The penultimate week of the 2011 season arrived with United knowing it has to be 6 points to take the league to the last game of the season, two visits to Thurso were the task that lay ahead of United and a comprehensive victory over Swifts has left United now looking to overcome the Acks on Thursday night to provide that final night show down with champions and long time league leaders Wick Groats. The victory itself was built upon some slick passing movement and a menacing attacking line up, which Swifts struggled to contain throughout. United should have taken the lead after 3 mins, Ross Allan showed great willingness and strength to nick the ball off Robertson on the right touch line and he waltzed into the box before setting up Jamie Mackenzie who took a touch before side footing his shot passed Sinclair, which looked a winner all the way until it struck the post and rolled across the goal. United continued to press on though and just minutes later Swifts had Sinclair to thank for an outstanding point blank save after great work from Darryn Mackay down the right saw him square for Allan who struck it first time from 8 yards but the keeper showed razor reactions to knock the ball on to the post. The run of misfortune in front of goal continued on 12 mins when again good link up play saw Darryn Mackay again race free down the right before crossing for Jamie Mackenzie but his volley flew over. Just as perhaps some anxiety was becoming apparent the deadlock was broken and it was simplicity itself a Gray bye kick was brilliantly cushioned into the patch of Ross Allan by the head of Jamie Mackenzie and the striker ran through before bending a shot around the advancing Sinclair. The scorer then turned provider as one became two when the striker showed wonderful feet to step away from Robertson before knocking the ball passed Riddell who promptly dumped him on the ground. Michael Petrie assumed the responsibility and just about managed to squeeze the ball under the unfortunate Sinclair. United were rampant now and the home goal had another amazing escape when Garry Macleod made a brilliant run to the bye line and cut the ball back for Jamie Mackenzie who in turn fed Derek Manson but from 6 yards he knocked it passed the post with Sinclair again hopelessly exposed. Jamie Mackenzie had shown great link up play but unfortunately his touch in front of goal had deserted him in the early stages after 29 mins he again was picked out by a wonderful cross on the run from Macleod on the right but again his header failed to find the target. The third goal did finally come after 33 mins when yet another sweeping move saw Ross Allan 35 yards from dink a delightful ball through for Darryn Mackay on the angle he swept the ball in on the volley despite Sinclair getting a hand to the ball. I am not sure if it was complacency or Swifts stepping their game up but the home side started to gain a foot hold in the game and after some territorial advantage they pulled a goal back, Liam Mackay cut in passed a couple of feeble tackles and bent a ball into the area that United really should have dealt with but instead former United man Stevie Morris reacted first to stab home from 8 yards. This kick-started United again and they restored their 3 goal advantage with 5 mins left in the half again good work down the right saw Darryn Mackay make space and send in a delightful cross that just eluded Mackenzie, however Manson recovered at the far post and showed great composure to pick out Mackenzie to knock home from close range.
Half time
Swifts 1-4 Pentland United
The second period was only minutes old when the home side struck again, referee Elder penalised Harrold for a challenge on Morris on the edge of the area and Liam Mackay showed wonderful technique to bend the ball over the wall into the Gray’s right hand corner. This shook United but the response was swift and immediate again Darryn Mackay did a lot of the ground work linking with Macleod down the right before crossing in for Mackenzie on the penalty spot the big striker showed great technique to turn Forbes and rifle the ball low into Sinclair’s corner. After that United started to ring the changes with firstly James Murray entering the fray and what an impact on the park for 5 mins and he notched his first goal Ross Allan fed him on the edge of the 6 yard box and he showed great strength to turn Robertson and rifle the ball home. Swifts were now reeling and although trying to attack they continued to be rather open at the back with United ready to capitalise on every opportunity. Murray’s fellow substitute Nichol was heavily involved in the next goal Mackenzie mopped a loose ball and fed Nichol on the right hand side and he wasted no time in switching the ball brilliantly into the path of Murray who raced clear and waltzed round Sinclair before tapping into the empty net. As mentioned earlier Swifts were always looking to attack and create openings but letting themselves down at times with poor distribution and retention of the ball at crucial stages. Morris however was mightily close to doubling his tally when he rose highest to plant a Darren Malcolm freekick against the balance of Gray but at a good height for the keeper to push away. Nichol was also heavily involved in goal number eight when a loose ball was picked up by the final substitute Coghill mid-way inside his own half and feed Nichol on half way who looped a ball over Riddell for Murray to race clear and lob the ball over the advancing Sinclair. Minutes later Nichol was inches away from further extending the lead picking up a loose clearance from Sinclair 40 yards from goal he attempted to catch the retreating keeper out with a powerful drive that scraped the outside of the keeper’s right hand post. The final goal game again via the penalty spot and it was again down to the brilliant wing play of Ross Allan breaking down the left squaring up Inrig and drifting passed the midfielder who promptly swiped the legs from underneath him and referee Elder again was left with no choice. This time Nichol picked up the ball and made an immaculate job sweeping the ball low to Sinclair’s right. The final chance of the game fell to Coghill when Nichol broke down the left and swept the ball in front of his fellow sub who rather choked at the crucial stage under pressure from Riddell.
Full time
Swifts 2-9 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. G Macleod 3. L Harrold 4. G Mackay 5. B Macintosh 6. D Manson (J Murray 63) 7. L Sutherland (M Nichol 68) 8. J Mackenzie(c) (H Coghill 78) 9. M Petrie 10. D Mackay 11. R Allan
Subs Not Used
G Steven
View from the goal
A super attacking display although I admit questioning after some of our early misses was it going to be our night. The defensive display maybe not have been quite as good but still 3 points secured and now till the Acks another side with every incentive to get a result and they have been turning in some good performances recently and of course came up with a huge win on Monday so it will be very tight I am sure.