Post by Michael Gray on Jul 28, 2004 6:01:01 GMT
The beautiful calm summers night in Dunnet masked the huge tension around this fixture. United knew a win would return them to the top for the first time since the second week of the season while Thistle knew if they avoided defeat they would remove any lingering doubts over their first division status. The early running was pretty even with Gordie Reid prominent although his counterparts in Farmer and Bremner were never to far away from the action. The home side had a good early opportunity when Mackenzie swung in a deep cross for Farquhar who rose above Martin to head down for Nichol who latched onto the ball and produced a good diving save from Richards with Cassidy awaiting any slip. The 2002 champions have enjoyed a torrid time this season as they flirted with relegation but have come good at the right time and it is no coincidence that their injury list has been shrivelling at the same time, Dougie More showed good energy to break down the right before whipping in a cross that Gray took on the stretch just ahead of McColl. United hit back when a Bremner corner was cleared as far as Farmer on the right hand side of the park who whipped in a deep cross for Nichol but the county’s leading marksman was just off target. United were now starting to dominate proceedings through the prompting of Bremner, Mackenzie and Farmer and they came close again from a set piece when Bremner found Brian Gray all alone at the back post but his header never looked like troubling Richards. United maintained a good tempo and Nichol brilliantly found Baker rampaging down the right and he swept in a delightful cross that Farquhar must have only missed by inches before Tommy Sutherland cleared down field. All season United have showen a clear threat from set-pieces and the visitors had a narrow escape when Gray climbed highest to superbly knock the ball down to Nichol who prodded the ball goalwards but Martin managed to clear the ball on the goal line. There was certainly no quarter being asked for or given and this was epitomised when Boyd crunched into Reid dispossessing the midfielder before unleashing a superb shot that seemed destined for the top corner before that man Sutherland again got his head in the way and deflected the ball for a corner. The visitors were however always dangerous on the break with the pace and skill of the McColl/ Sutherland combination upfront although to be fair they were being wonderfully well policed by Boyd and Gray however they did manufacture a set piece opportunity for Reid 25 yards from goal but he failed to hit the target. Five minutes before half time United really should have taken the lead brilliant skill down the left from Mackenzie saw him leave Henderson in his wake and his crossed presented Farquhar with an open goal from a yard out the normally deadly marksman scooped the ball over the top to cries of derision from the sidelines.
Half time
Pentland United 0-0 Wick Thistle
The second half was only minutes old when a deep Bremner corner was powerfully met by Nichol only to see Tommy Sutherland acrobatically hack the ball off the line amid huge cries that the ball had crossed the line. The domination United had built up during the latter stages of the first half continued at the start of the second and Gavin Bremner had an appeal for a penalty turned away by referee Macleod in favour of a foul against the midfiedder as he burst past Davis. The midges were playing havoc on the sidelines and Cassidy was starting to have a similar effect on the Thistle defence where Jamie Sutherland was forced into making a desperate block on his 6 yard line as Cassidy broke free after linking with Mackenzie before blasting goalwards. Ten minutes into the half and suddenly the atmosphere was starting to turn as a mood of anxiety started to appear this was further increased when Nicol produced a sensational freekick that slammed of Richard’s bar, Farmer reacted first but could only float the ball goal wards and the keeper recovered to beat the ball away ahead of Baker. United finally made the breakthrough on the hour mark Mackenzie raced away from Henderson down the left after latching onto a loose ball and crossed for Framer who took a delightful touch before lobbing the ball back into Nichol who powered the ball against the balance of Richards into the net. With twenty-five minutes left Andy Mackay replaced Farquhar who had picked up a dead leg. Thistle though continued to bang away on the counter and Brian Gray was at full stretch to clear Reid’s freekick intended for Hughes. The game was now stretched as United pressed for the killer second and Thistle looking for the equaliser that would make them safe from relegation Cassidy was again denied when he took a return from Nichol got to the edge of the box before firing a shot that seemed destined for the top corner until Martin managed to deflect the ball to safety. The whiley figure of Mackay was beginning to pop up all over the front line and he showed delightful feet work to set away from two tackles before sending in a teasing cross that Baker just got underneath as he attempted to knock the ball back and Nichol’s follow up header was blocked away. Mackay then set up another goalmouth scramble when his corner was only cleared back to him and he produced an intricate lob back into the danger area that so nearly led to the advantage being doubled but Tommy Sutherland again managed to clear under pressure. With the clock ticking away United keeper Gray launched a long ball into the path of Baker his first touch took him away from Fairweather and he appeared to have a free run in on goal but Richards had read the situation and raced from his line to intercept. In the dying minutes Thistle launched a final effort to square the game when substitute Hughes tried to break down the left he was well marchalled by Gray before Bremner completed the clearance as referee Macleod blew the final whistle.
Full time
Pentland United 1-0 Wick Thistle
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. G Bremner 7. M Baker 8. N Mackenzie 9. M Nichol 10. T Farquhar (A Mackay 65) 11. L Cassidy
Subs not used
E Boyd, D Manson, J Begg
View from the goal
A superb performance from the boys with the only thing lacking was more goals I am not saying we deserved to rout Thistle but I didn’t think 1-0 was a fair reflection on the game. The lads all kept at it when it appeared our luck had run out between goal line clearances and the woodwork denying us but we came good in the end. I thought the performance was built on a sound defensive performance where the trio at the back Brian, Bud and Johnny to my mind were simply outstanding against extremely difficult opponents. I would also like to mention Marty Baker who put in a tireless shift with little reward but he harried defenders relentlesly forcing mistakes gave great support and options both attacking and defending at all times. It was actually an enjoyable game to play in even with the tension surrounding the fixture and I put this down to the competitive spirit in which Thistle approached the game. It they had the been able to field that team throughout the season I don’t think there is any question of them being in this position however I don’t see them losing next week thus condemning the Workshop’s to the second division unbelievably as they were impressed in both fixtures against us. It is now down to Wick on Wednesday in another must win game against the Rovers where again we must show the same attitude and determination as we have done in recent weeks. The standard of refereeing was again of high standard in this match I thought Colin Macleod in his first year handled a fairly important and tense game very well and as has been seen in recent weeks always looked to play the advantage, extremely encouraging from a players point of view.
Half time
Pentland United 0-0 Wick Thistle
The second half was only minutes old when a deep Bremner corner was powerfully met by Nichol only to see Tommy Sutherland acrobatically hack the ball off the line amid huge cries that the ball had crossed the line. The domination United had built up during the latter stages of the first half continued at the start of the second and Gavin Bremner had an appeal for a penalty turned away by referee Macleod in favour of a foul against the midfiedder as he burst past Davis. The midges were playing havoc on the sidelines and Cassidy was starting to have a similar effect on the Thistle defence where Jamie Sutherland was forced into making a desperate block on his 6 yard line as Cassidy broke free after linking with Mackenzie before blasting goalwards. Ten minutes into the half and suddenly the atmosphere was starting to turn as a mood of anxiety started to appear this was further increased when Nicol produced a sensational freekick that slammed of Richard’s bar, Farmer reacted first but could only float the ball goal wards and the keeper recovered to beat the ball away ahead of Baker. United finally made the breakthrough on the hour mark Mackenzie raced away from Henderson down the left after latching onto a loose ball and crossed for Framer who took a delightful touch before lobbing the ball back into Nichol who powered the ball against the balance of Richards into the net. With twenty-five minutes left Andy Mackay replaced Farquhar who had picked up a dead leg. Thistle though continued to bang away on the counter and Brian Gray was at full stretch to clear Reid’s freekick intended for Hughes. The game was now stretched as United pressed for the killer second and Thistle looking for the equaliser that would make them safe from relegation Cassidy was again denied when he took a return from Nichol got to the edge of the box before firing a shot that seemed destined for the top corner until Martin managed to deflect the ball to safety. The whiley figure of Mackay was beginning to pop up all over the front line and he showed delightful feet work to set away from two tackles before sending in a teasing cross that Baker just got underneath as he attempted to knock the ball back and Nichol’s follow up header was blocked away. Mackay then set up another goalmouth scramble when his corner was only cleared back to him and he produced an intricate lob back into the danger area that so nearly led to the advantage being doubled but Tommy Sutherland again managed to clear under pressure. With the clock ticking away United keeper Gray launched a long ball into the path of Baker his first touch took him away from Fairweather and he appeared to have a free run in on goal but Richards had read the situation and raced from his line to intercept. In the dying minutes Thistle launched a final effort to square the game when substitute Hughes tried to break down the left he was well marchalled by Gray before Bremner completed the clearance as referee Macleod blew the final whistle.
Full time
Pentland United 1-0 Wick Thistle
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. G Bremner 7. M Baker 8. N Mackenzie 9. M Nichol 10. T Farquhar (A Mackay 65) 11. L Cassidy
Subs not used
E Boyd, D Manson, J Begg
View from the goal
A superb performance from the boys with the only thing lacking was more goals I am not saying we deserved to rout Thistle but I didn’t think 1-0 was a fair reflection on the game. The lads all kept at it when it appeared our luck had run out between goal line clearances and the woodwork denying us but we came good in the end. I thought the performance was built on a sound defensive performance where the trio at the back Brian, Bud and Johnny to my mind were simply outstanding against extremely difficult opponents. I would also like to mention Marty Baker who put in a tireless shift with little reward but he harried defenders relentlesly forcing mistakes gave great support and options both attacking and defending at all times. It was actually an enjoyable game to play in even with the tension surrounding the fixture and I put this down to the competitive spirit in which Thistle approached the game. It they had the been able to field that team throughout the season I don’t think there is any question of them being in this position however I don’t see them losing next week thus condemning the Workshop’s to the second division unbelievably as they were impressed in both fixtures against us. It is now down to Wick on Wednesday in another must win game against the Rovers where again we must show the same attitude and determination as we have done in recent weeks. The standard of refereeing was again of high standard in this match I thought Colin Macleod in his first year handled a fairly important and tense game very well and as has been seen in recent weeks always looked to play the advantage, extremely encouraging from a players point of view.