Post by Michael Gray on Jun 3, 2004 13:28:00 GMT
Quite simply the best night of the year so far for football in Dunnet a slight breeze up drifted up the slope but conditions were as near perfect as you are ever likely to meet in Caithness. United made two changes to the team that defeated Helmsdale with Jocky Begg and Luke Cassidy replacing Gavin Bremer and Kevin Morris in the squad. From the outset it was plain that the home side were in the mood Mackenzie swept down the left before feeding Farquhar but the striker shot wide when presented with a clear sight of goal. United had an obvious aerial advantage once again coupled with Gray’s long throw this would prove to be real threat throughout the game. The first opportunity for the defender to test the visiting defence with his great ability to find his team mates from the touchline saw Boyd’s drive deflected for a corner. Cassidy took the flag kick Gray reacted to Farquhar’s shout leaving the ball presenting the man from Milton the opportunity to control the ball before firing past former Thistle keeper McGee. Referee Sinclair turned away huge cries for a penalty when great feet work from Cassidy saw him strip Mackay only to be unceremoniously dumped to the ground by the fullback. Minutes later the man in the middle further enraged the home support when a wonderful through ball from Skinner saw Farquhar in the clear just as he appeared to be about to pick his spot Harper bundled him to the ground with the ball running through to the keeper but again the referee waved play on. United then conjured up one of the moves of the game when Sutherland Inrig combined brilliantly to release Cassidy who whipped in a quite superb cross but Nichol was just unable to find the finishing touch. After 20 mins Rovers equalised against the run of play when fine play down the right from B Davidson saw him tease Gray before crossing for Lyall who got across his marker Boyd to power home a header against the balance of Gray in the home goal from close range to cap a fine move. It almost got worse for the Canisbay men minutes later when a long ball from Mackay saw Gray race from his line to beat Lyall but his clearance was far from convincing and as he scurried back to his line Macdonald fired the ball wide. The Wick side then suffered a blow when midfield man Saleem failed to recover from a knock and had to be replaced. Good combination work from Mackenzie and Gray saw the winger deliver an inviting cross that seemed destined for Boyd’s head before Nichol intervened but he could only knock the ball wide frustrating the centre back. Farquhar was put in the clear ten minutes before half time once again by another quality defence splittiong pass this time from Gray but he dithered too long on the opportunity allowing a combination of Harper and McGee to thwart the attack. However the delay in the lead being restored was only momentary this time Mackenzie was the architect down the left skinning G Davidson before delivering a deep cross that Farquhar netted with easeat the far post. Nichol came agonisingly close to opening his account for the evening when he was released by Farquhar the big striker took a touch before unleashing a powerful drive that beat McGee all ends up but smacked off the face of the post and was cleared to safety.
Half time
Pentland United 2-1 Wick Rovers
The light breeze that had been so refreshing in the first half subsided allowing the dreaded midge to appear causing no end of discomfort to players and supporters alike. Cassidy had the first opportunity of the second half when brilliant play from Inrig down the right saw him outstretch the defence before squaring for the Armadale man but his bullet shot flew across goal and away for a goal kick. Mackenzie was the next to try his luck as United seemed keen to force home their territorial advantage he cut in past his markers and as the chance opened up for him he struck a decent low drive that McGee handled comfortably. United opened up a two goal advantage after 58 mins with a superb sweeping move and it started on the edge of their own box where B Gray did extremely well to cut out a through ball, Farmer retrieved the ball and fed Nichol who turned sharply before releasing Cassidy who sprinted clear and delivered a brilliant cross which Farquhar dispatched goalwards only to see McGee produce a great stop only for Stoodsy to react first and complete his hat-trick. On the hour mark Baker replaced Inrig who appeared to have taken a knock moments earlier so it was decided to take no chances and replace the influential midfielder. Farquhar then had great chance to further extend his tally when a deep Mackenzie corner saw Boyd return the ball into the box Farquhar reacted quickest but his head flick was just of target. Lyall and Davidson had proved difficult opponents all night and they linked for the Rovers first real chance of the half but Davidson’s rising shot was held at head height by Gray. Nichol was enduring one of those nights where all his build up play was good but he couldn’t quite find the killer touch this was emphasised when wheeled round his marker before firing in a fine shot that produced the save of the match from McGee low to his right. With just under 20 minutes left Cassidy was withdrawn and replaced by Manson in a straight swap. A superb run down the right from Baker saw him gallop clear draw the first defender before sending in a teasing cross that was begging to be knocked home but instead McGee claimed the ball on his 6 yard line. The keeper then did exceptionally well to defend his near post moments later as Mackenzie broke down the left before firing in a low cross that he held on to under pressure from Nichol and Farquhar. Substitute Coghill had a decent chance for the visitors when fine play from Lyall saw him played in at the angle but his shot was straight at Gray. With just over ten minutes left Begg replaced Mackenzie for the final substitution of the night. The final goal came in the dying stages it came about through Gray showing wonderful feet work inside the box stepping away from three challenges before rocketing in a shot that crashed off the face of the bar but that man Farquhar was on hand to tap home the rebound. Manson then missed a snip as the Rovers energy started to sap Nichol breaking free looked up and found the substitute but his drive was inches wide. The final opportunity of the half came once again through a long throw in Boyd seized the chance and fired in a powerful shot that McGee beat away amid claims in had already crossed the line.
Full time
Pentland United 4-1 Wick Rovers
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. R Sutherland 7. W Inrig (M Baker 62) 8. L Cassidy (D Manson 72) 9. M Nichol 10. T Farquhar 11. N Mackenzie (Begg 78)
View from the goal
We won pretty comfortably in the end but displayed a few nerves as we struggled to kill off the Rovers who are a pretty useful side. Their strike force never gave us any peace and will be a match for most this season I would have thought. Again we created a barrowload of chances but failed to show real composure in front of goal but the fact is we are creating chances and that is the main thing. Delighted to see Rossco back in the midfield hopefully that is the end to his injury woes for a wee while and he can now work at regaining his match fitness. Stoodsy well four goals to his name so you can’t knock him and he looks to be linking well with Mark and Cass up front so that is really positive. Conceding another goal unbelievable it seems that every team scores on their first attack but to be fair from the Rovers point of view it was a good goal however we should be looking to defend it a little better. We now move into E Macintosh duty on Monday versus Thurso Thistle in Ormlie, which will be another challenge but hopefully we can keep this good run we are on going.
Half time
Pentland United 2-1 Wick Rovers
The light breeze that had been so refreshing in the first half subsided allowing the dreaded midge to appear causing no end of discomfort to players and supporters alike. Cassidy had the first opportunity of the second half when brilliant play from Inrig down the right saw him outstretch the defence before squaring for the Armadale man but his bullet shot flew across goal and away for a goal kick. Mackenzie was the next to try his luck as United seemed keen to force home their territorial advantage he cut in past his markers and as the chance opened up for him he struck a decent low drive that McGee handled comfortably. United opened up a two goal advantage after 58 mins with a superb sweeping move and it started on the edge of their own box where B Gray did extremely well to cut out a through ball, Farmer retrieved the ball and fed Nichol who turned sharply before releasing Cassidy who sprinted clear and delivered a brilliant cross which Farquhar dispatched goalwards only to see McGee produce a great stop only for Stoodsy to react first and complete his hat-trick. On the hour mark Baker replaced Inrig who appeared to have taken a knock moments earlier so it was decided to take no chances and replace the influential midfielder. Farquhar then had great chance to further extend his tally when a deep Mackenzie corner saw Boyd return the ball into the box Farquhar reacted quickest but his head flick was just of target. Lyall and Davidson had proved difficult opponents all night and they linked for the Rovers first real chance of the half but Davidson’s rising shot was held at head height by Gray. Nichol was enduring one of those nights where all his build up play was good but he couldn’t quite find the killer touch this was emphasised when wheeled round his marker before firing in a fine shot that produced the save of the match from McGee low to his right. With just under 20 minutes left Cassidy was withdrawn and replaced by Manson in a straight swap. A superb run down the right from Baker saw him gallop clear draw the first defender before sending in a teasing cross that was begging to be knocked home but instead McGee claimed the ball on his 6 yard line. The keeper then did exceptionally well to defend his near post moments later as Mackenzie broke down the left before firing in a low cross that he held on to under pressure from Nichol and Farquhar. Substitute Coghill had a decent chance for the visitors when fine play from Lyall saw him played in at the angle but his shot was straight at Gray. With just over ten minutes left Begg replaced Mackenzie for the final substitution of the night. The final goal came in the dying stages it came about through Gray showing wonderful feet work inside the box stepping away from three challenges before rocketing in a shot that crashed off the face of the bar but that man Farquhar was on hand to tap home the rebound. Manson then missed a snip as the Rovers energy started to sap Nichol breaking free looked up and found the substitute but his drive was inches wide. The final opportunity of the half came once again through a long throw in Boyd seized the chance and fired in a powerful shot that McGee beat away amid claims in had already crossed the line.
Full time
Pentland United 4-1 Wick Rovers
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. R Sutherland 7. W Inrig (M Baker 62) 8. L Cassidy (D Manson 72) 9. M Nichol 10. T Farquhar 11. N Mackenzie (Begg 78)
View from the goal
We won pretty comfortably in the end but displayed a few nerves as we struggled to kill off the Rovers who are a pretty useful side. Their strike force never gave us any peace and will be a match for most this season I would have thought. Again we created a barrowload of chances but failed to show real composure in front of goal but the fact is we are creating chances and that is the main thing. Delighted to see Rossco back in the midfield hopefully that is the end to his injury woes for a wee while and he can now work at regaining his match fitness. Stoodsy well four goals to his name so you can’t knock him and he looks to be linking well with Mark and Cass up front so that is really positive. Conceding another goal unbelievable it seems that every team scores on their first attack but to be fair from the Rovers point of view it was a good goal however we should be looking to defend it a little better. We now move into E Macintosh duty on Monday versus Thurso Thistle in Ormlie, which will be another challenge but hopefully we can keep this good run we are on going.