Post by Michael Gray on Jun 5, 2009 10:53:14 GMT
United knew a victory would create a second round tie v Acks who had been victorious the previous night. After the huge disappointment on Saturday the home side had a number changes to the squad as manager Gray aimed to ensure United were not the third first division side to be dumped out by second division opponents after Rovers and Castletown on Tuesday night. The early exchanges were very positive United moving the ball about well and keeping plenty of width in the game via Marc Begg and Gary Bell but the early chances were being passed up most notably Brian Kenny who Bell picked out and the normally deadly centre half screwed his header wide. Bell decided to take matters into his own hands and show everyone how it should be done and opened the scoring after 8 mins although it has to be said in rather bizarre circumstances. Begg had been fouled just inside the visitors half allowing Bell to fire the ball into the danger area everyone challenged for the ball but missed and the ball sailed into the net passed the startled keeper. Bell obviously had a taste for goals as less than five minutes later he had bagged his second and again from a set-piece this time a corner whipping the ball in with pace everyone challenged but no-one made contact and again the ball dropped in the onion bag for a two goal cushion within 15 minutes. Lybster rallied slightly at this point and although two down to they battled away and created a couple of half chances but failed to get anything on target to trouble Gray. Morris and Despy were working very hard up front but failing to get in on the scoring act until the 25th minute when the keeper came to meet a Derek Manson through ball Morris blocked the attempted clearance and duly picked his spot from the angle after recovering the rebound to put his team 3 up. Lybster then suffered a blow when they had to replace their keeper and central defender both picking up injuries in quick succession but to be fair the substitute keeper did very well brilliantly blocking away Steven Morris from 8 yards after good play from Lee Sutherland saw him find space in the box but the keeper used his feet to great effect. Despy then tried a couple of long distance pile drivers as he sought to get his range and open his account. His persistence was rewarded 5 mins before half time when Morris was crudely bundled over in the box by the replacement central defender the number 9 took responsibility ahead of Bell and dispatched the penalty away with the greatest of ease.
Half time
Pentland United 4-0 Lybster
Manager Gray was keen to give his entire squad a decent run-out and replaced Grant Steven with Gordon Mackenzie and with it the shape of the team moving from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2. Although the change of shape took a little time getting used to it United soon started to make inroads through to the Lybster backline great feet work from Marc Begg saw him race into the box draw and the keeper who did a superb job blocking away the young winger much to his frustration. The opening goal of the second half came when a long ball into the box saw Miller bowl over Morris referee Tait saw nothing wrong and the right full back stepped in to try and break clear but only succeeded in running into Daffy who nipped the ball away from him and burst into the area firing home across the keeper. This was to be pretty much his last involvement as Stevie Gray replaced the midfielder and pretty much his first involvement was to earn a penalty when Derek Manson sent a superb through ball over the top for the wide man to race clear nipping the ball away from Miller before the centre half cleaned him out this time referee Tait had no option but to point to the spot this time Bell was not so reserved and stepped up to fire home and grab his hat-trick, incredible. Lee Sutherland was also quickly removed to provide a debut for 14 year old Ryan Begg who stepped into the midfield like a veteran quickly getting on to the ball and making passes perhaps the most impressive debut from a youngster since a young red haired winger called Gray came on in a Gill Shield match aged 13 but immediate comparisons were made with George Best. Number 7 was another strange effort when Despy fired in a freekick over and round the wall from 25 yards the keeper completely misread the situation and it flew high into the net for his second of the game. United were now in full flight with Morris desperately trying to add to his tally but he had not brought his scoring boots with him as he struggled to find the target. Marc Begg was in a similar boat breaking in on 3 occasions but failing to find a way passed the overworked keeper. Despy duly completed his hat-trick with 15 minutes left when Derek Manson spilt the defence between the right back and centre half for him to race in on goal as the keeper hesitated Mackay didn’t and expertly placed the ball out with his reach. Lybster did rally and tried to come forward at all opportunities and the number 11 on the left hand side was not shy in having a go and he had Gray pedalling back to tip over a chipped effort from 25 yards and then minutes later just cleared the bar with another long range effort. Tired of watching his brother squander chances Ryan Begg waded in with number 9 after a slick move found the young midfielder in the box and even though the final ball was slightly behind him he re-adjusted to send a superb left footed shot arcing into the net. However not content with scoring goals he wanted to get in on the creation side of things as well brilliantly splitting the defence down the right in the last minute allowing brother Marc to race clear before crossing for Steven Gray to open his PU account.
Full time
Pentland United 10-0 Lybster
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay (c) 3. G Bell 4. G Steven (Mackenzie 45) 5. B Kenny 6. Darryn Mackay (S Gray 60) 7. D Manson 8. L Sutherland (R Begg 70) 9. Darren Mackay 10. S Morris 11. M Begg
View from the goal
Comfortable victory in the end and some good performances on the night took our chances well everyone apart from Marc Begg and Steven Morris did when they came along. Played in a good spirit especially second half where we applied ourselves a lot better thought in the first half we were wasteful with the ball and failed to use it efficiently. Special mention for the boys who opened their PU accounts especially young Ryan who looked a class act on the night he must lend his boots to Marc in future.
Half time
Pentland United 4-0 Lybster
Manager Gray was keen to give his entire squad a decent run-out and replaced Grant Steven with Gordon Mackenzie and with it the shape of the team moving from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2. Although the change of shape took a little time getting used to it United soon started to make inroads through to the Lybster backline great feet work from Marc Begg saw him race into the box draw and the keeper who did a superb job blocking away the young winger much to his frustration. The opening goal of the second half came when a long ball into the box saw Miller bowl over Morris referee Tait saw nothing wrong and the right full back stepped in to try and break clear but only succeeded in running into Daffy who nipped the ball away from him and burst into the area firing home across the keeper. This was to be pretty much his last involvement as Stevie Gray replaced the midfielder and pretty much his first involvement was to earn a penalty when Derek Manson sent a superb through ball over the top for the wide man to race clear nipping the ball away from Miller before the centre half cleaned him out this time referee Tait had no option but to point to the spot this time Bell was not so reserved and stepped up to fire home and grab his hat-trick, incredible. Lee Sutherland was also quickly removed to provide a debut for 14 year old Ryan Begg who stepped into the midfield like a veteran quickly getting on to the ball and making passes perhaps the most impressive debut from a youngster since a young red haired winger called Gray came on in a Gill Shield match aged 13 but immediate comparisons were made with George Best. Number 7 was another strange effort when Despy fired in a freekick over and round the wall from 25 yards the keeper completely misread the situation and it flew high into the net for his second of the game. United were now in full flight with Morris desperately trying to add to his tally but he had not brought his scoring boots with him as he struggled to find the target. Marc Begg was in a similar boat breaking in on 3 occasions but failing to find a way passed the overworked keeper. Despy duly completed his hat-trick with 15 minutes left when Derek Manson spilt the defence between the right back and centre half for him to race in on goal as the keeper hesitated Mackay didn’t and expertly placed the ball out with his reach. Lybster did rally and tried to come forward at all opportunities and the number 11 on the left hand side was not shy in having a go and he had Gray pedalling back to tip over a chipped effort from 25 yards and then minutes later just cleared the bar with another long range effort. Tired of watching his brother squander chances Ryan Begg waded in with number 9 after a slick move found the young midfielder in the box and even though the final ball was slightly behind him he re-adjusted to send a superb left footed shot arcing into the net. However not content with scoring goals he wanted to get in on the creation side of things as well brilliantly splitting the defence down the right in the last minute allowing brother Marc to race clear before crossing for Steven Gray to open his PU account.
Full time
Pentland United 10-0 Lybster
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay (c) 3. G Bell 4. G Steven (Mackenzie 45) 5. B Kenny 6. Darryn Mackay (S Gray 60) 7. D Manson 8. L Sutherland (R Begg 70) 9. Darren Mackay 10. S Morris 11. M Begg
View from the goal
Comfortable victory in the end and some good performances on the night took our chances well everyone apart from Marc Begg and Steven Morris did when they came along. Played in a good spirit especially second half where we applied ourselves a lot better thought in the first half we were wasteful with the ball and failed to use it efficiently. Special mention for the boys who opened their PU accounts especially young Ryan who looked a class act on the night he must lend his boots to Marc in future.