United progressed to their first cup final of the season after dour encounter in Castletown where a solitary Grant Steven goal his third in as many games was the difference between the two sides. The home side actually started the brighter and Nicolson had a decent run cutting in from the right and fired in a low shot from 18 yards that Gray got a finger tip to, whether the shot was actually going in was debateable but the keeper could not take any chances. The response from United was positive good link up play saw James Murray race clear but his driven shot flew wide of McCulloch’s left hand post. Local hero Tony Farquhar made a welcome first outing of the season and as ever his aerial presence was a threat and he narrowly headed over Darryn Mackay’s corner. After 22 mins Grant Steven missed a good chance from another Mackay set-piece stealing a march on his marker he drove into the near post but his header flew inches wide. However United were not having things all their own way and after some slack play in midfield Castletown broke free down the right and a fine cross from Nicolson picked out the inrushing Sutherland but he dragged his volley wide although to be fair it was an extremely difficult chance with the ball coming over his shoulder. The striker was then nearly gifted a goal as Gray and Steven got in a tangle when the keeper gave his centre half a short bye kick the defender was short with his back pass and Sutherland very nearly latched on to it but the keeper managed to block the effort with Harrold completing he clearance. Steven however redeemed himself on the half hour mark, Murray took a freekick from fully 30 yards it ricocheted off the bottom of the wall and sat up nicely for the centre half to plant a header firmly passed the exposed McCulloch. United could have stretched that lead minutes later after Darryn Mackay did brilliantly down the left turning Murray inside out before bursting to the byeline and fired the ball across goal and somehow everyone missed it. The home side did respond late in the half winning a series of freekicks but the nearest they came was a Ben Murray header that drifted wide.

Half time

Castletown 0-1 Pentland United

The second period was only minutes old when left back Lewis Harrold picked out James Murray with a splendid 30 yard pass but striker could only find the side net although half the crowd thought it had actually gone in. On the hour Castletown had their best effort of the second period a deep Gavin Henderson freekick was not defended well and Florence was only inches away from the top corner with a well executed volley from the penalty spot. The home side were probably enjoying the territorial advantage but finding clear cut opportunities hard to come by, James Harris managed to get ahead of Macleod to win a header from another Henderson set-piece but it was a difficult chance. United although perhaps on the back foot were looking more dangerous on the break and after 68 mins Derek Manson had he taken a better touch would have given himself a clear sight of goal after Mackay’s cross was half cleared to the edge of the area. Florence although more renowned for his defending was actually proving as good an attacking outlet as Castletown had and he warmed Gray’s gloves with just under the 15 min mark left. Home keeper McCulloch then excelled himself with a super block from James Murray after the striker managed wriggle away from Macleod. Castletown survived huge claims on for a pen on 80 mins when Macleod clumsily challenged Murray going into the area after again the striker had shown superb upper body strength to turn the defender but referee Elder saw it differently from the United camp. As time ticked away and Castletown tried to commit more men forward Murray really should have sealed the game clean again he found McCulloch standing tall on the penalty spot but as the striker raced to flick home the rebound Macdonald made a wonderful block on the goal line to keep his side in the game. Right on the final whistle substitute Ross Allan showed brilliant feet to turn away from Macdonald 40 yards from goal and race clear but his powerful drive was a little too straight and McCulloch again repelled the opportunity.

Full time

Castletown 0-1 Pentland United

1. M Gray 2. G Macleod 3. L Harrold 4. G Steven 5. B Macintosh 6. D Mackay 7. L Sutherland 8. J Mackenzie (c) 9. T Farquhar (R Allan 75) 10. J Murray 11. D Manson

Subs Not Used

G MackayJ Sutherland

View from the goal

Well a pretty dour affair on the whole I have to say but we showed good battling qualities and excellent counter attacking options throughout. Little disappointed with the amount of fouls we conceded on the whole and that could have cost us but generally very pleased to make our first cup final of the season and that allows us to concentrate on the remaining league games starting with another stern test on Wednesday against Castletown at Ham Park.