Post by Michael Gray on Jul 15, 2004 11:06:37 GMT
A sizeable crowd of around 200 gathered for the final episode of Pentland United vs. Acks for 2004, United knew anything less than a win would probably put paid to their title aspirations whilst the league leaders knew if they avoided defeat they would be firm favourites to land the title. The home side won the toss and decided to play with the stiff breeze that travelled up the Ham Park slope in the first half. The Thurso sie made the bright opening and could have been ahead after less than five minutes through Michael Bremner the combination of Martin Macgregor and Jamie Mackenzie managed to dispossess Nigel Mackenzie on the left hand side as United tried to break and one pass saw Bremner race free into the box but he could only look on despair as his delightful dink over the advancing Gray crashed off the face of the bar resulting in a scramble that keeper Gray won when he managed to flop on to the ball removing the danger momentarily. The Canisbay men’s first threat on goal came via a freekick from Gavin Bremner that found Mark Nichol climbing highest in the box but his header was just off target. The game was always going to be played at a frantic pace and this was epitomised when a Lee MacDougall launched cross from deep that keeper Gray intercepted and immediately knocked the ball long for Morris who managed to elude the tackle of Moar and fired of a low drive that Swanson did well to hold low to his right. After 10 mins Mackenzie and Cassidy linked well on the edge of the area, which saw the frontman spin and send a powerful shot at goal but once again the big keeper was equal to the effort. Cassidy who was having an excellent start to the game then chased down a long hopeful ball from Bremner, which he caught on the byeline and brilliantly stepped inside his marker Mackay before trying to clip the ball past Swanson who again produced a decent stop. The pace was relentless Macgregor raced away from Mackenzie on halfway before sweeping in a dangerous cross that Inrig cleared away at the back post with MacDougall lurking menacingly behind him. Ross Sutherland came within inches of opening the scoring on the on the half hour mark when he accepted a short freekick and flashed the ball passed the post with Swanson beaten. As expected it was going to be a tousy affair with the game littered with fouls although referee Sinclair was having a super game and never let anything get out of control he booked Morris and Sutherland of United for skirmishes after fouls by Moar and Mackenzie respectively. United again came agonisingly close from opening the scoring after 38 mins when a deep Bremner freekick saw Morris towering above the defence to bullet a header across goal and just when it appeared Cassidy would open the scoring he was eased off the ball by Mackay. However the breakthrough came with five minutes left in the half a long throw from Gray was headed on by Boyd resulting in an almighty scramble and it was left to the poacher supreme Morris to fire home to not only open his account for the night but for the season as well. This buoyed the whole United camp and minutes later they came within inches of doubling their advantage when Nichol had a header cleared off the line by MacDougall just before referee Sinclair blew for half-time.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Thurso Acks
Playing into the wind it was obviously going to be a decidedly more difficult half for the Canisbay men although rather like the Acks in the first half they had a great early chance wonderful play down the right from Nichol saw him tease Warner before delivering a pin point cross for Morris whose header just went wide of the post. But the Acks aren’t top of the league for nothing and roared on by a sizeable town contingent they forced their way back into the game Mark Makhoulli signalled his intentions turning quickly on the edge of the box and unleashing a powerful low drive that Gray held on to low to his left. The home side then suffered a blow when Willie Inrig succumbed to a thigh strain and was replaced by crowd favourite Tony Farquhar. It wasn’t long before the substitute was in the thick of the action when he headed the ball away at the back post after Macgregor had taken up good position and floated the ball beyond keeper Gray, MacDougall latched on to the clearance and sent a shot that seemed destined for the net until a heroic late intervention by Martin Baker on the line. The Acks were having their best spell of the game and United seemed to be struggling to keep with their rivals as they retreated deeper into their half. Jamie Mackenzie then made space for himself in te box but failed to get the required power in his effort nevertheless Gray made a bit of a dogs dinner of the save requiring two efforts to hold on to the ball. Around 20 minutes into the second period though United seemed to find another gear after surviving the storm they now began to attack again with purpose Cassidy produced sublime skill to beat Warner on the byeline cut in and fire a shot goalwards that seemed a winner all the way until MacDougall for the second occasion of the game cleared from the line. Gavin Bremner was again producing a tireless show in the centre of the field and he came within inches of capping his display with a goal latching on to a clearance he sent a dipping volley just wide. Jamie Mackenzie tried desperately to drive his team on from the centre of the park and he produced an excellent turn on the edge of the area but his powerful drive flew over the bar. As the game ebbed and flowed Nigel Mackenzie broke clear of the defence with a superb run but his final touch just ran away from him and the alert Swanson dived on to the ball although the keeper required attention after the follow through from the winger. United continued to press on now hoping to net what would surely be a killer second Lee MacDougall again produced a goal line clearance this time from Mark Nichol when he sent a shot goalwards after Morris had rose at the back post. United suffered a further injury blow when with just under fifteen to go Nigel Mackenzie limped off to be replaced by Ryan Farmer. With five minutes left on the clock Cassidy again showed quick feet to step away from his marker on the edge of the box and let fly a with a powerful effort that unfortunately went straight down the throat of Swanson. The last effort of note was when Cassidy broke free and lifted the ball over Moar for Nichol who sent a dipping shot in from the edge of the box straight at Swanson under pressure from Warner. The Acks attempted to launch some late pressure but the United defence brilliantly marshalled by B Gray along with Boyd, Baker and the withdrawn Morris held firm. The final whistle was greeted with huge cheers of relief from the home support as their team moved within a point of the leaders but with five games to go it is still anyone's title.
Full time
Pentland United 1-0 Thurso Acks
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. H Boyd 5. R Sutherland (c) 6. G Bremner 7. W Inrig (T Farquhar 55) 8. L Cassidy 9. M Nichol 10. K Morris 11. N Mackenzie (R Farmer 77)
Subs not used
J Begg, D Manson
View from the goal
A brilliant response after the major disappointment of Saturday’s cup exit and ibasically it was down to a brilliant team performance however there were some individuals who stood out on the night Rossco, Gav, Kev and the back three are obvious candidates for man of the match. However one young man in my mind was in a class of his own and that is Casta he was simply superb considering that he has had to endure a lot of flak after the carry on at the start of the season but he produced in my opinion his best performance in a PU shirt on Monday and deserved a goal for his efforts but it wasn’t to be. It was always going to be a battle royal but both teams got the ball down and tried to play football the best they could in the conditions and gave plenty entertainment for the big crowd. But we must keep our feet on the ground we have 5 massive games left where we need to achieve the same level of commitment and quality we showed on Monday starting on Thursday against the Ashes who have done brilliantly well after a slow start and have the extra bonus of already being safe from relegation.
Half time
Pentland United 1-0 Thurso Acks
Playing into the wind it was obviously going to be a decidedly more difficult half for the Canisbay men although rather like the Acks in the first half they had a great early chance wonderful play down the right from Nichol saw him tease Warner before delivering a pin point cross for Morris whose header just went wide of the post. But the Acks aren’t top of the league for nothing and roared on by a sizeable town contingent they forced their way back into the game Mark Makhoulli signalled his intentions turning quickly on the edge of the box and unleashing a powerful low drive that Gray held on to low to his left. The home side then suffered a blow when Willie Inrig succumbed to a thigh strain and was replaced by crowd favourite Tony Farquhar. It wasn’t long before the substitute was in the thick of the action when he headed the ball away at the back post after Macgregor had taken up good position and floated the ball beyond keeper Gray, MacDougall latched on to the clearance and sent a shot that seemed destined for the net until a heroic late intervention by Martin Baker on the line. The Acks were having their best spell of the game and United seemed to be struggling to keep with their rivals as they retreated deeper into their half. Jamie Mackenzie then made space for himself in te box but failed to get the required power in his effort nevertheless Gray made a bit of a dogs dinner of the save requiring two efforts to hold on to the ball. Around 20 minutes into the second period though United seemed to find another gear after surviving the storm they now began to attack again with purpose Cassidy produced sublime skill to beat Warner on the byeline cut in and fire a shot goalwards that seemed a winner all the way until MacDougall for the second occasion of the game cleared from the line. Gavin Bremner was again producing a tireless show in the centre of the field and he came within inches of capping his display with a goal latching on to a clearance he sent a dipping volley just wide. Jamie Mackenzie tried desperately to drive his team on from the centre of the park and he produced an excellent turn on the edge of the area but his powerful drive flew over the bar. As the game ebbed and flowed Nigel Mackenzie broke clear of the defence with a superb run but his final touch just ran away from him and the alert Swanson dived on to the ball although the keeper required attention after the follow through from the winger. United continued to press on now hoping to net what would surely be a killer second Lee MacDougall again produced a goal line clearance this time from Mark Nichol when he sent a shot goalwards after Morris had rose at the back post. United suffered a further injury blow when with just under fifteen to go Nigel Mackenzie limped off to be replaced by Ryan Farmer. With five minutes left on the clock Cassidy again showed quick feet to step away from his marker on the edge of the box and let fly a with a powerful effort that unfortunately went straight down the throat of Swanson. The last effort of note was when Cassidy broke free and lifted the ball over Moar for Nichol who sent a dipping shot in from the edge of the box straight at Swanson under pressure from Warner. The Acks attempted to launch some late pressure but the United defence brilliantly marshalled by B Gray along with Boyd, Baker and the withdrawn Morris held firm. The final whistle was greeted with huge cheers of relief from the home support as their team moved within a point of the leaders but with five games to go it is still anyone's title.
Full time
Pentland United 1-0 Thurso Acks
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. H Boyd 5. R Sutherland (c) 6. G Bremner 7. W Inrig (T Farquhar 55) 8. L Cassidy 9. M Nichol 10. K Morris 11. N Mackenzie (R Farmer 77)
Subs not used
J Begg, D Manson
View from the goal
A brilliant response after the major disappointment of Saturday’s cup exit and ibasically it was down to a brilliant team performance however there were some individuals who stood out on the night Rossco, Gav, Kev and the back three are obvious candidates for man of the match. However one young man in my mind was in a class of his own and that is Casta he was simply superb considering that he has had to endure a lot of flak after the carry on at the start of the season but he produced in my opinion his best performance in a PU shirt on Monday and deserved a goal for his efforts but it wasn’t to be. It was always going to be a battle royal but both teams got the ball down and tried to play football the best they could in the conditions and gave plenty entertainment for the big crowd. But we must keep our feet on the ground we have 5 massive games left where we need to achieve the same level of commitment and quality we showed on Monday starting on Thursday against the Ashes who have done brilliantly well after a slow start and have the extra bonus of already being safe from relegation.