For the sixth game on the spin United went on their travels this time down to Sinclair Bay to face Keiss in the first round of the E Macintosh Cup. The early signs were good when Murray and Allan renewed their striking partnership from last season to carve out the first opportunity of the game which saw Allan race in on Bain who stood up to bring of a very impressive block United were playing some decent stuff building up to the final third at times lacked that final killer instinct. The break through came after 15 mins Murray and McKechnie linked to find Allan in the box he twisted away from Mackenzie to fire a left foot shot high into the net from 12 yards. This relaxed the United said but still the final third lacked the necessary drive really necessary to trouble the resilient home defence. Derek Manson’s touch failed at the last minute when Murray played a beautiful through ball allowing the wide man to step on to the ball but his touch brought the keeper into play. Keeper Gray gave his side a little scare after 25 mins when he intercepted a through ball and attempted to clear but only succeeded in hitting the back of Macgregor the ball flew over the keeper but he recovered the ball on the bye line much to the dismay of linesman Hughes, who was struggling to keep up with play. Murray then settled any nerves when he received the ball 12 yards from goal to the right of the box he cut inside feigning passed a couple of desperate lunges before rifling the ball high into the net. The conditions nor the surface were conducive but United continued to push on but Keiss were well organised and resilient at the back. Murray really should have stretched the lead further after good link up play from Begg and Allan left the striker with a clear view of goal 8 yards out but his shot drifted to the right of the goal. Darryn Mackay was utilised in central midfield for this game and he was making a lot of penetrating runs into the final third but each time at the crucial stage he was being crowded out by the retreating Keiss rearguard.
Half time
Keiss 0-2 Pentland United
As always at 2-0 the next goal is crucial although United had enjoyed the lion’s share of the game anything can happen in football as it would turn out even an inspired second half display from Bain would not deny United a place in the next round. Murray effectively settled the tie ten minutes into the half after picking up the ball on the right hand side he rolled Harris and drifted into the box in remarkably similar effect to his first he dummied his way passed a number of desperate challenges before he was faced with the keeper whereby he just passed the ball into the net. Keiss seemed resigned to defeat at this point but continued to show a battling spirit that will stand them in good stead through the season. Murray completed his hat-trick on the hour mark racing clear on to a Begg through ball and neatly touched the ball passed the advancing keeper. United started to ring the changes pretty quickly after that with Coghill, Macdougall and Harrold replacing Allan, Manson and Mackenzie. Substitute Coghill would go on to have a day to forget in front of goal as he rather botched his lines at the crucial stage. The first opportunity came after Murray had done brilliantly down the right driving down the byeline before cutting the ball back perfectly for Coghill who seemed to drive home but only found the diving Bain. He had an even bigger miss with 15 mins left when again Murray did superbly well on the right before dinking in a cross for the striker this time his header was repelled by Bain the rebound saw Darryn Mackay’s effort blocked before finally the keeper recovered to make a quite brilliant bloack when it seemed Harrold would surely score. The scoring was wrapped up with ten minutes left again Murray the architect driving down the right and cutting it back for Ryan Begg to lash the ball home from 8 yards at the near post as United progressed to meet John O’Groats in Dunnet on Monday June 6th
Full time
Keiss 0-5 Pentland United
M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. D Manson (L Harrold 62) 4. G Steven 5. D Mackay 6. M Steven (c) 7. R Begg 8. J Mackenzie (L Macdougall 62) 9. J Murray 10. R Allan (H Coghill 72) 11. J Mckechnie
View from the goal
A patchy display thought our build up play was decent but lacked pace in the final third allowing Keiss to regroup far too easily. Having said that it was a difficult night for football and we are in the next round so job done.