United returned to David Allan Shield duty in Halkirk against a home side buoyed by a resounding victory v FSC in the previous round. The visitors started brightly and passing was off the highest standard especially from the defensive positions where the home side were struggling to contain the fullbacks as they pushed on into more advanced areas. The first real chance fell to James Murray who intercepted a slack pass from Gunn and raced towards goal but elected to shoot from 20 yards rather than continue in on the keeper and Allan gathered comfortably at his near post. The momentum continued with the visitors and Ross Allan maybe should have done better on the 15 minute mark after Derek Manson released him down the left channel the winger again drove towards the box but this time the finish was wild and flew high over the bar. The home side rallied and Mathew Mackay tried acrobatically to open the scoring but his volley from a Paul Mackay cross was at a good height for Gray diving to his left to clutch the ball. Ross Allan duly made up for his earlier miss after 22 mins picking up the ball 30 yards from goal there seemed little danger but he strode forward and unleashed a quite sensational effort the flew into his namesake Lee’s bottom left corner. The wingers effect on the game was growing all the time and he sent in two corners in quick succession that were just asking to be finished off as Halkirk started to creak under the pressure. In fact Gavin Sutherland came to his side’s rescue after 35 minutes when he brilliantly blocked a powerful net bound Grant Steven header again from a Ross Allan delivery. However the centre back was not to be denied and duly added the second minutes before the break, Darryn Mackay’s wicked freekick saw Blackwood head the ball straight up in the air on for Steven to react quickest, rise and bullet a header passed the diving Allan.

Half time

Halkirk 0-2 Pentland United

After a bright opening to the half United were stung after 55 minutes when Petrie conceded a very soft penalty with a lazy challenge on former United man Gavin Sutherland who stepped inside the midfielder drawing the challenge. Stevie Elder assumed the responsibility and made an immaculate job finding the corner of the net to Gray’s left. And within minutes it could have been all square Derek Munro picked up on halfway threaded a beautiful through ball for Gavin Sutherland who ran in on Gray but was thwarted by he merest of touches from the keeper halting his progress. This was probably to be the home sides final clear cut chance as United again took a stranglehold on possession and territory. Michael Petrie struck the woodwork after 66 mins cutting inside on to his left foot the ball seemed destined to beat Allan but the post came to keepers rescue. The keeper then excelled himself on a couple of occasions in quick succession firstly Cowie’s high ball to the back post picked out Mackay whose first shot was blocked at close range and as the ball broke loose the keeper again produced a fine stop at his near post. Minutes later again superb anticipation saw dive bravely at the feet of Manson as the full back seemed destined to score. Mark Nichol had missed the game v Groats with the flu and was still recovering so was not risked from the start but the striker on his entrance v nearly made an immediate impact when he brilliantly linked with Petrie and sent across a quite brilliant cross that should have been forced home but the lack of a presence in the box was apparent. The striker obviously disappointed with his teams efforts to latch on to his cross then tried to take matters into his own hands and drilled a left foot shot just wide from 20 yards. At the death United substitute Coghill looked to have made room for a clear shot on gaol after nipping passed Mathew Mackay but seemed to lose his footing at the crucial moment.

Full time

Halkirk 1-2 Pentland United

1. M Gray 2. J McKechnie 3. D Manson 4. G Steven 5. M Steven (c) 6. D Mackay 7. M Petrie 8. G Macleod (M Nichol 62) 9. J Murray (H Coghill 85) 10. D Cowie (J Mckechnie 87) 11. R Allan

Sub not used

C Hollywood

View from the goal

Our build up play was pretty easy on the eye and we certainly held the upper hand in terms of possession and territory but our option taking and application in the final third left a lot to be desired it has to be said. We will need to improve dramatically for Thursday night in order to get 3 points, which Halkirk will want every bit as us.