After a desperately disappointing week prior to this game United needed a positive
result to try and keep up with pacesetters and current league champions Wick
Groats. United welcomed back Ryan Begg after a few weeks laid off with an ankle
injury unfortunately for the young midfielder after another bright start he
would succumb to a recurrence of the injury. Begg would in fact be the bright
spark behind a number of United’s early initiatives, the first after 8 mins when
Nichol brilliantly turned Tait in the left back area before swinging in a cross
to the far post but it was slightly behind the midfield man who could only loop
his header over. He came closer a few minutes later linking with Murray and Mackenzie stepping inside Green before shooting left footed but the ball just never bent enough to find the corner of the net. United continued to dominate and came
closer still after 15 mins when Gary Mackay stole a march on his marker to
clatter a header off the bar from 8 yards. But the pressure was building and it
finally told after 22 mins Lewis Harrold did brilliantly to break from defence
and win a freekick on halfway he took responsibility himself to deliver the
set-piece and found the head of Jamie Mackenzie who topped the ball on for
James Murray to unleash an unstoppable volley from 12 yards into the roof of
the net. As mentioned earlier Ryan Begg was to suffer a recurrence of his ankle
injury after bursting on to a Nichol pass he came to a shuddering halt under
the challenge of Tait. It should have been 2-0 just shy of the half hour mark a
fine sweeping move down the left saw Ross Allan cut in and square to Nichol who
fed Murray but from point blank range Henderson pulled off a stunning save but
even then the rebound should have been knocked in by Lee Sutherland but his sclaffed,effort only picked out Ross on the line. Groats are renowned for their fighting spirit and as the half wore on they did suddenly start to get a foothold in the
match and Gray caused a little alarm failing to collect a high Sinclair ball into the box at the first time of asking and then minutes later Stuart Sinclair snr had a down ward header at the far post wide but he would have been better knocking the ball across goal. United though stepped it up again finishing the half the stronger and a great break from Mackenzie from midfield saw options start to open on both sides but ended with the big midfielder shooting left footed from distance high over the bar.
Half-time
Pentland United 1-0 JoG
The second period burst into life in the most spectacular fashion when Ross Allan robbed Martin Sinclair on the left and burst away however the move seemed destined to peter out as Groats crowded out Nichol who decided to play the ball back for Grant Steven 35 yards from gaol the centre back strolled forward looking for options but when it was apparent none were coming decided to take matters into his own hands and let go with a quite stunning shot the flew into the keeper Henderson’s top right corner. Groats were toiling at this time and yet again United spurned a glorious chance to go further ahead when Nichol robbed Sinclair then laid the ball back to Mackenzie who strode forward before placing the ball ahead of striker who took the shot on early left footed but it never looked likely to bother Henderson as it flew over the perimeter fence. However the United performance started to dip after this point unfortunately whether through a lack of desire or energy, moves breaking down with alarming regularity under little or no pressure and the pressing game disappeared allowing Groats all the encouragement they required. What was to be Groats eventual source of joy started the alarm bells ringing a long ball from Richardson into the area with Stuart Sinclair nodding into the danger area where keeper Gray improvised utilising his hand ball skills to flick the ball away from Brims as the striker prepared to control the ball. But Groats continued to knock at the door and with 15 mins left really should have pulled one back when Grant Budge found all the time and space in the world to take aim at Gray but with his left foot from 12 yards he fired high and wide completely uncharacteristically. But eventually the visitors got a reward for their persistence when Liam Brims pulled one back it all began with Lewis Harrold being hauled back by referee Elder for a challenge on Martin Sinclair 40 yards from goal, Traill took the freekick picked out the head of Stuart Sinclair snr who nodded across goal picking out Brims who nodded passed Gray. United needed a response to see out the game and they finally killed the game when Gary Macleod picked out Derek Manson in front of goal, Henderson again excelled himself blocking from point blank range but in the melee to clear the loose ball it ended up in the net.
Full time
Pentland United 3-1 JoG
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. L Harrold 4. G Steven 5. B Macintosh 6. L
Sutherland 7. R Begg (G Macleod 24) 8. J Mackenzie 9. M Nichol (J Mckechnie 83) 10. R Allan 11. J Murray (D Manson 72)
Sub not used
D Mackay
View from the goal
Super first 50 mins playing good high tempo, high pressing but yet again it we fell away quite dramatically and continue to be a massive source of frustration. However it is 3 points against a very stuffy Groats side who never know when they are beaten. Back to Highland Cup duty and the task does not get much tougher than a trip to Avoch. A much improved performance required to make further progress.