Post by Michael Gray on May 27, 2004 9:47:49 GMT
United met old foes Acks in a re-run of the 2003 David Allan shield final and once again Castletown was the venue for the first opportunity of county silverware in 2004. As so often has been the case in recent weeks a stiff wind travelled down the park in Castletown towards the road obviously handing a massive advantage to the side playing with it at their backs however the playing surface was once again in immaculate condition and conducive to good football. The Thurso side won the toss and decide to play against the wind handing the early advantage to United. The Dunnet men forced a series of early corners as they tried to maximise the climatic benefit they had been handed for first 45 minutes. Swanson made a great early block from Cassidy as the ball dropped to him in front of goal although how much the big keeper actually knew about the save is debateable. After 10 minutes Farquhar had the ball in the net from a Bremner cross although the striker had obviously used a hand in the process and assistant referee Sinclair was right on the spot to flag for the offence. Luke Cassidy was unlucky once again shortly afterwards when he was just off target with a snap shot volley as the ball sat up nicely for him 16 yards out on the angle. After quarter an hour Mackenzie came agonisingly close to opening the scoring after sensational feetwork saw him leave 3 defenders in his wake but he couldn’t believe his luck as his powerful shot from the angle beat Swanson but rebounded to safety of the face of the post. A Warner cross had M Gray in a fankle shortly afterwards as the wind manipulated the flight of the ball and found Coghill on the bye line but his return drifted harmlessly away for a goal kick. After 20 mins a nasty collision between J Mackenzie and Gray left the keeper with blood pouring from a mouth wound and damage to his teeth although he decided to carry on after receiving treatment. Michael Bremner had a real chance after making a breaking run into the area unchallenged but his low drive was deflected away for a corner by the foot of M Gray. This was Acks best spell of the half and wonderful cross from MacDougall had Gray all over the place as he scuttled backwards to flick the ball away from goal and he was mightily relieved to see Coghill’s follow up effort fly high over the bar. Swanson made a good save to deny Farmer at the near post as the midfield man latched on to a Bremner freekick to unleash a rising volley, which the big keeper parried away at the expense of a corner. Murray had a muted appeal for a penalty correctly waved away by referee Duncan on the half hour mark when Boyd was just to strong for the striker in the challenge. Moments later the same player had the best opportunity of the half for the Thurso men when Bremner and Mackenzie linked up well before the ball broke to teh striker he took a touch before driving ball goalwards beating Gray but also his right hand post. The needle that goes along with this fixture was again simmering after the early clash between Gray and Mackenzie so it a real surprise that it took until the 40th minute for the first card to be produced as Nichol chased a long Gray punt he recklessly collided with Swanson leaving the keeper writhing on the ground.
Half-time
Pentland United 0-0 Thurso Acks
With the wind now in their favour Acks started to look more positive in attack with once again Murray and Mackenzie spearheading the attempt to break the deadlock but to the credit of the United defence they were putting up stern resistance Gray and Boyd providing a robust partnership with Skinner sweeping in behind completing the defensive trio. MacDougall had an early opportunity when a Macgregor cross field pass saw him cut inside Inrig on to his weaker right foot but his rising shot never looked likely to trouble Gray. Farquhar was enjoying real success in the air against his marker Sutherland and in many senses was unlucky not to see greater reward for his efforts. A Mackenzie run and driven cross to the near post so nearly saw Cassidy nip across Swanson but he was harshly penalised by referee Duncan as he stretched for the ball. Boyd then entered the referee’s notebook after being penalised again rather harshly for a challenge on Murray the centreback proceeded to knock the ball away only to be shown the yellow card for his efforts this was to prove costly later in the game. His teammate Inrig followed quickly after when he appeared to be fouled on the right touchline and he unwisely decided to offer the referee some advice. The Acks tried to strike back and captain Warner nearly got on the score sheet when during a rare foray forward he unleashed a howitzer from 30 yards than had Gray scrambling but was just off target. Cassidy then latched onto an Inrig pass with a beautiful first touch he opened up the opportunity for himself but his powerful shot was just off target. Green replaced Macgregor as Acks looked to freshen up their side with Coghill shifting to the right hand side of the park. Nichol had a glorious chance to settle the game late on when once again sublime skills down the left saw Mackenzie leave three players in his wake and drift in along the bye line before cutting the ball back for United’s top scorer to drive the ball goalwards but Swanson produced a quite brilliant save deflecting the ball onto the bar with Cassidy just failing to net the rebound. With five minutes left United replaced the hard working Cassidy with Morris as the big striker took his place up front he wouldn’t have realised quite how short lived a spell it would be. However he did have one chance when Mackenzie broke into the box the ball seemed to run away from the winger but Morris latched on to it in a flash and drove the ball goalwards but Warner produced a fine blocking tackle. In the dying minutes of the game controversy reined when assistant referee Sinclair drew the attention of referee Duncan to an off the ball altercation between Mackenzie and Boyd resulting in yellow cards being shown to both players unfortunately for Boyd this was his second and he departed the action leaving his side a man down for extra time period.
Full time
Pentland United 0-0 Thurso Acks
Morris was removed from his attacking position and took over from Boyd in the centre of defence not a position to unfamiliar to the player. Morris was to stroll through the period winning countless tackles and snapping up anything in the air that came his way so much so United barely missed Boyd who himself had turned in a solid display. Acks won the toss and decided to try and hammer home their personnel advantage by playing with the wind. Murray had the best chance for the Acks when again the ball broke to him in the box but he blasted marginally wide with only Gray to beat. MacDougall had almost a carbon copy of his opportunity in normal time as he cut inside Inrig but this time his shot was far too straight and Gray held on with Murray in close attendance. Mackenzie missed a glorious chance to settle the tie he picked up a ball from Gray on half way and set off on a run that mesmerised the Acks defence leaving them trailing in his wake but at the crucial moment he sliced his shot wide with only Swanson to beat.
Half-time E/T
Pentland United 0-0 Thurso Acks
The nerves were becoming all to apparent in the second period with both teams knowing one mistake would be fatal to their chances. A quick break by J Mackenzie saw him pick out Murray with a good pass but Morris was equal to the task as the striker tried to race clear and he mopped up the danger. With penalties looming United forced a series of set pieces Moar did brilliantly nipping the ball away from Morris at the back post as the big man appeared poised to open the scoring from the throw Gray launched the ball back into the danger area from the resulting throw but Farquhar couldn’t quite find the killer blow. So the game went to penalties and with the game tied at 4-4 it was left to former Acks man Gavin Bremner to fire home the winning penalty to spark scenes of delight amongst the management, players and supporters alike.
Acks Pentland United
Lee MacDougall - Missed Brian Gray - Scored
Allan Sutherland - Scored Ryan Farmer - Scored
Phil Green - Scored Willie Inrig - Scored
Michael Bremner - Scored Mark Nichol - Scored
Murray Coghill - Scored Gavin Bremner - Scored
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer 6. G Bremner 7. W Inrig 8. T Farquhar 9. M Nichol 11. L Cassidy (K Morris 85)
Subs not used M Baker R Sutherland D Manson
View from the goal
That was quite simply our best performance of the season an absolutely fantastic attitude shown throughout by each and everyone associated with the club. I thought we were the better side in the game and created enough chances to have won the game within the 90 minutes but a combination of bad luck and good defending kept us out. However we showed great nerve during the shoot-out and a special mention for Gav as he must have been feeling the heat going to take that kick but it never showed as he slotted it away superbly. For just about the first time this season we actually defending like a team and I thought the back 3 played superbly presenting the Acks with very little goal scoring chances. Desperately disappointed for Hamish to be sent off after having such a good game at the back but I am sure it wont have bothered him for long given the result.
I well however mention the local press over the coverage of the game, a certain journalist and I use the word loosely used the game to air childish vendettas against the team and officials in a completely amateurish and embarrassing fashion. Thankfully it has become a large source of amusement to the club over the years and just further adds to evidence against the journalist in question having completely lost his objectivity whenever reporting on PU.
Half-time
Pentland United 0-0 Thurso Acks
With the wind now in their favour Acks started to look more positive in attack with once again Murray and Mackenzie spearheading the attempt to break the deadlock but to the credit of the United defence they were putting up stern resistance Gray and Boyd providing a robust partnership with Skinner sweeping in behind completing the defensive trio. MacDougall had an early opportunity when a Macgregor cross field pass saw him cut inside Inrig on to his weaker right foot but his rising shot never looked likely to trouble Gray. Farquhar was enjoying real success in the air against his marker Sutherland and in many senses was unlucky not to see greater reward for his efforts. A Mackenzie run and driven cross to the near post so nearly saw Cassidy nip across Swanson but he was harshly penalised by referee Duncan as he stretched for the ball. Boyd then entered the referee’s notebook after being penalised again rather harshly for a challenge on Murray the centreback proceeded to knock the ball away only to be shown the yellow card for his efforts this was to prove costly later in the game. His teammate Inrig followed quickly after when he appeared to be fouled on the right touchline and he unwisely decided to offer the referee some advice. The Acks tried to strike back and captain Warner nearly got on the score sheet when during a rare foray forward he unleashed a howitzer from 30 yards than had Gray scrambling but was just off target. Cassidy then latched onto an Inrig pass with a beautiful first touch he opened up the opportunity for himself but his powerful shot was just off target. Green replaced Macgregor as Acks looked to freshen up their side with Coghill shifting to the right hand side of the park. Nichol had a glorious chance to settle the game late on when once again sublime skills down the left saw Mackenzie leave three players in his wake and drift in along the bye line before cutting the ball back for United’s top scorer to drive the ball goalwards but Swanson produced a quite brilliant save deflecting the ball onto the bar with Cassidy just failing to net the rebound. With five minutes left United replaced the hard working Cassidy with Morris as the big striker took his place up front he wouldn’t have realised quite how short lived a spell it would be. However he did have one chance when Mackenzie broke into the box the ball seemed to run away from the winger but Morris latched on to it in a flash and drove the ball goalwards but Warner produced a fine blocking tackle. In the dying minutes of the game controversy reined when assistant referee Sinclair drew the attention of referee Duncan to an off the ball altercation between Mackenzie and Boyd resulting in yellow cards being shown to both players unfortunately for Boyd this was his second and he departed the action leaving his side a man down for extra time period.
Full time
Pentland United 0-0 Thurso Acks
Morris was removed from his attacking position and took over from Boyd in the centre of defence not a position to unfamiliar to the player. Morris was to stroll through the period winning countless tackles and snapping up anything in the air that came his way so much so United barely missed Boyd who himself had turned in a solid display. Acks won the toss and decided to try and hammer home their personnel advantage by playing with the wind. Murray had the best chance for the Acks when again the ball broke to him in the box but he blasted marginally wide with only Gray to beat. MacDougall had almost a carbon copy of his opportunity in normal time as he cut inside Inrig but this time his shot was far too straight and Gray held on with Murray in close attendance. Mackenzie missed a glorious chance to settle the tie he picked up a ball from Gray on half way and set off on a run that mesmerised the Acks defence leaving them trailing in his wake but at the crucial moment he sliced his shot wide with only Swanson to beat.
Half-time E/T
Pentland United 0-0 Thurso Acks
The nerves were becoming all to apparent in the second period with both teams knowing one mistake would be fatal to their chances. A quick break by J Mackenzie saw him pick out Murray with a good pass but Morris was equal to the task as the striker tried to race clear and he mopped up the danger. With penalties looming United forced a series of set pieces Moar did brilliantly nipping the ball away from Morris at the back post as the big man appeared poised to open the scoring from the throw Gray launched the ball back into the danger area from the resulting throw but Farquhar couldn’t quite find the killer blow. So the game went to penalties and with the game tied at 4-4 it was left to former Acks man Gavin Bremner to fire home the winning penalty to spark scenes of delight amongst the management, players and supporters alike.
Acks Pentland United
Lee MacDougall - Missed Brian Gray - Scored
Allan Sutherland - Scored Ryan Farmer - Scored
Phil Green - Scored Willie Inrig - Scored
Michael Bremner - Scored Mark Nichol - Scored
Murray Coghill - Scored Gavin Bremner - Scored
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer 6. G Bremner 7. W Inrig 8. T Farquhar 9. M Nichol 11. L Cassidy (K Morris 85)
Subs not used M Baker R Sutherland D Manson
View from the goal
That was quite simply our best performance of the season an absolutely fantastic attitude shown throughout by each and everyone associated with the club. I thought we were the better side in the game and created enough chances to have won the game within the 90 minutes but a combination of bad luck and good defending kept us out. However we showed great nerve during the shoot-out and a special mention for Gav as he must have been feeling the heat going to take that kick but it never showed as he slotted it away superbly. For just about the first time this season we actually defending like a team and I thought the back 3 played superbly presenting the Acks with very little goal scoring chances. Desperately disappointed for Hamish to be sent off after having such a good game at the back but I am sure it wont have bothered him for long given the result.
I well however mention the local press over the coverage of the game, a certain journalist and I use the word loosely used the game to air childish vendettas against the team and officials in a completely amateurish and embarrassing fashion. Thankfully it has become a large source of amusement to the club over the years and just further adds to evidence against the journalist in question having completely lost his objectivity whenever reporting on PU.