United entered their final home league game of the season again knowing nothing less than 3 points would suffice whilst their neighbours knew any form of result would remove any lingering doubts over becoming involved in the relegation issue. Although both sides were depleted it was the visitors who made the more positive start with United showing a nervousness that had not been apparent for some weeks whereas Castletown seemed to be playing with a renewed vigour and unity possibly provided by the absentees from their side. It was completely against the run of play that United broke the deadlock after 12 mins Ross Allan picked out the run of Nichol down the left and he twisted away from Murray before delivering the perfect cross into the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ between the keeper and defence, Darryn Mackay slid in and made some contact but the ball appeared to come off the retreating Scot Manson prior to crossing the line. This however failed to kick start the United performance as an inability to retain possession coupled with when breaking a failure to pick out team mates meant Castletown were enduring very little in the way of concerted pressure and making far better inroads towards the home goal. After 25 mins keeper Gray did not exactly endear himself to his own fans coming for a deep Manson freekick and failing to deal with it although the retreating Macintosh bailed his keeper out by knocking behind for a corner. Manson was in fact Castletown’s main threat from set pieces and on the half hour mark he lashed a long distance set piece into the retaining fence behind the wall. Minutes later his namesake Derek fluffed his lines literally as great play from Murray saw him get to the bye line and cut the ball across goal and a good connection would surely have doubled the lead but ball came off the wide man’s back foot and the chance was lost. It was symptomatic of United’s problems they would get into good positions but pick the wrong option consistently allowing Castletown the chance to retreat in numbers and to be fair they were defending assuredly that was until 38 mins when Ross Allan picked up the ball on the right and looped a super through ball for Murray to race in goal just as he reached the penalty spot both Shearer and Macleod crunched into the centre forward giving referee Munro no option but to point to the spot. Captain for the night Nichol assumed the responsibility to send McCulloch the wrong way and extend the home lead. Still there was a lacklustre feel about the home side for one reason or another and Macintosh conceded a freekick in dangerous territory just outside the left side of the United 18 yard box again Manson stepped up and this time his bending effort just missed the top corner or Gray’s left hand post. The final chance of the half again came via the foot of Manson who picked out the late run of his skipper Macdonald who ghosted into the back post but his header across goal was gratefully clutched by Gray.
Half time
Pentland United 2-0 Castletown
After the interval he flow of the game changed dramatically as United took the game in a firm stranglehold allowing their opponents little or no possession of quality and only rare forays into their territory. However although United were holding the lions share or territory and possession again clear cut chances were at a premium. Darryn Mackay incurred the wrath of the visiting support when he challenged keeper McCulloch for a ball the keeper took two attempts to gather ten minutes after the re-start. The crucial third goal came after 63 mins a sweeping move out from the back with Garry Macleod picking out James Murray he swept the ball down the line to Nichol who sent a beautiful cross to the far post where Derek Manson drilled home a header from 6 inches of the ground and almost collided with the post at the same time but no pain no gain is the saying. The third goal had really settled United and their support on the sidelines whilst the body language from the Castletown side seemed to suggest they to knew there was no way back from the situation given their lack of depth in the playing squad. Nichol as ever was keen to add to his goal tally and there was no doubting who would take the freekick after Makhouli was fouled 30 yards from goal, the striker brushed himself down and let fly with a dipping shot that McCulloch did very well to hold on especially with the United attackers bearing down on him. United put any lingering doubts to bed with a killer 4th goal with 11 mins left and it was simplicity it itself Garry Macleod heaved a long diagonal into the box McCulloch called for the ball but Ross Allan sensed the opportunity and nipped in to nod passed stranded keeper. On for the last ten another of heroes from generations passed ‘little’ John Sutherland entered the fray replacing Ross Allan who although with an assist and a goal to his name really did not have the best of evenings.
Full time
Pentland United 4-0 Castletown
1. M Gray 2. G Macleod 3. L Harrold (G Mackay 72) 4. G Steven (P Makhouli 62) 5. B Macintosh 6. D Manson 7. L Sutherland 8. D Mackay 9. M Nichol (c) 10. J Murray 11. R Allan (J Sutherland 82)
Subs Not Used
A Mackay
View from the goal
Disappointing start to the game and I think we can count ourselves fortunate to be 2 up at the beak but the second half was much more controlled and I think that meant we just about deserved our win. Three games to go and a tough week ahead as well taking on Swifts and Acks in 3 days, which will stretch the playing resources with suspensions and injuries hanging around at the moment.