Post by Michael Gray on Jul 13, 2004 9:11:51 GMT
Heavy rain prior to the game had left the surface slippy but it was more the restrictive Avoch pitch that would upset the United style of play. Nigel Mackenzie returned from his trip to Bulgaria at the expense of the cup tied Luke Cassidy as United went with a 4-4-2 formation with Kevin Morris adopting a defensive role along side Messrs Boyd, Gray and Baker. The Canisbay men got off to a dream start inside five minutes when an Inrig through ball eluded the home defence allowing Mackenzie torun through and side foot past the encroaching McCraw. Minutes later the same player was denied by the keepers feet when he latched on to a knockdown from Mark Nichol as United threatened to run riot. Unfortunately the tide soon turned as the visitors were pushed back Gary Anderson broke well on the left and sent a powerful dipping volley that Gray held on to as it leapt of the turf. The educated left foot of MacLean then opened up the defence as Hutchison broke clear but Gray managed to get a hand to the ball and help it over the bar as the home side roared back into the game. However the game was far from one-sided and a deep freekick from Farmer found Nichol all alone at the back post but his downward header was snaffled up by McCraw. The visitors had a real let off when midfielder Hutchinson latched on to a shot from MacDougall that had broken off B Gray but he volleyed wide with the goal at his mercy. United were still struggling to make any real impact on the game at this moment and it seemed an equaliser was imminent and MacLean was just off target when he latched on a long ball that skimmed off the top off Morris’s head but as Gray threw himself at the ball he slid the ball past passed the post. However the equaliser did come shortly before half-time although it was probably deserved the manner was somewhat bizarre a crashing long range drive cannoned off the cross bar and struck the out stretched arm off keeper Gray and fell into the net to level the game. United were shocked and struggling to stay on level terms Morris was penalised for a challenge on Watt just outside the area and MacLean’s effort from the freekick was just off target as United weathered the storm to half-time.
Half time
Avoch 1-1 Pentland United
United really needed a positive start to the half but they again found themselves on the back foot from the kick off MacLean who had become increasingly prominent in the game on the left managed to whip in a low left foot cross that Gray dived forward to claim with MacDougall awaiting any mistake. However the goal was only delayed momentarily and again MacLean was the architect feinting through two challenges he delivered a low cross that Watt off balance managed to rocket into the net. The visitors were now on the ropes and Watt had a good chance to land what would surely have been a knock out blow even at the early stage in the half when he raced clear but he only succeeded in striking the ball into the chest off keeper Gray as he closed the striker down. But the pendulum started to swing bac towards the visitors when United forced central defender Morris up front and he started to cause no end of problems for the homeside. Nichol slipped Mackenzie in with a beautifully weighted pass that saw the winger break clear but McCraw managed to spread himself well enough to block the effort although the referee denied the keeper the credit by awarding a goal kick Mackenzie took a knock in the process and required lengthy treatment. However the equaliser did come with fifteen minutes remaining a deep throw from Gray was headed on by Morris and Nichol sent a fine volley passed the combination of Davidson and McCraw on the line. The game was now becoming increasingly stretched as both sides went for victory Mackenzie was marginally off target with a header at the back post from a deep Bremner freekick. At the other end MacDougall also was fractionally away from settling the tie when he rose at the back post to meet a Jack cross. The big striker again came close when he wheeled inside the box and drove a low shot at goal but Gray smothered the ball comfortably. However there was heartbreak for the visitors at the next attack when Hutchinson stole a yard on the defence to meet a corner from the right sending a powerful header crashing past Gray. United tried to rally but found the home side resilient now although Mackenzie did manage to make contact with a Bremner corner the ball broke off a defender to Morris but the big man’s shot was high and wild as time slipped away. With minutes remaining a deep clearance from Gray saw Nichol break free on the right and he volleyed a shot on goal from 20 yards that McCraw was equal to and turned round the post. In fact it was the home side that had the final effort on goal when MacDougall cut in from the left and fired a powerful a shot on goal that Gray parried and Baker swept the clearance up field.
Full time
Avoch 3-2 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) (Begg 82) 6. G Bremner 7. W Inrig 8. R Sutherland 9. M Nichol 10. K Morris 11. N Mackenzie
Subs not used
R Beattie, D Manson
View from the goal
I have not been this disappointed in a very long time we turned in a mediocre performance and ultimately paid for it with our place in the next round. The conditions were difficult no arguing about that and it is a very tight place to play but we never responded in a positive enough manner to the situation. After getting the dream start we sat back and never took the game to them when a second goal would have gone a long way to winning the tie. I honestly don’t think we deserved to lose on the day as created by far the better chances but at times we lacked the cutting edge and perhaps defended a little naively as well. I hold my hands up for the first goal although if I hadn’t at the time it wouldn’t have happened. Our HA Cup adventure is over for another year and that leaves our season hinging on the league now with Monday night a huge game.
Half time
Avoch 1-1 Pentland United
United really needed a positive start to the half but they again found themselves on the back foot from the kick off MacLean who had become increasingly prominent in the game on the left managed to whip in a low left foot cross that Gray dived forward to claim with MacDougall awaiting any mistake. However the goal was only delayed momentarily and again MacLean was the architect feinting through two challenges he delivered a low cross that Watt off balance managed to rocket into the net. The visitors were now on the ropes and Watt had a good chance to land what would surely have been a knock out blow even at the early stage in the half when he raced clear but he only succeeded in striking the ball into the chest off keeper Gray as he closed the striker down. But the pendulum started to swing bac towards the visitors when United forced central defender Morris up front and he started to cause no end of problems for the homeside. Nichol slipped Mackenzie in with a beautifully weighted pass that saw the winger break clear but McCraw managed to spread himself well enough to block the effort although the referee denied the keeper the credit by awarding a goal kick Mackenzie took a knock in the process and required lengthy treatment. However the equaliser did come with fifteen minutes remaining a deep throw from Gray was headed on by Morris and Nichol sent a fine volley passed the combination of Davidson and McCraw on the line. The game was now becoming increasingly stretched as both sides went for victory Mackenzie was marginally off target with a header at the back post from a deep Bremner freekick. At the other end MacDougall also was fractionally away from settling the tie when he rose at the back post to meet a Jack cross. The big striker again came close when he wheeled inside the box and drove a low shot at goal but Gray smothered the ball comfortably. However there was heartbreak for the visitors at the next attack when Hutchinson stole a yard on the defence to meet a corner from the right sending a powerful header crashing past Gray. United tried to rally but found the home side resilient now although Mackenzie did manage to make contact with a Bremner corner the ball broke off a defender to Morris but the big man’s shot was high and wild as time slipped away. With minutes remaining a deep clearance from Gray saw Nichol break free on the right and he volleyed a shot on goal from 20 yards that McCraw was equal to and turned round the post. In fact it was the home side that had the final effort on goal when MacDougall cut in from the left and fired a powerful a shot on goal that Gray parried and Baker swept the clearance up field.
Full time
Avoch 3-2 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) (Begg 82) 6. G Bremner 7. W Inrig 8. R Sutherland 9. M Nichol 10. K Morris 11. N Mackenzie
Subs not used
R Beattie, D Manson
View from the goal
I have not been this disappointed in a very long time we turned in a mediocre performance and ultimately paid for it with our place in the next round. The conditions were difficult no arguing about that and it is a very tight place to play but we never responded in a positive enough manner to the situation. After getting the dream start we sat back and never took the game to them when a second goal would have gone a long way to winning the tie. I honestly don’t think we deserved to lose on the day as created by far the better chances but at times we lacked the cutting edge and perhaps defended a little naively as well. I hold my hands up for the first goal although if I hadn’t at the time it wouldn’t have happened. Our HA Cup adventure is over for another year and that leaves our season hinging on the league now with Monday night a huge game.