United returned to league action at Ham Park versus a Swifts side yet to win but looking to kick on from a fine Eann Macintosh cup win v Wick Thistle the previous week. The early signs were good from United a brisk tempo and good possession play allowing Nichol a run in on Asa Sinclair within 3 minutes but the striker seemed to stumble after rounding the keeper and his finish only found the side netting. Ryan Begg had the next opportunity after a well worked move saw the midfielder break the defensive line but instead of drawing Sinclair he elected to shoot from 16 yards and the keeper smothered the ball well diving to his left on the 6 yard line. Slowly though the spring in the United display was replaced by a lethargy and a lack of imagination as the Swifts rode out the initial storm. Just after the 15 min mark Gary Mackay uncharacteristically tried an ambitious switch only succeeding in picking out Johnny Mackay who swivelled and drove in a low shot that Gray smothered low to his right but Swifts showed they were not there just to make up the numbers. Asa Sinclair has been in fine form since returning to County football and he showed great awareness after 20 mins when Ross Allan burst in from the right firing the ball in low at the keeper’s near post but it was suitably repelled for a corner. However the opening goal was only momentarily delayed as from Darryn Mackay’s flagkick a scramble ensued in the area with the ball bouncing out to Petrie who volleyed in from 8 yards to give United a perhaps undeserved lead. The slackness in the United play was again highlighted when Gary Mackay gave away a sloppy freekick on the left edge of the area and Steven Morris the former United man fired in a powerful shot that deflected off the wall and had Gray scrambling to tip over the bar. Sinclair again thwarted United just before the half hour as Mark Nichol spun in the area and fired in a low shot but razor like reactions meant United’s top scorer would not add to his seasons total in the first half. Just before the break United did however double their advantage when Darryn Mackay became the second United player of the season to score direct from a corner when from the left side he whipped in a ball that thumped into the far stanchion amid claims from Sinclair that he had been impeded.
Half time
Pentland United 2-0 Swifts
It was clear from faces and body language of the United camp that the first half performance was not what they had been looking for in anyway shape or form so changes were inevitable. Certainly the energy and drive that had not been so visible returned in the opening stages Ross Allan shaking off Robertson to burst into the box this time from the left but again Sinclair stood up well. United banged on the door almost continually during the opening ten minutes of the half until Nichol’s scooped effort was deflected over Sinclair by the unfortunate Riddell to make it 3-0. To their credit however Swifts remained in the game and came within a Russian linesman of pulling one back just a few mins after the goal when Morris latched on a Michael Steven header showing tremendous technique that rattled off the underside of the bar and Gray gathered as the ball bounced out. The game was still in the balance and Swifts were showing a good attitude but things started to go downhill mid-way through the half when Mark Nichol was set up by Darryn Mackay drawing Sinclair and passing the ball left footed into the net. Swifts rallied briefly and struck the wood work again when Darren Malcolm broke down the right and cut inside letting fly with a super effort that again had Gray’s bar rattling. However that was to be their final real effort of note as United started to crank up the heat and Sinclair was fully extended to deny Allan and Nichol in quick succession before Nichol pounced again this time Harrold fed the ball into the striker 8 yards out at the angle even with Riddell in close attendance the striker managed to produce a wonderful turn and finish before any of the visitors defence had time to react. Jamie Mackenzie for all his creative efforts this season has yet to trouble the scorers and he was left wondering what more he could after Nichol waltzed to the bye line and stood up a cross to the far post where the big number 8 unleashed a powerful volley that Sinclair somehow turned over for a corner. Mackenzie did finally get on the score sheet with just under 20 mins left and this time Allan was the architect another sizzling run down the left two defenders lying in his wake saw him burst along the bye line and fire across goal there were loud appeals for a penalty before the ball bounced up and Mackenzie nodded it over Sinclair as the keeper desperately tried to get a hand to the loose ball. Garry Macleod had replaced the injured Ryan Begg just after half time making his first appearance since May 2nd when he strained ankle ligaments, he had a great chance to mark his return with 15 to go when he burst on to Jamie Mackenzie’s flick pass but Sinclair again produced an outstanding block at the expense of a corner. However it only delayed the scoreboard change was momentarily as Grant Steven opened his account diving on to Allan’s near post corner for number 7. The big centre back was not just satisfied with scoring he added an assist before too much longer when another corner has cleared to half way Derek Manson spotted Steven bounding down the right wing and played the ball ahead of him to sweep across goal and present Nichol with the simplest of tasks to complete his hat-trick. After 80 mins Jamie Mackenzie should have made it 9 when Nichol again found time and space down the right turned one way then another before squaring for Mackenzie right in front of the net, which seemed certain to end with a goal but this time it just went over. However with the game petering out United did make it 9 and again it was a really worked goal Garry Macleod picking up 30 yards from goal had runners left and right with Mackenzie and Nichol but elected for the deft flick through the middle for Petrie to run on to, round Sinclair and complete the scoring he had started.
Full time
Pentland United 9-0 Swifts
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. L Harrold (D Manson 72) 4. G Steven 5. D Mackay (L Sutherland 72) 6. M Steven (c) 7. R Begg (G Macleod 48) 8. J Mackenzie 9. M Nichol 10. R Allan 11. M Petrie
View from the goal
A game of two halves our first half performance was not what he had wanted or expected flat and lacking imagination just seemed to encourage our opponents. The second period however was much better and credit to the guys for taking on board what was said and adapting the performance. We now face a tough quarter final of the Eann Macintosh Cup v John O’Groats.