Post by Michael Gray on Jul 29, 2004 9:46:29 GMT
The temperature from the Caithness sun mirrored the heat in the title race as United entered their penultimate league fixture knowing nothing less than 3 points would suffice. Once again the injury jinx that has been following the club around recently like a bad smell struck again with Tony Farquhar and Andy Mackay both succumbing to knocks from Monday night’s fixture however on a brighter note Willie Inrig declared himself fit for the battle. In stark contrast to Monday night’s fixture United got the proverbial dream start when Gavin Bremner slipped a delightful through ball over the Rovers defence allowing Mackenzie to race clear and draw McGee before slipping the ball into the net. If United had any nerves certainly settled them and after ten minutes they evaporated further when Nichol robbed Muir in the right back area and raced to the byeline before cutting the ball across goal McGee lunged but Mackenzie’s deft touch nipped the ball away from the keeper and he gleefully prodded the bal into the empty net. A lot of speculation surrounds the wideman’s future with Wick Academy heavily tipped to re-sign him this winter and he was showing the kind of form that has attracted them and others in the early period of this game. After quarter of an hour he was gain involved in the thick of the action latching on to an Inrig through ball rounding McGee but could only find the side net with his finish. Rover’s have enjoyed a reasonably successful season enjoying the comfort of midtable security in fact they were the first team to take points from long time league leaders Acks when they drew 2-2 each in Wick. Up front they always looked lively and Lyall had the chance to pull them back into the game when he was picked out by Mackay with an excellent cross but the frontman couldn’t hit the target with his header. The miss was to prove costly as United broke again and once more it was that man Mackenzie breaking down the left he beat Harper at the corner flag and cut along the byeline before crossing for Baker to fire high into the net and open his season’s account making it 3-0 after twenty minutes. However United started to drift slightly in the context of the match they regularly failed to retain possession and their passing became slack as perhaps they considered the task complete. Brian Gray did however try to increase the advantage in spectacular fashion when Gavin Bremner tried to lay him in along the 18 yard line but his shot was well wide. Luke Cassidy had a similar attempt with his left foot after the ball broke to him 25 yards from goal. The homeside were however gradually forcing their way back into the game helped by the relaxed attitude United had adopted and they paid for it ten minutes before half time when Davidson powered a header from a Mackay corner into the top corner. This visibly stung the visitors as inquests were held throughout the side as to how the scorer had been left so open. Luke Cassidy tried to kick start the United performance when he skipped away from a couple of tackles and stood a cross up to the back post where Mackenzie got his head to the ball but unfortunately it lacked power and McGee handled it reasonably comfortably. The final chance of the half fell to top scorer Nichol when he volleyed a shot into the near post after Mackenzie had dinked a ball over the top for him.
Half time
Wick Rovers 1-3 Pentland United
The half-time team talk looked to have re-focussed the United effort as they made the early running with McGee making a good save from Mackenzie after he cut in from the left and fired in a shot from 25 yards. Ten minutes into the half Boyd pulled the save of the match out of McGee when he powered a header goal wards from a Gray long throw but the keeper was equal to it and managed to get a strong hand to the effort turning it round the post. The visitors were still buoyed by the goal they had nicked before half time and were determined to snatch the next goal and set up a real grandstand finish and it took all of John Skinner’s strength and experience to force a dangerous Sinclair freekick away from Davidson. However United effectively killed the game with twenty five minutes remaining when indecision in the home defence saw Mackenzie run on to a long ball and bundle the ball past the advancing McGee before tapping into the empty net to relieve the pressure. Inrig had put in a good show so far especially considering his recent injury woes and he almost capped his comeback with a goal after stepping away from a couple of tackles it opened up for him but he dragged his shot wide. This was to be his last involvement of note as he was withdrawn as a precautionary measure and replaced with Begg who had recovered from a back problem. Gavin Bremner had shown terrific energy all night and was inches away from number five after latching on to a loose ball on the edge of the box he rocketed a shot that shaved the outside of McGee's right hand post. With just over fifteen minutes left disaster struck, when Cassidy booked in the first half for a careless lunge, recklessly brought Sinclair to ground picking up a second yellow in the process and ultimately a red. the set back didn't seem to distract Bremner however as he continued to push forward at every opportunity and again McGee had to be alert to hold the ball on the line after the midfielder had unleashed a dipping shot from fully 30 yards. With five minutes left in the game Nichol rose highest at the back post to meet a fine Bremner corner and bulleted a header goalwards, which McGee blocked away and as a scramble ensued the play was called back for an infringement against Nichol during the setpiece. In fact the same player was involved in the last action of the game when he met a deep Bremner cross and powered the ball home only to be once again harshly penalised for a push.
Full time
Wick Rovers 1-4 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. G Bremner 7. M Baker 8. W Inrig (J Begg 70) 9. M Nichol 10. L Cassidy 11. N Mackenzie
Subs not used
E Boyd, D Manson, R Sutherland
View from the goal
Well for the first twenty minutes we were on fire knocking the ball about making space for each other finding our passes got to 3-0 and stopped, which was disappointing. But to be fair to Rovers they never gave up and showed a good willingness to compete all over the park and kept going right to the end. A nice wee hat-trick for Bobby Dazzler putting him on to 15 for the season, 10 from the league so not a bad return really. Casta what a man 4-1 up and already booked and he naps one of their players for megging him when will he learn put a slight dampner on the night but thankfully it won’t affect his availability for Monday’s crucial match. Apart from Bobby I thought Gavin had a tremendous game showing terrific energy right to the very end. So for the third year in a row the league goes down to the final game of the season where we will need to be at our very best to defeat Castletown who will be intent on spoiling our chances.
Half time
Wick Rovers 1-3 Pentland United
The half-time team talk looked to have re-focussed the United effort as they made the early running with McGee making a good save from Mackenzie after he cut in from the left and fired in a shot from 25 yards. Ten minutes into the half Boyd pulled the save of the match out of McGee when he powered a header goal wards from a Gray long throw but the keeper was equal to it and managed to get a strong hand to the effort turning it round the post. The visitors were still buoyed by the goal they had nicked before half time and were determined to snatch the next goal and set up a real grandstand finish and it took all of John Skinner’s strength and experience to force a dangerous Sinclair freekick away from Davidson. However United effectively killed the game with twenty five minutes remaining when indecision in the home defence saw Mackenzie run on to a long ball and bundle the ball past the advancing McGee before tapping into the empty net to relieve the pressure. Inrig had put in a good show so far especially considering his recent injury woes and he almost capped his comeback with a goal after stepping away from a couple of tackles it opened up for him but he dragged his shot wide. This was to be his last involvement of note as he was withdrawn as a precautionary measure and replaced with Begg who had recovered from a back problem. Gavin Bremner had shown terrific energy all night and was inches away from number five after latching on to a loose ball on the edge of the box he rocketed a shot that shaved the outside of McGee's right hand post. With just over fifteen minutes left disaster struck, when Cassidy booked in the first half for a careless lunge, recklessly brought Sinclair to ground picking up a second yellow in the process and ultimately a red. the set back didn't seem to distract Bremner however as he continued to push forward at every opportunity and again McGee had to be alert to hold the ball on the line after the midfielder had unleashed a dipping shot from fully 30 yards. With five minutes left in the game Nichol rose highest at the back post to meet a fine Bremner corner and bulleted a header goalwards, which McGee blocked away and as a scramble ensued the play was called back for an infringement against Nichol during the setpiece. In fact the same player was involved in the last action of the game when he met a deep Bremner cross and powered the ball home only to be once again harshly penalised for a push.
Full time
Wick Rovers 1-4 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. J Skinner 4. H Boyd 5. R Farmer (c) 6. G Bremner 7. M Baker 8. W Inrig (J Begg 70) 9. M Nichol 10. L Cassidy 11. N Mackenzie
Subs not used
E Boyd, D Manson, R Sutherland
View from the goal
Well for the first twenty minutes we were on fire knocking the ball about making space for each other finding our passes got to 3-0 and stopped, which was disappointing. But to be fair to Rovers they never gave up and showed a good willingness to compete all over the park and kept going right to the end. A nice wee hat-trick for Bobby Dazzler putting him on to 15 for the season, 10 from the league so not a bad return really. Casta what a man 4-1 up and already booked and he naps one of their players for megging him when will he learn put a slight dampner on the night but thankfully it won’t affect his availability for Monday’s crucial match. Apart from Bobby I thought Gavin had a tremendous game showing terrific energy right to the very end. So for the third year in a row the league goes down to the final game of the season where we will need to be at our very best to defeat Castletown who will be intent on spoiling our chances.