United had failed to win a league game in Castletown since a 4-2 victory back in 2006 but they managed to rectify that situation against a home side that had to play three quarters of the game with ten men after Greg Macleod was sent off for a last man challenge on Mark Nichol. United opened brilliantly with a quite superb goal Darryn Mackay and Nichol linked before laying the ball back to Ryan Begg who sent a delightful ball ahead of James Murray who raced towards the goal and fired a vicious shot from 20 yards across the diving Kirk into the keepers bottom right corner. Castletown then came into the game as United seemed to take their foot off the gas and the home side pushed on, Chris Sutherland did well down the right before swinging in a far post cross for Macdonald to attempt a spectacular volley that drifted over to Nicholson but his effort failed to trouble Gray. Kirk has been in good form for Castletown this season and he was showing some assured handling in the early exchanges none more so than after 15 minutes cutting out a dangerous low centre from Nichol as Murray awaited any slip. Castletown always a have a physical aspect to their game but that side of their game gave Nichol a chance on 20 mins when Ryan Begg was bowled over by Shearer on the edge of the area but the strikers freekick left a lot to be desired as it flew over without really troubling the keeper. The game however changed minutes later when Grant Steven picked out James Murray and the striker sent a delightful ball over Macleod for Nichol to race clear only to be bundled over by the centre back on the edge of the area as he prepared to shoot, referee Makhouli awarded the freekick and it was fairly obvious the next step that had to be taken as the Macleodwas ordered from the field. Nichol dusted himself down and took the resultant freekick but Kirk again showed excellent hands diving low to his right to hold on to the effort. United were forced into a substitution within minutes of the upheaval as Harrold seemed to strain a hamstring and was replaced by Allan. The substitute made an immediate working a delightful one-two with Murray before sending in a wicked cross with his weaker right foot for that man Nichol to tuck the ball passed the diving Kirk. At this point United took complete control as they sensed blood the prompting from Begg, Mackenzie and Sutherland really was putting tremendous pressure on Castletown who were creaking and they buckled again after 35 mins when Darryn Mackay linked with Jamie Mackenzie to release Nichol down the left and he swept in a quite brilliant cross that Murray again took first time showing wonderful technique sliding the ball across the helpless keeper. Castletown really were toiling to stem the flow of traffic and only alert goalkeeping from Kirk saw him nip the ball away from Darryn Mackay who had drifted into the box unaccompanied but his final touch was just a little too heavy. The keeper was alert again 5 mins before the break when James Murray picked the ball up from Ross Allan in the area and showed great feet to step away from Macgill and Shearer only to be denied his hat-trick by Kirk who nipped the ball away from the striker’s toes. However the pressure told again right on half time when Murray released Nichol down the right channel the striker cut in and from the narrowest of angle drove the ball in at the near post for his second of the night.
Half time
Castletown 0-4 Pentland United
It was always going to be a big ask for United to maintain the level of performance from the period just before the break when they really were dominating their opponents. This coupled with a renewed vigour from the hosts meant although United enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territory they would only go on to add to their total once more. The signs were good when early on a nice move down the right saw Allan find Murray who swept in a fine ball to the near post where Mackenzie rose highest but unfortunately for the big midfielder his header was just off target. Castletown then suffered another blow when substitute Harris seemed to buckle under the attention of Grant Steven and had to be replaced by Baikie. United suffered a lull for about 15 mins when they seemed to be able to manoeuvre the ball into the final 3rd without too much resistance but were unable to find anything resembling a killer ball this must have frustrated Grant Steven as he set off on a Bougherra-esque run from right back and did really well but his cross brought out an interception from Cook that beat Kirk but Shearer was able to spare his team mates blushes on the goal line. Substitute Toby Watts fresh from his double on Saturday was keen to make a further impression on the travelling support he linked well down the right with James Murray and burst into the box but just as it seemed the chance would open up Macdonald stepped in to dispossess the wideman. As mentioned earlier Kirk has been having a decent season and he showed god reactions to make too decent stops in quick succession as the game went into the final quarter. Firstly he got down to his right to smother a Nichol effort from an Allan cut back. Then shortly after from the same source Lee Sutherland span and diverted the ball to the left of the keeper but he again got down to hold on to the ball although the lack of power in the effort certainly aided his cause. However Castletown were competing manfully against the numerical disadvantage and came within the width of the post from reducing the deficit Chris Sutherland’s corner bounced up at the near post and the midfielder associated with spectacular goals but usually from distance this time acrobatically tried to divert goalwards but it struck the outside of Gray’s right hand post with the keeper beaten. This was a wake up call and suddenly Ross Allan sprung to life with a lovely little give and go 40 yards from goal with James Murray and latched on to the through ball but his run into the heart of the area was brought to a shuddering halt by Shearer and referee Makhouli pointed to the spot. The striker brushed himself down to take the spot kick but in keeping with recent efforts his spot kick clipped the bar and flew over to give United a 100% failure record so far this season. Allan must have decided to try and redeem himself as with the final real opportunity of the game wrapped up the scoring, in similar fashion to the penalty he again drove into midfield and fed Murray who beautifully cushioned the ball back into his path this time the acceleration saw him race clear of the defence and slide the ball low to the right of the advancing Kirk.
Full time
Castletown 0-5 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay (D Manson 68) 3. L Harrold (R Allan 25) 4. G Steven 5. M Steven (c) 6. R Begg 7. L Sutherland 8. J Mackenzie 9. M Nichol 10. J Murray 11. D Mackay (T Watts 65)
View from the goal
Certainly would have taken the result before the game and some of the play in the 15-20 mins before half time was excellent. However I think at times we were sloppy and guilty of trying to force issues where there was none so we must learn from that. Scoring the second so quickly after the sending off was a huge blow to Castletown who will be thoroughly frustrated that given the talent at their disposal they are not performing better in the league. Now on to Friday night in Wick v Staxigoe and another very tough assignment.