CAFA League Division One - Thursday 7th of August 2003
Pentland United 6 V Wick Groats 0 - By Michael Gray
The blistering sunshine over the previous few days had taken its toll on the
local climate with haze like conditions never to far away around Dunnet
although the sun was making every attempt to break through. United entered
the final league game of the season knowing that a win was essential and
furthermore the likelihood of goal difference coming into play was
significant. United made one change to the side, which had been pushed hard
on Monday night by the Groats, Willie Inrig made a welcome step up from the
touch line to claim a midfield spot at the expensive of Boyd who dropped to
the bench, Luke Cassidy and Derek Manson also joined him there after both
returning from holidays.
Early nerves were apparent both on and off the field on the sidelines ears
were regularly seen glued to mobile phones trying to establish just how
proceedings were transpiring down in Wick. However on the field of play
Willie Inrig was keen to make an early impression and his shot from fully
twenty five yards stung the hands of Macleod who pushed the ball into the
air and recovered well to hold on to the ball at the second attempt.
Groats had already shown earlier in the week that they were no push overs and were
keen to re-establish that line of the thought in this fixture and one can't
but help thinking if only this kind of spirit, determination and the quality
had been shown throughtout the season they certainly would not have been
playing 2nd division football next term.
Morris and Farquhar were never going to have an easy ride up front against the experienced duo of MacDonald
and Miller roped in with the impressive Macgregor at the back combining to
produce a solid defensive unit.
Beattie sent in a deep teasing cross for Morris to attack but although he managed to hold off Macgregor the centre
half had done enough to prevent a clear header and the big man just couldn't
quite find the target. Farquhar then missed a glorious chance fastening on
to a Morris knockdown he found himself in the clear with only the keeper to
beat but his finish was a disappointing attempted lob that landed harmlessly
in the advancing Macleod's arms. Mackenzie did well down the left and cut
back on to his right foot swinging in a tempting ball that eluded all the
attackers and Beattie seemed to have done enough holding off Swanson but the
ball just wouldn't sit down to allow him to shoot and once again the
grateful keeper clutched the loose ball.
The opening goal finally did come after 25 mins a deep Inrig cross from the right saw Morris take one touch to
kill the ball at the back post the next touch put United into the lead in a
fashion very similar to his goal on the Monday night fixture.
Groats were still plugging away but for their possession couldn't really turn them into
goal scoring opportunities although it wasn't for the lack of trying
especially from the Ross brothers who were always willing outlets in fact at
times maybe even a little too keen one such comment to referee Wheatcroft
saw Craig enter the book for the game's first caution and he was quickly
followed by Ross Sutherland who had failed to retreat ten yards from a
freekick for the second time in five minutes.
United doubled their advantage ten minutes before the break a long Gray clearance was nodded down by
Farquhar and Morris seized on the opportunity brushing aside MacDonald and
laying the ball back for the inrushing Bremner who cracked a superb drive
from the edge of the box into the net past Macleod who never moved.
Breathing space for United who now emitted a much more relaxed persona
throughout and it could have got better when Farquhar got into tangle with
Miller in the box but his appeal to referee Wheatcroft was in vain. A slack
cross field pass from Swanson then saw Morris latch onto another opportunity
but he sclaffed his shot from the edge of the box and the ball went wide in
about the final chance of the half.
Half-time 2-0 to PUFC
United opened in the second 45 with clear intentions of trying to put the
game beyond the Groats at the earliest opportunity but a combination of
resolute defending and poor finishing meant that it was far from plain
sailing. Martin Baker made a superb early run up the left hand side of the
park linking with Nigel Mackenzie he cruised into the box and cut the ball
back for Morris who took a touch but couldn't quite get his shot off quick
enough as the Groats defence encroached and the ball deflected away for a
corner the resulting flag kick also failed to produce a goal.
Bremner controlled a Beattie throw-in before lobbing a ball into Mackenzie who sent
a superb volley in from the edge of the box but Macleod was equal to the
effort and turned it over the bar. MacDonald then so nearly handed the
Groats a lifeline back into the game linking well from the back he strode
forward and from about twenty five yards and let fly with a vicious shot
that had Gray scrambling to turn the ball round the post at the expense of a
corner. From the resulting set piece the keeper struggled to get a touch to
the ball but Miller couldn't get to the ball either and the ball span away
for another corner however this time the keeper did collect the ball at the
first time of asking.
Kyle Ross then had the keeper working again with a low drive from the edge of the box that the Gray deflected away from goal but as the attackers waited to pounce Skinner made the interception and cleared the
danger.
The significance of the United defence holding firm during through
this period was magnified further when Farquhar made it number three, Morris
won a challenge with MacDonald on half-way but Macgregor intercepted the
loose ball way but was short with the back pass allowing Farquhar to nip in
round Macleod and score from a reasonably tight angle to all but put the game
beyond Groats who had held the upper hand in the game for the ten minutes
previous.
With twenty minutes to go this was further confirmed when Morris
and Farquhar linked up again and it saw Farquhar clean in Macleod made a
good diving save at the attackers feet but the ball ricocheted back off the
helpless Macgregor and rolled into the unguarded net.
United were really turning the screw at this point and attacking at will with the Groats
visibly rocked by the two goals in quick succession turning the whole game.
The heart was really knocked out of the visitors and Farquhar made it 5 with
15 minutes to go and it was a peach, superb link up play down the right saw
Beattie racing clear and he composed himself before delivering a superb near
post ball that saw Farquhar get across his marker and finish the move in
some style.
Not content with that Beattie wanted in on the act himself and
with 10 minutes left he helped himself to the goal of the game and it was
something of a role reversal from the previous effort. Farquhar did well to
turn his man thirty yards out and towards the touch line allowing Beattie to
go screaming past him and he played the ball in front of the wideman and he
flashed the ball from just inside right hand side of the box across the
keeper into the far corner of the net without even breaking stride.
This was to be his last involvement as he was replaced almost immediately by J
Sutherland to a rousing reception from the home fans keen to recognise his
involvement in the final two goals. The game fairly petered away in the last
ten minutes as the urgency United had shown previous seemed to drain away.
M Gray, J Skinner, M Baker, R Farmer, R Sutherland, G Bremner, W Inrig,R Beattie (J Sutherland 80),
T Farquhar, K Morris, N Mackenzie. Subs not used - D Manson, G Elder, L Cassidy and H Boyd
An anxious 15 minutes later United were confirmed as the 1st division
champions of Caithness once again and this crowned another marvellous season
for the Canisbay team, committee and supporters alike.
I am sure everyone has their own highlight of the season but for me the semi final win over
Wick Thistle in the E Macintosh Cup epitomised exactly what Pentland United
are all about missing several key players and in fact only having 13 players
available for the tie they produced a sterling performance against the then
reigning league champions not only beating them but comfortably 4-0 was a
tremendous effort.
All three county trophies in the bag are a sound return
for the season's efforts and although the HA Cup exit was something of a
disappointment I am sure there will be other opportunities to win that
trophy back.
I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the players to thank one
and all for the support both on and off the field throughout the season and
hopefully we will be toasting another great season at the same time next
year.
CAFA League Division One - Monday 4th of August 2003
Wick Groats 0 V Pentland United 3 - By Michael Gray
Another glorious Caithness night welcomed the United entourage to Wick for
the penultimate league fixture of the 2003 season slightly contrasting
surface conditions however compared with the Friday night fixture with a
rather worn looking Upper Bignold park showing the signs of a hard summer.
United were forced to make a couple of changes to the squad that had won the
David Allan Shield on Friday night Brian Gray started a two game suspension
while Luke Cassidy was unavailable, Hamish Boyd returned to the first 11
while Willie Inrig made a welcome return to the squad after injury.
Nigel Mackenzie showed early signs that he may be in the mood to unlock the
Groats defence marshalled by the experienced duo of Miller and MacDonald.
His first run took him past marker Sutherland and as the chance opened up
for him he struck a low drive but unfortunately the ball flew into the side
net past the diving Macleod.
United's main problem seemed to be their inability to fasten on to secondary possession in quick succession Morris
and Sutherland both rose clear from their markers and managed to return the
ball into dangerous areas but on both occasions keeper Macleod stepped
forward to claim the ball unchallenged.
K Ross tried to respond for the home outfit and his shot, which bounced awkwardly of the turf and caused keeper
Gray a moment of concern but he held on to the ball.
Beattie was trying to make his impression on the match and he dispossessed Swanson on the right
hand side before his run and cross almost brought about the opener but for a
timely intervention by Miller, Morris would have had a clear sight of goal.
Bremner then won the ball thirty yards from his own goal and produced a
superb run and as the chance opened up in front of him he elected to shoot
and his shot drifted harmlessly away but he had made his intention clear.
The opener came after 25 mins and it came from a Bremner corner from the
left he delivered a pinpoint cross onto Morris's head and he bulleted the
ball downwards with Ross Sutherland reacting quickest to flick the ball home
from a reasonably tight challenge to settle some of the early nerves
displayed by United.
S Sutherland became the game's first booking for a rash challenge on the goalscorer after he had linked well with Mackenzie and got to the bye line. Farmer almost doubled the lead with a powerful header from
a Beattie corner he rose at the near post as he came away from goal and
re-directed a firm header only inches wide with Macleod beaten.
Five minutes before half-time the visitors doubled their advantage and it came from
another corner this time from the opposite side and from a Beattie delivery
again Morris rose highest and sent in a powerful header that Farquhar
redirected with the merest of touches however it was enough to wrong foot
the home defence and ball nestled in the back of the net.
Half-time 2-0 to PUFC
United tried to impose themselves right from the kick-off but their play
somehow lacked the real free flowing style they had displayed for the
majority of the season too often they became bogged down in the wide areas
and all too frequently the final ball came up short in terms of quality.
The third goal however came less than ten minutes into the second half and it
was largely down to good individual play from Russel Beattie he stole the
ball from Swanson on half way and strode forward dragging two defenders out
to him before delivering a pin point cross, which saw Morris take a quality
first touch before prodding the ball home to surely put the game beyond the
Groats. Although the goal probably sounded the death nail for the Groats
fight for survival you would have never known it they continued to battle
and fight for every inch of the park and every loose ball.
United almost made it four from a Bremner freekick on the right, which saw John Skinner
nod the ball goalwards and Ross Sutherland producing the deftest of backheel
touches but Macleod was equal to it and produced a very good save pushing
the ball up onto the bar and the chance disappeared.
K Ross earned the Groats a freekick on the very edge of the area after a quick counter had saw
United toiling to get back and Skinner saw fit to end the attack rather
abruptly knocking the striker to the ground, C Ross took the freekick but he
failed to beat the wall and Gray gathered up the ricochet.
Gavin Bremner then tried his luck from distance after a three man link-up between
Sutherland and Farquhar allowed him possession in the centre of the park but
his shot was high and wide. United then missed an extraordinary chance when
Farquhar rose highest he headed the ball down and it appeared all Morris had
to do was tap the ball into the empty net all be it from a tight angle but
he missed controlled the ball and it crossed the bye line harmlessly for a
goal kick.
Beattie then set off on a brilliant run leaving two defenders in
his wake as he cruised into the box his run was brought to a grinding halt
by Miller but the huge appeals for a penalty were ignored by referee Gunn.
United then made a couple of changes J Sutherland and Willie Inrig replacing
Farquhar and Boyd resulting in somewhat of a reshuffle with Farmer
retreating to sweeper and Skinner moving to a marking role. In fact Skinner
was one of the more prominent attackers in the latter stages proving a
useful outlet and one dazzling run nearly resulted in him opening his
account for the year but it just wasn't to be.
With around 10 to go Elder replaced Beattie for the final change and the substitute had the final
opportunity when he met Skinner's low cross and fired it at the goal but
Macleod was up to it and pushed the ball for a corner.
Match summary
A slightly disappointing display from United maybe suffering the effects of
such a tough match on the Friday previous but whatever the reason the
football was not of a great standard. Too often the final ball failed to
pick out a team mate although the surface in Wick was certainly not
conducive to good football also the finishing very rarely troubled the
keeper. For me the top performers on the night were Martin Baker who rarely
put a foot wrong gave the opposition very little room and used the ball
sensibly when in possession and Ross Sutherland who managed to fit in a
power of work and covered a lot of ground with the added bonus of notching
the opening goal.
M Gray, J Skinner, R Farmer, M Baker, H Boyd (Inrig 72), G Bremner, R Sutherland
T Farquhar (J Sutherland 75), R Beattie (G Elder 81), K Morris,N Mackenzie
Davie Allan Shield Final - Friday 1st of August 2003
Thurso Acks 1 V Pentland United 1 (PUFC won 4-2 on pens a.e.t) - By Michael Gray
A cool night greeted both teams to Castletown for this re-arranged David Allan Shield Cup Final Martin Baker returned to the starting eleven having
recovered from his rib injury with Luke Cassidy dropping to the bench. Both sides were as strong as they could possibly be rightly justifying the
decision to schedule the game on the Friday night so scathenly challenged in the local press.
Both sides opened brightly on an excellent surface although the niggling
undercurrent that so often goes with these games was always just below the
surface ready to rear at any point and would do so frequently during this
game. Early clear cut chances were few and far between but went down to some
good defending as both sides were not scared to get the ball into
potentially dangerous areas at every opportunity.
Nigel Mackenzie had the game's first real chance when a superb diagonal pass from Morris found him
all alone on the edge but he delayed his shot a fraction too long and was
crowded out eventually by a combination of Campbell and Moar.
The opening goal from United came after 15 mins when Graeme Reid's attempted clearance
was charged down by Tony Farquhar who got to the bye line before crossing
where Moar could only turn the ball into his own net past Swanson under
pressure from Morris.
A booming clearance from Gray then had the Acks sweeper under more pressure he managed to head the ball away from goal but
Morris intercepted the ball ahead of keeper Swanson but could only drive the
ball into the side net from a very tight angle.
The same players tangled again on the edge of the box and once again Morris came out on top but when
he drove his shot goalwards he could only look on as Reid retreated to clear
the ball of the line. The seemingly telepathic understanding between
MacDougall and Murray up front always a feature of Acks attacking play
created their first opportunity when Murray picked up the winger's lay-off
and cut inside Skinner but could only shoot over under pressure.
Murray then retreating to turn on the ball at the half way line got tangled up with R
Sutherland and the ensuing melee resulted in both players entering Mr
Makhouli's notebook.
Reid joined them shortly afterwards for a reckless challenge on Morris after the big striker had done brilliantly to
controlling the ball and turning away from the centre half in one movement.
Baker then made an absolutely crucial block on Murray as once again the Acks
striker broke along the bye line causing problems for the United rear guard.
Beattie who was involved in an absorbing tussle on the right with MacDougall
then set off past two players on the wing but as he prepared to cut along
the bye line a sliding challenge from Green appeared to impede him, however
the referee and his assistant agreed that no infringement had in fact taken
place. The wide man showed the other side of his game moments later tracking
back he thwarted MacDougall in a potentially dangerous position and produced
and excellent clearing ball finding Farquhar in space on half way.
The equaliser came a couple of minutes before half time via an ill fated
decision by keeper Gray to come for a long Reid freekick, which he couldn't
hold on to a massive scramble then ensued with MacDougall firing goalwards
and Green managing to get the merest of touches on the ball glancing the
ball into the net.
Just seconds later Farquhar joined the growing list of
offenders in the book for a crude challenge on Coghill after the Acks man
had dispossessed him on halfway.
Half-time 1-1
United opened the second half with more purpose trying to stretch the Acks
defence at every opportunity Mackenzie in particular always keen to get on
the ball. Michael Bremner had a good early chance at the edge of the box
but his superb low drive just missed the target after good build up play
from MacDougall on the left.
A deep Mackenzie cross then created panic in the Acks defence when keeper Swanson could not hold on to the ball Beattie
reclaimed the ball but when he fired the ball back into the danger area Reid
mopped up and averted the danger. At this stage the game was being played at
a frantic pace both sides really going at it hammer and tongs and serving up
a cracker for the big crowd.
MacDougall ensured United keeper Gray had to look lively when he produced a good counter attack and whipped in a low near
post ball than had the stopper at full stretch to hold on to it. United then
made the first change of the match Cassidy replacing Farquhar and the young
frontman almost made an instant hit when he produced a superb turn and fired
just wide but he made it plainly clear he was in the mood. Murray so nearly
found himself in the clear only moments later seizing on a Gray mistake he
was clear in on keeper Gray but his touch was a little to heavy allowing
Gray to smother the ball at his feet.
The tiring Beattie was then replaced by the Boyd and he immediately had an impact sending in a teasing centre
that found Morris but he delayed too long before feeding Mackenzie but his
shot was wild and never likely to trouble Swanson.
Jamie Mackenzie had an opportunity shortly afterwards turning on the edge of the box he found
himself in space but his shot was just to straight. MacDougall was the next
player to be shown the yellow card when he took his protests over a Moar
challenge on Boyd too far.
Luke Cassidy once again showed a good touch to control a feed from Mackenzie before again turning superbly and firing
agonisingly across goal with Swanson rooted to the spot. Late in the game
Boyd thought he had won the final for United when he showed great pace and
power to beat MacDougall and his driven cross was diverted via Moar into the
Acks net only for assistant referee Arrowsmith to rule the ball had already
crossed the line before the United man had cut the ball back.
Full-time 1-1
With the stalemate the game moved into extra-time with very few people if
any leaving early from this engrossing contest. The first period kicked off
with a slightly nervous feel about it both teams knowing one mistake would
cost the game with the golden goal ruling in place.
Boyd had a glorious chance to win the final when another superb turn from Cassidy allowed him
the time and space to pick a superb pass that played the big man clean in on
goal he took a touch before firing in a good low shot, which brought the
save of the game from Swanson with his feet.
At the other end of the pitch Murray turned and cut inside once again with pace and purpose whoever he
couldn't quite direct his shot on target. Gavin Bremner had the final chance
of the half when a Mackenzie cross eluded everyone and found him at the back
post only for the former Acks man's first time shot to rise just to steeply
without troubling Swanson.
E/T Half-time 1-1
Fatigue was beginning to set in throughout both sides and little wonder
considering the pace of the game. A deep Bremner freekick saw Morris rise
brilliantly at the far post and produce a superb knockdown, which seemed
destined to be a goal with both Boyd and Cassidy on the scene but superb
defending from MacDougall denied the Canisbay men a shot at goal.
Disaster then struck for Acks when frontman Murray after some good skill beat a
couple of players on the edge of the box but knocked the ball to far ahead
of himself resulting in a desperate lunge that caught Gray above the ankle
that left him reeling in agony referee Makhouli had no option but to issue
the Acks man his second yellow card and ultimately a red one.
This soured the atmosphere somewhat but to be fair to the referee the manner the game
was played in it was highly unlikely that both teams would finish with 11
right from kick off. Jamie Mackenzie adopted the lone striker role and he
produced a wonderful bit of skill on the left to beat Gray and as he cut
into the box the chance really opened up for him and only a timely block
from Skinner denied him the chance.
With only minutes to go skipper Farmer was presented with a glorious chance to win the cup after brilliant play
from Boyd found him all alone at the back post but stretching he could only volley past the post. That brought the game to a close and the match would
be decided on penalties.
United clinch the second trophy of the season in a tense tight affair with
neither team excelling and the game too often being broken up by petty feuds
round the park. The first half was a fairly even affair with Acks ahead in
terms of territory and possession and United sneaking it in goal scoring
chances. The second half I thought United were the better team and reacted
really well to losing such a sloppy goal on half time although their
finishing at times was a little wayward. Within the extra time period an
awful lot of nerves shown and the littering of fouls throughout was bound to
catch up eventually unfortunately for Alan Murray he was the unlucky
character. A tough way to lose any game but until a better option is found
the only way to separate teams is penalties even though it is a lottery in
so many ways.
For me Morris and Skinner were the United's best performers on the night
closely followed by a largely unsung hero this season in Beattie who put in
a tremendous shift although he suffered for that later on in the game.
M Gray, B Gray, J Skinner, M Baker, R Farmer, G Bremner, R Beattie (Boyd 75), R Sutherland,
T Farquhar (Cassidy 65), K Morris, N Mackenzie, Subs not used - J Sutherland and G Elder
Reports - April and May 2003