Post by Michael Gray on Jun 29, 2004 12:50:31 GMT
United were in Thurso for the second time in three days this time to face namesakes Pentland the park had been cut so conditions were improved for this crucial league fixture for both teams although for contrasting reasons. While United required the win to keep in touch with leaders Acks the Thurso side needed the points to stave off the prospect of relegation at the first time of asking after promotion the previous season. The visitors almost made the dream start after five minutes when a wicked inswinging corner from Sutherland was flicked on at the near post by Gray for the inrushing Boyd who bulleted a header goalwards that was repelled by on the line by a combination of three green jerseys. United continued to make the early running although it was clear that the Pentlands were not going to make it easy as they scrapped for every ball. A long punt by Gray found Nichol on the right touchline he drew a lunge from MacElroy and raced clear into the box but his square pass intended for the inrushing Cassidy just failed to find its target and it rolled away to safety. Good interplay from Makhoulli and Florence saw Chessor race clear to the edge of the box but his final touch was just to heavy and it allowed keeper Gray the opportunity to race from his line and smother the ball. The same player did well moments later when he picked up a MacDonald pass and cut inside Inrig however his shot flew over without troubling the keeper. After 20 mins a brilliant turn from Nichol saw him leave MacElroy for dead before slipping a wonderful through ball that Cassidy raced on but he rather hastily lashed his shot wide when in fact he had more time. Morris making his first start domestically for United was inches away from opening his season’s account with a superb low drive from a Sutherland pass when was the last time that could be said Kevin Morris after starting a season in Caithness still awaiting his first goal in June. Pentlands continued to turn in a positive performance that belied their lowly league position and Bell was unlucky on the half hour mark after making a penetrating run from deep into the box where he was found by a Makhoulli pass but his powerful shot was straight at Gray. The miss was to prove costly as United made the breakthrough after 35 mins when a wicked inswinging freekick from the left from Bremner saw Nichol throw himself at the ball knocking it passed the helpless Allan from 6 yards. Minutes later the scorer was released down the right by Bremner and he swept in a low cross that Cassidy tried to fire goalwards first time however the ball looped up but he reacted first this time though his shot was charged away. Just before half time Cassidy returned the favour when he stripped Foubister on the left before squaring to Nichol who shot high over under pressure.
Half time
Thurso Pentland 0-1 Pentland United
Similarly to the first half United came within inches of making a great start to the second half when Morris met a wonderful Nichol cross but the header just flew over the bar with Allan beaten. The obvious height advantage the Canisbay outfit held was causing problems at set pieces and B Gray was marginally off target ten minutes to the second period when he powered in a Bremner freekick. The lead was doubled after 55 mins in somewhat bizarre circumstances when Cassidy was flagged offside as he attempted to run clear but the ball ran harmlessly through to keeper Allan referee Whitson waved play on but Allan misunderstood and fired the ball back to Lee Mackay a half time substitute for Bell he was immediately dispossessed by Morris allowing Nichol an easy run in on goal and he calmly slipped the ball into the net. Tempers became frayed then as the home side vented their anger at the referee resulting in Wood being booked however they did manage to channel the majority of their frustration back into their game as they sought to claw a way into the match. Florence shot high and wide after a good interchange between himself and Makhoulli allowed the winger space on the edge of the box. The game however did swing again minutes later when a long hopeful ball allowed Hamilton to break free but it appeared the combination of Boyd and Skinner had done enough to thwart the attack but referee Whitson ruled the combined challenge illegal and pointed to the spot although the infringement appeared two yards outside the box. Phil Makhoulli showed nerves of steel as he slammed the ball wide of Gray into the net to give his side real hope of earning something from the game. A beautiful through ball from Morris after 65 minutes allowed Nichol the opportunity to race clear on Allan but the young keeper made a tremendous block at the feet of the striker and held on to the ball. the striker was the architect minutes later sweeping down the right before dinking a far post cross that Cassidy met sweetly on the volley but Allan clutched the ball to his chest confidently. A stray cross field freekick from B Gray put Boyd under pressure from Hamilton and he fouled the striker allowing D Mackay the chance to fire in a freekick but it was blocked and cleared by Inrig on the edge of the area. Hamilton was turning in an impressive second half performance and he seemed the most likely source of an equaliser and twice in the last fifteen minutes he managed to get shots in on goal the first was after he was well policed by Skinner and the effort drifted wide the second was from the edge of the box but was too straight and Gray gripped the ball to his stomach. With just over ten minutes left B Gray was replaced by Begg after the centre-half took a knock in a challenge after venturing forward for a freekick. Minutes after coming on he nearly created the killer third when he fed skipper Farmer but he was just off target from 25 yards. Deep into injury time United finally sealed the points a Bremner corner was half cleared to Nichol who wheeled on a six pence and fired low into the net to complete his hat trick.
Full time
Thurso Pentland 1-3 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray (Begg 82) 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. G Bremner 7. W Inrig 8. R Sutherland 9. M Nichol 10. K Morris 11. L Cassidy
Subs not used: D Manson, K Sinclair
View from the goal
A sluggish performance from the guys perhaps not to unexpected given the disappointment of Monday night but we eventually came through. I thought the work ethic was okay if the application was wayward at times and we really had to fight against a resolute Pentland side much improved since the last time I saw them and if they can reproduce that kind of performance in their remaining encounters they may even stay up. Marky again a pivotal character netting three goals after his blank on Monday showed good character after missing a few early half chances and he netted 3 decent goals and vitally important. The rest of the guys put in a decent shift but a little mention for Casta who gave his marker a torrid time but his luck desterted him in front of goal. We now have a little break where we can re-charge the batteries before our trip to Wick to face Thistle on the July 5th.
Half time
Thurso Pentland 0-1 Pentland United
Similarly to the first half United came within inches of making a great start to the second half when Morris met a wonderful Nichol cross but the header just flew over the bar with Allan beaten. The obvious height advantage the Canisbay outfit held was causing problems at set pieces and B Gray was marginally off target ten minutes to the second period when he powered in a Bremner freekick. The lead was doubled after 55 mins in somewhat bizarre circumstances when Cassidy was flagged offside as he attempted to run clear but the ball ran harmlessly through to keeper Allan referee Whitson waved play on but Allan misunderstood and fired the ball back to Lee Mackay a half time substitute for Bell he was immediately dispossessed by Morris allowing Nichol an easy run in on goal and he calmly slipped the ball into the net. Tempers became frayed then as the home side vented their anger at the referee resulting in Wood being booked however they did manage to channel the majority of their frustration back into their game as they sought to claw a way into the match. Florence shot high and wide after a good interchange between himself and Makhoulli allowed the winger space on the edge of the box. The game however did swing again minutes later when a long hopeful ball allowed Hamilton to break free but it appeared the combination of Boyd and Skinner had done enough to thwart the attack but referee Whitson ruled the combined challenge illegal and pointed to the spot although the infringement appeared two yards outside the box. Phil Makhoulli showed nerves of steel as he slammed the ball wide of Gray into the net to give his side real hope of earning something from the game. A beautiful through ball from Morris after 65 minutes allowed Nichol the opportunity to race clear on Allan but the young keeper made a tremendous block at the feet of the striker and held on to the ball. the striker was the architect minutes later sweeping down the right before dinking a far post cross that Cassidy met sweetly on the volley but Allan clutched the ball to his chest confidently. A stray cross field freekick from B Gray put Boyd under pressure from Hamilton and he fouled the striker allowing D Mackay the chance to fire in a freekick but it was blocked and cleared by Inrig on the edge of the area. Hamilton was turning in an impressive second half performance and he seemed the most likely source of an equaliser and twice in the last fifteen minutes he managed to get shots in on goal the first was after he was well policed by Skinner and the effort drifted wide the second was from the edge of the box but was too straight and Gray gripped the ball to his stomach. With just over ten minutes left B Gray was replaced by Begg after the centre-half took a knock in a challenge after venturing forward for a freekick. Minutes after coming on he nearly created the killer third when he fed skipper Farmer but he was just off target from 25 yards. Deep into injury time United finally sealed the points a Bremner corner was half cleared to Nichol who wheeled on a six pence and fired low into the net to complete his hat trick.
Full time
Thurso Pentland 1-3 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray (Begg 82) 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. G Bremner 7. W Inrig 8. R Sutherland 9. M Nichol 10. K Morris 11. L Cassidy
Subs not used: D Manson, K Sinclair
View from the goal
A sluggish performance from the guys perhaps not to unexpected given the disappointment of Monday night but we eventually came through. I thought the work ethic was okay if the application was wayward at times and we really had to fight against a resolute Pentland side much improved since the last time I saw them and if they can reproduce that kind of performance in their remaining encounters they may even stay up. Marky again a pivotal character netting three goals after his blank on Monday showed good character after missing a few early half chances and he netted 3 decent goals and vitally important. The rest of the guys put in a decent shift but a little mention for Casta who gave his marker a torrid time but his luck desterted him in front of goal. We now have a little break where we can re-charge the batteries before our trip to Wick to face Thistle on the July 5th.