United travelled to Thurso for their first ever tie in the Colin Macleod memorial trophy a player who had always shown great commitment throughout his career however was taken far to young and the trophy is fitting tribute to his memory. United again struck early but not before Mark Nichol had blazed over a volley from 6 yards after good work from Watts on the left. The opener did come via the same source however this time Allan was the creator driving down the right before crossing to the near post where the centre forward spun on a six pence to fire low passed the diving Miller. As most people would have expected United were enjoying the lions share of possession but Top Joes were defending stoutly until 15 minutes in when again the were breached this time the late run of Petrie was picked out by Begg and as the keeper spread himself the midfielder deftly flicked the ball over him. Trialist Hamish Coghill had shown good energy in the opening period but rather took stage fright when presented with his first real chance after Nichol’s flick found him in the box but he rashly lashed the ball over the bar. United suffered a set back midway through the half when Ross Allan pulled up through illness and had to be replaced by James Murray. United made it 3-0 with 15 mins left in the half when Nichol turned provider picking the ball up on the left and whipped in a ball that saw Watts steer the ball away from the keeper with great skill. Coghill missed another good chance when Murray’s cut back was delightfully laid off by Nichol but his powerful drive although controlled it flew wide as everyone expected the ball to nestle into the net. The fourth and pick of the first half goals was a sweeping move involving Harrold and Begg linking up to release Watts down the left and he stood up a great cross to the far post for Nichol to angle a downward header between the keeper and his right hand post.
Half time
Top Joes 0-4 Pentland United
The second division side returned to the field with a renewed vigour and started asking a few more questions of United who although were knocking the ball about reasonably well they were finding things little more difficult in final third James Murray in particular who went clean through after 55 mins took the ball passed Miller but ended up with a very tight angle but still elected to shoot but the ball never looked like hitting the target. Minutes later the striker was presented wi a similar opportunity this time he allowed Miller to smother the ball after taking it to close to him. United finally went further ahead after 65 mins when yet again Murray burst through rounded Miller but allowed Nichol he simplest of opportunities to complete his hat-trick. The top scorer was then removed and replaced with Lee Sutherland for a well earned rest (in his opinion). It did not take long for United to make to go further ahead when Derek Manson’s cross into the box was firmly nodded downwards for his second of the game by Toby Watts. Iain Miller was actually having a very assured game in the home net comfortably grabbing anything that came near him although he very nearly scored an own goal that would have to go into the bizarre section when James Murray’s cut back was stabbed goalwards by Coghill and Lannon clearing off the line lashed the bal against his keeper but thankfully for them both the ball flew wide to safety. Murray finally got it right on a one on when Petrie picked out his run and he waltzed round Miller and tapped the ball into the unguarded net. At this stage Top Joes enjoyed their best phase of play and Graham Poke forced Gray into a decent save diving left to smother his freekick from 20 yards. Number 7 saw Ryan Begg open his account for the season peeling off the back of his marker Murray produced a fine switch of play into the area and Begg had the time and imagination to lob the ball over the stranded keeper. The scoring was all wrapped up in the dying minutes when Watts did well down the left and crossed to the far post where the inrushing Manson bulleted home a header to make it 9-0
Full time
Top Joes 0-9 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. D Manson (c) 3. L Harrold 4. G Steven 5. G Mackay 6. R Begg 7. M Petrie 8. R Allan (J Murray 25) 9. M Nichol (L Sutherland 60) 10. H Coghill 11. T Watts
View from the goal
Could have been better we played in fits and starts but struggled for consistency within the game. Scored nice goals but at times found ourselves forcing issues that just were not there. On to Castletown and a game against our local rivals they don’t come much tougher and your performance levels will need to be a long way better.