDougall swung a in a far post cross that Mackenzie powered back across goal striking keeper Gray who had been tempted by the cross the ball went loose falling to Holmes who stuck out a toe to equalise. Right from the kick-off United went down the other end and earned a freekick right on the edge of the box again Sutherland took it but could not find the net.
Full time
Pentland United 1-1 Swifts
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. J Skinner 6. D Mackay 7. G Macleod 20 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar (c) 10. S Sutherland 11. Begg (Manson 75)
Sub not used
Morris, Mackay, Gray
View from the goal
Overall in terms of possession and territory a draw was fair enough just the timing makes it feel like a defeat. However we have plenty of positives to take from the game and produced some decent stuff and on another day perhaps the chances we created would have gone in. Gone now and we are on a two week leave of league duty to play cup games starting on Saturday against the in-form Groats who are sitting second in the league and doing very well. Quick mention for Shane tremendous performance and goal and was really fit for winning the game but not be on this occasion.