Post by Michael Gray on May 13, 2004 9:33:12 GMT
A glorious day in the Costa del Caithness greeted United into town for their second league visit of the season to the Dammies. Unfortunately the condition of the pitch was quite disgraceful grass over 4 inches long with remnants of the previous cut still visible in clumps around the park. The visitors made one change to their line-up Jocky Begg replacing Nigel Mackenzie on the left with the winger taking a place on the bench. The other major news was Kevin Morris’s return to the squad as he took up his position on the bench alongside Willie Steven who had returned from holiday. Buoyed by a recent upturn in form the Dunnet men entered the game with a renewed confidence however this was to be a false dawn as they turned out another fairly ordinary performance. Early indications of the sloppy performance that was to follow was evident when Boyd threw the ball into Skinner who was under intense pressure from M Murray. The forward robbed the sweeper of the ball and broke away into the box he fed Blair who drove the ball to the bye line before drawing keeper Gray and clipping the ball into the box where Baker cleared from underneath his own bar at the expense of a corner. The resultant corner attracted the keeper into coming for a ball he was never going to reach fortunately for him no one else could either. Nichol created United’s first opening producing a wonderful twist and turn on the half-way line before playing in his striking partner Cassidy however his left foot shot drifted just past the post. Boyd then again inexplicably created another chance for the home side when he blindly passed the ball in the direction of Skinner but only succeeded in finding Niall Murray who drove at the defence before drifting a shot on goal that Gray gathered at the second attempt. Gavin Bremner produced a typical raking pass that found Nichol on the run the big striker took a touch on his chest before volleying a shot on goal that was to straight however the bounce off the ground very nearly deceiving Mackay who recovered the ball as Cassidy tried to nip the ball away. Potter entered referee Mowat’s notebook after two heavy challenges on Bremner in a space of minutes the latter foul giving Skinner the chance to put the ball into the box but his deep freekick eluded everyone as it drifted harmlessly away for a goal kick. The Murray brothers up front were offering good movement upfront for the Workshop’s and they so nearly combined to put the town side ahead when Niall’s reverse pass found Martin but as M Gray spread himself the striker took far to heavy a touch and the ball crossed the byeline. After 25 minutes deep Farmer freekick found Boyd all alone in the area but his header across goal was just to close to Mackay as the keeper claimed the ball on the edge of the 6 yard line. Good link up play down the left between Begg, Gray and Bremner saw the wideman swing in a tantalising cross but Nichol’s header never looked likely to trouble the Workshop goal. Workshop's had the final opportunity of the half when a deep Blair freekick eluded the United defence and Rutherford at the far post stretching as he met the ball as it bounced up off the turf however he failed to get any real power into the effort and Gray clutched the ball gratefully.
Half-time
Dounreay Workshops 0-0 Pentland United
The miserable first half performance saw Begg being replaced by Mackenzie although in fairness any of the eleven could have been hooked by the manager. However the response was immediate as United made the dream start to the second half when Gray powered a Bremner corner goalwards it was blocked on the line only for Cassidy to wheel a volley back at goal again the ball was cleared but referee’s assistant Makhoulli signalled the ball had crossed the line and United were one up within the five minutes of the restart. The Workshops protested long and hard about the decision eventually resulting in Blair receiving a yellow card for carrying his complaints too far. An obvious lift to the visitors gaining a lead they scarcely deserve seemed to add a spring in their step and Farmer had a great chance moments later to double the advantage, Mackenzie beat Carroll down the left before drilling a near post cross, which was partially cleared by R Mackay only as far as the skipper 12 yards out but his bending effort was just to high. Cassidy had another chance from a set-piece to add to his tally a Bremner freekick found Gray who headed the ball back across goal it was knocked high into the air by Fearns and Boyd back headed the ball across goal that allowed Cassidy to steal a yard but he couldn’t quite find the target with his header. On the hour mark United replaced Baker with Morris as they searched to try and get a better grip on the game. Within five minutes they got the crucial second goal when Farmer picked out a quite superb 40 yard pass allowing Mackenzie to cut across Carroll before drawing Mackay and slipping the ball into the bottom corner. Clear cut chances were still at a premium although United did have a few half chances as the half progressed Gray swept a corner from Bremner high over the bar on the half volley as the Workshops committed more men forward in an attempt to retrieve something from the game. With 15 minutes left Steven replaced Nichol who succumbed to a knock he received from Forbes minutes earlier in a like for like substitution. Steven in fact had the ball in the net moments after coming on when he latched on to a Farmer pass before wheeling and firing low past Mackay however his joy was short lived as he realised referee Mowat had blown his whistle for offside. To Workshops credit they continued to pour forward but failed to create any decent openings as the game petered away.
Full-time
Dounreay Workshops 0-2 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. G Bremner 7. M Baker (Morris 63) 8. W Inrig 9. M Nichol (W Steven 76) 10. L Cassidy 11. J Begg (N Mackenzie 45)
Sub not used: Manson
View from the goal
Last night's performance was a major disappointment we played really poorly first half where we our play seemed to lack any real ideas and rhythm. But it was the sheer amount of unforced errors that was the biggest worry simple 10/ 15 yard passes were going astray and most of our problems were self inflicted. However we came through in the end unscathed and ground out a victory we didn’t totally deserve although especially in the second half we did create the only clear cut openings. The opener was hotly disputed and to be honest there was no way I could see but our boys that were in close attendance claimed the ball was well over so it would seem the officials got it right although I am sure the ‘Shops boys would disagree. I thought the ‘Shops turned in a quality battling performance and really if they can consistently turn in such performances results will follow I am sure. We must pick ourselves up for the return match on Monday and try and get back on the rails. The one plus point ‘Big Kev’ pulling on the jersey again great to see the big fella back and hopefully he will have a major contribution to the season as it progresses.
Half-time
Dounreay Workshops 0-0 Pentland United
The miserable first half performance saw Begg being replaced by Mackenzie although in fairness any of the eleven could have been hooked by the manager. However the response was immediate as United made the dream start to the second half when Gray powered a Bremner corner goalwards it was blocked on the line only for Cassidy to wheel a volley back at goal again the ball was cleared but referee’s assistant Makhoulli signalled the ball had crossed the line and United were one up within the five minutes of the restart. The Workshops protested long and hard about the decision eventually resulting in Blair receiving a yellow card for carrying his complaints too far. An obvious lift to the visitors gaining a lead they scarcely deserve seemed to add a spring in their step and Farmer had a great chance moments later to double the advantage, Mackenzie beat Carroll down the left before drilling a near post cross, which was partially cleared by R Mackay only as far as the skipper 12 yards out but his bending effort was just to high. Cassidy had another chance from a set-piece to add to his tally a Bremner freekick found Gray who headed the ball back across goal it was knocked high into the air by Fearns and Boyd back headed the ball across goal that allowed Cassidy to steal a yard but he couldn’t quite find the target with his header. On the hour mark United replaced Baker with Morris as they searched to try and get a better grip on the game. Within five minutes they got the crucial second goal when Farmer picked out a quite superb 40 yard pass allowing Mackenzie to cut across Carroll before drawing Mackay and slipping the ball into the bottom corner. Clear cut chances were still at a premium although United did have a few half chances as the half progressed Gray swept a corner from Bremner high over the bar on the half volley as the Workshops committed more men forward in an attempt to retrieve something from the game. With 15 minutes left Steven replaced Nichol who succumbed to a knock he received from Forbes minutes earlier in a like for like substitution. Steven in fact had the ball in the net moments after coming on when he latched on to a Farmer pass before wheeling and firing low past Mackay however his joy was short lived as he realised referee Mowat had blown his whistle for offside. To Workshops credit they continued to pour forward but failed to create any decent openings as the game petered away.
Full-time
Dounreay Workshops 0-2 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. G Bremner 7. M Baker (Morris 63) 8. W Inrig 9. M Nichol (W Steven 76) 10. L Cassidy 11. J Begg (N Mackenzie 45)
Sub not used: Manson
View from the goal
Last night's performance was a major disappointment we played really poorly first half where we our play seemed to lack any real ideas and rhythm. But it was the sheer amount of unforced errors that was the biggest worry simple 10/ 15 yard passes were going astray and most of our problems were self inflicted. However we came through in the end unscathed and ground out a victory we didn’t totally deserve although especially in the second half we did create the only clear cut openings. The opener was hotly disputed and to be honest there was no way I could see but our boys that were in close attendance claimed the ball was well over so it would seem the officials got it right although I am sure the ‘Shops boys would disagree. I thought the ‘Shops turned in a quality battling performance and really if they can consistently turn in such performances results will follow I am sure. We must pick ourselves up for the return match on Monday and try and get back on the rails. The one plus point ‘Big Kev’ pulling on the jersey again great to see the big fella back and hopefully he will have a major contribution to the season as it progresses.