Post by Michael Gray on Jun 3, 2004 7:32:23 GMT
United ventured south to meet current East of Sutherland league leaders Helmsdale United in the second round of the Highland Amateur Cup on Saturday. The squad was further depleted from the cup final win in Castletown with Luke Cassidy’s decision to represent Melvich in the competition. The managerial team decided to replace the striker with Kevin Morris who made his first start of the 2004 season. Inside 5 minutes United passed up a glorious opportunity when Mackenzie made inroads down the left before dinking a cross into Farquhar who headed towards goal but the ball seemed to take an eternity to travel the six yards allowing Munro to recover and make a good save however Nichol latched on to the rebound only to take a heavy touch taking him away from goal he did recover to turn and fire in a shot that rattled the woodwork before flying away for a goal kick. However the deadlock was broken after ten minutes when a corner from Bremner was only half headed clear my Cairns back towards the midfield man and he swung in a deep cross that Gray met nodding the ball back across goal for Farquhar to volley home from close range. Nichol nearly punished defensive slackness moments later when he intercepted a pass and with very little back lifted unleashed a powerful drive that was only inches off target as United looked to step up the pace. After 20 minutes United extended their lead further and what a goal it was there looked little danger when Boyd ran picked up the ball on the halfway line but he weaved passed MacAulay and Henderson before steadying himself twenty five yards from goal and firing an unstoppable drive into the bottom corner passed the outstretched Munro. United now visibly relaxed made the fatal mistake of taking the foot off the gas. Mackenzie was picked out on the left by a great pass from Bremner but he allowed himself to be shepherded wide by Cairns rather than attacking the goal. Moments later the winger again found space on the left but failed to deliver the quality ball the run deserved as United linked well down both flanks. This was emphasised further on the right when Inrig, Bremner and Boyd all combined to allow the defender a clear run down the touchline his driven cross was repelled by Milton at the near post at the expense of a corner. United blotted their copybook on the half hour mark after such an encouraging start Nichol picked up on half way but failed to find Bremner and with one pass Helmsdale opened them up finding Sweeting one on one with Gray he produced a save low to his left but the shot had too much power and Macrae followed up to fire the ball past the retreating Boyd on the line to give the home side renewed hope. The Canisbay men held a huge height advantage and at set pieces this was more than evident with Gray, Boyd and Morris adding to Nichol and Farquhar in the danger area. Helmsdale had an almighty escape with five minutes left in the half a fine pass from B Gray down the left found Mackenzie he beat his man before venturing into the box and squaring the ball presenting Farquhar with what seemed a simple opportunity but the striker failed to get enough purchase on his finish and Munro recovered well to claw the ball off the line amid appeals the ball had crossed the line.
Half-time
Helmsdale United 1-2 Pentland United
United re-entered the park with a renewed vigour keen to dispel the closing fifteen minutes of the half when they had lowered the standard set earlier in the game. Glorious sunshine on the east coast had left conditions nearly perfect with light wind travelling down the park towards the clock the only hindering factor. As expected the Sutherland outfit also came out all guns blazing trying to find a way to level the tie a freekick on the left edge of the area gave an early opportunity to fire men forward but Morris was dominant in the air and mopped up Henderson’s centre. Ten minutes into the half Mackenzie gave the visitors some breathing space when he broke don the left before cutting in along the edge of the 18 yard box he shimmed before placing a shot low into the bottom right corner that seemed to wrong feet the keeper and re-instate the two goal advantage. This seemed to deflate the home contingent although they continued to battle away however MacAuley took things too far and entered the book for an unsavoury incident when he kicked out at Bremner off the ball in full view of the referee. Helmsdale did have one good chance to haul themselves back into the game when persistent play by Henderson saw him feed Sweeting who beat Morris before running clean in on Gray the striker drew the Gray before clipping the ball passed the keeper but could only look on in anguish as the ball came off the face of the post and B Gray cleared to safety. Nichol passed up a good chance when he latched onto a long clearance from Gray he steadied himself before firing a crisp volley right across the face of the goal. However the striker redeemed himself minutes later turning sharply 25 yards out he strode forward before striking a low shot from into the bottom right corner with Munro helpless once again to all but end the tie as a contest. Bizarrely in almost carbon copy circumstances Farquhar again contrived to miss a glorious opportunity this time Nichol was the provider he made a great run down the right outstripping the defence before squaring for his partner at the far post who from inside the 6 yard box managed to hit the post. United then started introducing the substitutes Sutherland replacing Bremner, Baker replacing Gray and Manson replacing Farquhar in a short period of time. Manson in fact had a decent opportunity after coming on after good play from Mackenzie saw him clip the ball back to the frontman he took a touch but the ball just wouldn’t come down quick enough and Cairns managed to block the effort with a despairing lunge at the ball. The final chance of the game came from that man Boyd obviously still delirious from his first half effort he decided to cut in from his right full back slot and from fully 25 yards he let fly with a left foot drive that never looked like troubling Munro as it sailed high and wide.
Full time
Helmsdale United 1-4 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray ( M Baker 71) 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. G Bremner (R Sutherland 65) 7. W Inrig 8. T Farquhar ( D Manson 78) 9. M Nichol 10. K Morris 11. N Mackenzie
View from the goal
Well we are through and that is the main thing I suppose thought we played really well in spells and created numerous chances but our finishing just wasn’t up to scratch. To be honest I think after the first 20 minutes Helmsdale must have feared the worst as we were cruising at 2-0 and breaking at will but we inexplicably took our foot off the gas became careless and conceded our customary goal. In fairness to Helmsdale they never gave in and competed right to the very end and will have been more than delighted with the performances of some of their younger players. If we are to progress in this competition though we will have to sharpen up in all areas the better quality teams no disrespect to Helmsdale will punish far more severely than Saturday.
Half-time
Helmsdale United 1-2 Pentland United
United re-entered the park with a renewed vigour keen to dispel the closing fifteen minutes of the half when they had lowered the standard set earlier in the game. Glorious sunshine on the east coast had left conditions nearly perfect with light wind travelling down the park towards the clock the only hindering factor. As expected the Sutherland outfit also came out all guns blazing trying to find a way to level the tie a freekick on the left edge of the area gave an early opportunity to fire men forward but Morris was dominant in the air and mopped up Henderson’s centre. Ten minutes into the half Mackenzie gave the visitors some breathing space when he broke don the left before cutting in along the edge of the 18 yard box he shimmed before placing a shot low into the bottom right corner that seemed to wrong feet the keeper and re-instate the two goal advantage. This seemed to deflate the home contingent although they continued to battle away however MacAuley took things too far and entered the book for an unsavoury incident when he kicked out at Bremner off the ball in full view of the referee. Helmsdale did have one good chance to haul themselves back into the game when persistent play by Henderson saw him feed Sweeting who beat Morris before running clean in on Gray the striker drew the Gray before clipping the ball passed the keeper but could only look on in anguish as the ball came off the face of the post and B Gray cleared to safety. Nichol passed up a good chance when he latched onto a long clearance from Gray he steadied himself before firing a crisp volley right across the face of the goal. However the striker redeemed himself minutes later turning sharply 25 yards out he strode forward before striking a low shot from into the bottom right corner with Munro helpless once again to all but end the tie as a contest. Bizarrely in almost carbon copy circumstances Farquhar again contrived to miss a glorious opportunity this time Nichol was the provider he made a great run down the right outstripping the defence before squaring for his partner at the far post who from inside the 6 yard box managed to hit the post. United then started introducing the substitutes Sutherland replacing Bremner, Baker replacing Gray and Manson replacing Farquhar in a short period of time. Manson in fact had a decent opportunity after coming on after good play from Mackenzie saw him clip the ball back to the frontman he took a touch but the ball just wouldn’t come down quick enough and Cairns managed to block the effort with a despairing lunge at the ball. The final chance of the game came from that man Boyd obviously still delirious from his first half effort he decided to cut in from his right full back slot and from fully 25 yards he let fly with a left foot drive that never looked like troubling Munro as it sailed high and wide.
Full time
Helmsdale United 1-4 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray ( M Baker 71) 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. G Bremner (R Sutherland 65) 7. W Inrig 8. T Farquhar ( D Manson 78) 9. M Nichol 10. K Morris 11. N Mackenzie
View from the goal
Well we are through and that is the main thing I suppose thought we played really well in spells and created numerous chances but our finishing just wasn’t up to scratch. To be honest I think after the first 20 minutes Helmsdale must have feared the worst as we were cruising at 2-0 and breaking at will but we inexplicably took our foot off the gas became careless and conceded our customary goal. In fairness to Helmsdale they never gave in and competed right to the very end and will have been more than delighted with the performances of some of their younger players. If we are to progress in this competition though we will have to sharpen up in all areas the better quality teams no disrespect to Helmsdale will punish far more severely than Saturday.