Post by Brian Mackay on Jul 11, 2007 17:26:36 GMT
Skinner sets up third cup win in a row for United
Castletown 0, Pentland United 2
report by Iain Grant - iain-grant@ukf.net
Published: 11 July, 2007
THIS was by no means one of the more memorable finals in the 21-year history of the Eain Mackintosh Cup.
A steady downpour and a gathering wind blowing towards the riding centre end of Halkirk’s Recreation Park conspired to produce a less-than-riveting encounter.
The conditions failed to prevent United extending their fine record in the competition, this being their third victory in a row.
United took the lead from a James Skinner free kick after 38 minutes before Skinner crossed for Brian Gray to head in the second in first-half injury time.
Castletown lacked the spark which has made them favourites to dethrone United as County League first division champions.
Particularly in the second half, they had no shortage of possession and in Gavin Henderson they had one of the most creative players on the field. But they were a dead loss in front of goal, having to wait until the death throes of the game before seriously troubling United keeper Michael Gray.
The Dunnet outfit – who fielded three players based south of the Ord – won without having to play particularly well.
James Skinner quickly showed his worth from set-pieces, with his well-flighted third-minute free kick producing a header from Tony Farquhar which keeper Asa Sinclair was happy to tip over.
Playing with the breeze behind them, United continued to enjoy the early initiative with Sinclair again called into action to field Brian Gray’s long-range effort.
Derek Manson then dragged his shot wide when given a free go from the edge of the box in the aftermath of a corner.
Youngster Greg Macleod was first to fall foul of referee Bob Wheatcroft after 16 minutes for a foul on James Skinner. The free kick produced a half-chance for Lee Sutherland but the ball came to him too quickly and his side-foot effort slid wide of the target.
There was a dearth of out-and-out wingers on view, which meant both sides tended to launch attacks through the congested midfield.
United’s Scott Begg did display some tidy touchline routines and his dangerous sortie down the left after 21 minutes forced Stuart Florence to execute an emergency clearance on the six-yard line, with opponents fast bearing down on him.
There was controversy after 29 minutes when Brian Gray illegally checked Chris Sutherland’s run and then accidentally trod on the side of the prone youngster.
A foul was awarded and Sutherland resumed after lengthy treatment but Mr Wheatcroft irked the Castletown camp by not taking action against the United captain. In my view the referee got it right, though it would not have cost Gray anything to have gone over to check on his opponent’s condition.
Castletown were very much out-of-sorts, with Henderson and centre-midfield partner Alan Farquhar unable to discomfit United’s solid rearguard.
After 37 minutes, Tony Farquhar’s clever through ball had Martin Bain powering his way through the inside-right channel before he was outmuscled off the ball by Florence. Mr Wheatcroft was deaf to the chorus of penalty claims.
A minute later, United were ahead. After Begg was fouled 25 yards from goal, James Skinner’s powerful free kick seemed to take a slight deflection en route to going in off the flailing right arm of Sinclair.
The setback had a positive effect on Castletown, who within two minutes had conjured up their first opening of the day. Henderson picked out Sutherland’s unmatched run into the penalty box but the latter spurned the chance with a weak attempt which was easily gathered by Michael Gray.
In a lively ending to the half, Henderson tested United’s keeper with a 30-yard daisy-cutter before a sparky move at the other end resulted in
The Pentland United squad display the Eain Mackintosh Cup after beating Castletown in Saturday’s final at Recreation Park, Halkirk. J Macrae 07929 868227
Farquhar’s cushioned header falling fractionally too far in front of the inrushing Lee Sutherland.
There was a sting in the tail for Castletown, courtesy of another set-piece after Bain had been fouled. When James Skinner’s textbook inswinging delivery found the forehead of Brian Gray on the edge of the six-yard box, there was only going to be one outcome.
In the 20 minutes after the turnaround, Castletown showed more hunger for the fray and, more importantly, a greater threat in the final third.
Henderson had a couple of attempts on goal, while Greg MacLeod was just crowded out in the penalty box after he got on the end of a free kick.
On 52 minutes, Florence and Alan Farquhar exchanged passes before the latter’s cross just eluded Ewan Scott who would have been odds-on to score.
With the wind picking up and the rain persisting, the game lapsed into a formless stalemate for much of its remainder. United were happy to soak up whatever Castletown could throw at them while always looking capable of nicking another goal on the counter.
Mr Wheatcroft’s notebook came out again on 65 minutes to book Graham MacDonald for a foul on John Skinner and two minutes later to caution Tony Farquhar for a hack on Greg MacLeod.
After 80 minutes Castletown central defender Colin Munro added to the crime count with a booking for an ugly late tackle on Bain.
In a late flurry of corners from Castletown, they came the closest they had all afternoon to scoring when Alan Farquhar’s header was palmed to safety by Michael Gray.
The trophy was handed over to Brian Gray by Mary Mackintosh, mother of the late Eain, while Balintore-based James Skinner was chosen by Mr Wheatcroft to receive the man-of-the-match award donated in memory of his daughter Julie.
This was Castletown’s first defeat of the county season but, given their commanding league position, they may not have to wait long before ending their trophy famine.
United, meanwhile, demonstrated that they remain the team to beat for any side with designs on Caithness silverware.
Castletown: Sinclair, Shearer (Murray 82), Florence, Farquhar, Munro, Henderson, G. MacDonald, Sutherland (C. Macleod 70), G. MacLeod, Scott, MacGill (Morris 58). Substitutes not used: Calder, S. Macdonald.
Pentland United: M. Gray, Mackay, Manson, John Skinner, B. Gray, R. Sutherland, Begg, James Skinner, Farquhar (Budge 88), L. Sutherland, Bain. Substitutes not used: J. Sutherland, MacKenzie.
Referee: B. Wheatcroft.
Castletown 0, Pentland United 2
report by Iain Grant - iain-grant@ukf.net
Published: 11 July, 2007
THIS was by no means one of the more memorable finals in the 21-year history of the Eain Mackintosh Cup.
A steady downpour and a gathering wind blowing towards the riding centre end of Halkirk’s Recreation Park conspired to produce a less-than-riveting encounter.
The conditions failed to prevent United extending their fine record in the competition, this being their third victory in a row.
United took the lead from a James Skinner free kick after 38 minutes before Skinner crossed for Brian Gray to head in the second in first-half injury time.
Castletown lacked the spark which has made them favourites to dethrone United as County League first division champions.
Particularly in the second half, they had no shortage of possession and in Gavin Henderson they had one of the most creative players on the field. But they were a dead loss in front of goal, having to wait until the death throes of the game before seriously troubling United keeper Michael Gray.
The Dunnet outfit – who fielded three players based south of the Ord – won without having to play particularly well.
James Skinner quickly showed his worth from set-pieces, with his well-flighted third-minute free kick producing a header from Tony Farquhar which keeper Asa Sinclair was happy to tip over.
Playing with the breeze behind them, United continued to enjoy the early initiative with Sinclair again called into action to field Brian Gray’s long-range effort.
Derek Manson then dragged his shot wide when given a free go from the edge of the box in the aftermath of a corner.
Youngster Greg Macleod was first to fall foul of referee Bob Wheatcroft after 16 minutes for a foul on James Skinner. The free kick produced a half-chance for Lee Sutherland but the ball came to him too quickly and his side-foot effort slid wide of the target.
There was a dearth of out-and-out wingers on view, which meant both sides tended to launch attacks through the congested midfield.
United’s Scott Begg did display some tidy touchline routines and his dangerous sortie down the left after 21 minutes forced Stuart Florence to execute an emergency clearance on the six-yard line, with opponents fast bearing down on him.
There was controversy after 29 minutes when Brian Gray illegally checked Chris Sutherland’s run and then accidentally trod on the side of the prone youngster.
A foul was awarded and Sutherland resumed after lengthy treatment but Mr Wheatcroft irked the Castletown camp by not taking action against the United captain. In my view the referee got it right, though it would not have cost Gray anything to have gone over to check on his opponent’s condition.
Castletown were very much out-of-sorts, with Henderson and centre-midfield partner Alan Farquhar unable to discomfit United’s solid rearguard.
After 37 minutes, Tony Farquhar’s clever through ball had Martin Bain powering his way through the inside-right channel before he was outmuscled off the ball by Florence. Mr Wheatcroft was deaf to the chorus of penalty claims.
A minute later, United were ahead. After Begg was fouled 25 yards from goal, James Skinner’s powerful free kick seemed to take a slight deflection en route to going in off the flailing right arm of Sinclair.
The setback had a positive effect on Castletown, who within two minutes had conjured up their first opening of the day. Henderson picked out Sutherland’s unmatched run into the penalty box but the latter spurned the chance with a weak attempt which was easily gathered by Michael Gray.
In a lively ending to the half, Henderson tested United’s keeper with a 30-yard daisy-cutter before a sparky move at the other end resulted in
The Pentland United squad display the Eain Mackintosh Cup after beating Castletown in Saturday’s final at Recreation Park, Halkirk. J Macrae 07929 868227
Farquhar’s cushioned header falling fractionally too far in front of the inrushing Lee Sutherland.
There was a sting in the tail for Castletown, courtesy of another set-piece after Bain had been fouled. When James Skinner’s textbook inswinging delivery found the forehead of Brian Gray on the edge of the six-yard box, there was only going to be one outcome.
In the 20 minutes after the turnaround, Castletown showed more hunger for the fray and, more importantly, a greater threat in the final third.
Henderson had a couple of attempts on goal, while Greg MacLeod was just crowded out in the penalty box after he got on the end of a free kick.
On 52 minutes, Florence and Alan Farquhar exchanged passes before the latter’s cross just eluded Ewan Scott who would have been odds-on to score.
With the wind picking up and the rain persisting, the game lapsed into a formless stalemate for much of its remainder. United were happy to soak up whatever Castletown could throw at them while always looking capable of nicking another goal on the counter.
Mr Wheatcroft’s notebook came out again on 65 minutes to book Graham MacDonald for a foul on John Skinner and two minutes later to caution Tony Farquhar for a hack on Greg MacLeod.
After 80 minutes Castletown central defender Colin Munro added to the crime count with a booking for an ugly late tackle on Bain.
In a late flurry of corners from Castletown, they came the closest they had all afternoon to scoring when Alan Farquhar’s header was palmed to safety by Michael Gray.
The trophy was handed over to Brian Gray by Mary Mackintosh, mother of the late Eain, while Balintore-based James Skinner was chosen by Mr Wheatcroft to receive the man-of-the-match award donated in memory of his daughter Julie.
This was Castletown’s first defeat of the county season but, given their commanding league position, they may not have to wait long before ending their trophy famine.
United, meanwhile, demonstrated that they remain the team to beat for any side with designs on Caithness silverware.
Castletown: Sinclair, Shearer (Murray 82), Florence, Farquhar, Munro, Henderson, G. MacDonald, Sutherland (C. Macleod 70), G. MacLeod, Scott, MacGill (Morris 58). Substitutes not used: Calder, S. Macdonald.
Pentland United: M. Gray, Mackay, Manson, John Skinner, B. Gray, R. Sutherland, Begg, James Skinner, Farquhar (Budge 88), L. Sutherland, Bain. Substitutes not used: J. Sutherland, MacKenzie.
Referee: B. Wheatcroft.