Post by Michael Gray on Jun 22, 2004 8:36:02 GMT
Once again the Caithness summer weather failed to appear for this Highland Amateur 3rd round tie with wide spread showers and stiff breeze all to apparent. United made one change to the squad that defeated Thistle on the Monday previous with Derek Manson replacing Melvich bound Luke Cassidy. Within two minutes the home side should have opened the scoring text book wing play from Mackenzie saw him beat his man before delivering a low centre that Farquhar just failed to convert from six yards. The wideman himself then had a good opportunity when Sutherland picked out his run into the box but he lashed the ball wide from 12 yards as the keeper closed the angle. The opener however did come after 8 minutes when a long throw from Gray was cleared as far as Bremner on the edge of the box his shot was partially charged down and as the ball looped into the box skipper Farmer reacted first and sent a volley across the keeper into the bottom corner to give the proverbial dream start. Mackenzie’s wandering up front was to be a constant problem for the Skye men all day and once again he was at the centre of the next glorious chance latching onto a Sutherland pass he drove to the byeline before squaring the ball but neither Nichol nor Farquhar could get the merest of touches that would have sent the ball into the net. The lead was extended after 20 mins when Farmer released Mackenzie down the left channel his early cross removed the defence from the equation and Farquhar stole in at the back post to side foot the ball home. Willie Inrig very nearly kept up his recent scoring form when Bremner retrieved his own corner that had been partially cleared and picked out the midfield man at the far post where he crashed a superb volley off the face off the cross bar. Number three came on the half hour mark and it was leading marksman Nichol who added to his already impressive total after good play on the right from Farquhar he slipped the ball into his strike partner and who couldn’t fail to net from close range. Central defender Boyd was the next to have an attempt at goal after striding out of defence he linked well with Bremner before unleashing a powerful shot from fully 25 yards but it flew well wide of the post. The first half scoring was completed when Sutherland picked out a brilliant pass for Farquhar to run on to as the keeper advanced he slid a shot into the corner of the net.
Half time
Pentland United 4-0 Portree United
United returned to the field keen to keep the momentum they had built up in the first half going. They got the ideal start in that sense 5 mins into the half Farquhar seizing on a bouncing ball in the box unleashed a powerful volley across the keeper into the bottom left corner of the net completing a fine hat-trick. The relentless procession towards the Portree goal continued with the visiting keeper bringing of a fine save after Mackenzie had broken free and unleashed a powerful shot that seemed goal bound. The keeper's resistance was broken again after 55 when a Gavin Bremner corner was returned back to the midfield man and his deft lob saw Mark Nichol rise but fail to make connection with the ball however that his presence was enough to distact the entire defence as the ball sailed into the far corner of the net. Martin Baker entered the field just before the hour mark and one of his first duties was to congratulate Ross Sutherland after his brilliant 18 yard shot flew into the bottom corner of the net giving the keeper no chance what so ever making it three in a week for the midfielder. Jocky Begg replaced Mark Nichol after 68 mins and he had only been on the field a matter of minutes when he struck after good play down the left from Mackenzie saw him feed the experienced striker who took a touch before planting a beautiful shot into the far corner right across the despairing dive of the now demoralised Portree keeper. Boyd who seemed intent on getting in on the goal rush with several dashes up front then missed a snip when the ball was cut back to him 6 yards out he fluffed his attempted shot and the ball trickled away harmlessly much to bemusement of the defender. Willie Inrig after being cruley denied by the bar in the first half did manage to keep his recent scoring run going after superb touchline play from Begg who skipped away from a couple of tackles cut along the byeline before feeding the midfield man who side footed the ball against the balance of the keeper and into the net. Derek Manson then replaced skipper Ryan Farmer for the final 20 mins on the right hand side of the park. The final goal came after 80 mins and once again it was that man Mackenzie providing another run round the back of the defence before cutting the ball across goal leaving Farquhar with the simplest of tasks in tapping the ball home.
Full time
Pentland United 10-0 Portree United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. J Skinner (M Baker 60) 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) (D Manson 70) 6. G Bremner 7. W Inrig 8. T Farquhar 9. M Nichol (Begg 65) 10. R Sutherland 11. N Mackenzie
View from the goal
Again another good display although perhaps a little disappointing with our chances to goals ratio. We did however play some good football in pretty miserable conditions at times knocking the ball about confidentally and always making to receive a pass. Bobby was the stand-out by miles he was a constant thorn in the Portree United defence and was at the centre of most good things we did. Willie Inrig also turned in another excellent performance on the right his crossing really is quite special at times and extremely hard to defend. There is no doubt the long journey had a detrimental effect on the Portree team and losing the early goal was a massive setback to their game plan. They did have a couple of lively looking players who showed up well going forward but they just had no answer to Bobby with Stoodsy the obvious beneficiary. We now must await the draw on Sunday 4th July although controversy reigns at the moment as the SAFA have upheld the Harlequin Bar appeal about their expulsion from the competition.
Half time
Pentland United 4-0 Portree United
United returned to the field keen to keep the momentum they had built up in the first half going. They got the ideal start in that sense 5 mins into the half Farquhar seizing on a bouncing ball in the box unleashed a powerful volley across the keeper into the bottom left corner of the net completing a fine hat-trick. The relentless procession towards the Portree goal continued with the visiting keeper bringing of a fine save after Mackenzie had broken free and unleashed a powerful shot that seemed goal bound. The keeper's resistance was broken again after 55 when a Gavin Bremner corner was returned back to the midfield man and his deft lob saw Mark Nichol rise but fail to make connection with the ball however that his presence was enough to distact the entire defence as the ball sailed into the far corner of the net. Martin Baker entered the field just before the hour mark and one of his first duties was to congratulate Ross Sutherland after his brilliant 18 yard shot flew into the bottom corner of the net giving the keeper no chance what so ever making it three in a week for the midfielder. Jocky Begg replaced Mark Nichol after 68 mins and he had only been on the field a matter of minutes when he struck after good play down the left from Mackenzie saw him feed the experienced striker who took a touch before planting a beautiful shot into the far corner right across the despairing dive of the now demoralised Portree keeper. Boyd who seemed intent on getting in on the goal rush with several dashes up front then missed a snip when the ball was cut back to him 6 yards out he fluffed his attempted shot and the ball trickled away harmlessly much to bemusement of the defender. Willie Inrig after being cruley denied by the bar in the first half did manage to keep his recent scoring run going after superb touchline play from Begg who skipped away from a couple of tackles cut along the byeline before feeding the midfield man who side footed the ball against the balance of the keeper and into the net. Derek Manson then replaced skipper Ryan Farmer for the final 20 mins on the right hand side of the park. The final goal came after 80 mins and once again it was that man Mackenzie providing another run round the back of the defence before cutting the ball across goal leaving Farquhar with the simplest of tasks in tapping the ball home.
Full time
Pentland United 10-0 Portree United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. J Skinner (M Baker 60) 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) (D Manson 70) 6. G Bremner 7. W Inrig 8. T Farquhar 9. M Nichol (Begg 65) 10. R Sutherland 11. N Mackenzie
View from the goal
Again another good display although perhaps a little disappointing with our chances to goals ratio. We did however play some good football in pretty miserable conditions at times knocking the ball about confidentally and always making to receive a pass. Bobby was the stand-out by miles he was a constant thorn in the Portree United defence and was at the centre of most good things we did. Willie Inrig also turned in another excellent performance on the right his crossing really is quite special at times and extremely hard to defend. There is no doubt the long journey had a detrimental effect on the Portree team and losing the early goal was a massive setback to their game plan. They did have a couple of lively looking players who showed up well going forward but they just had no answer to Bobby with Stoodsy the obvious beneficiary. We now must await the draw on Sunday 4th July although controversy reigns at the moment as the SAFA have upheld the Harlequin Bar appeal about their expulsion from the competition.