PENTLAND United celebrated a record sixth victory in the MacLeod IFA Highland Amateur Cup at the weekend. The Dunnet-based team powered to a 3-0 win over neighbours Castletown in a weather-hit final before a crowd of well over 400 at Harmsworth Park, Wick.

Both stands were full packed as Pentland United faced a strong breeze, laced by regular heavy showers, playing up the slope.

Castletown enjoyed a decent start to the game, mainly due to having the advantage of the slope and weather conditions. Pentland United keeper Michael Gray was called on to make two decent stops, the first came in the 4th minute when he dived to stop a rasping drive from the edge of the box from Scott Manson. A few minutes later the keeper then pulled off a double stop from Gavin Henderson's shot and Martin Murray's follow-up.

In between those vital Gary saves, United had signalled their intent when Darryn Mackay's long-range chip looped over Castletown keeper Asa Sinclair and came back off the crossbar. The free-flowing opening continued on eight minutes when Martin Murray could have done better than send an unchallenged header straight at Gray.

The unseasonal weather made life tough for both sides but United looked solid at the back John Skinner keeping things well organised in front of the Pentland goal.

The opening goal came on 11 minutes after a slick, multi-pass build-up down both flanks. It ended with top scorer Tony Farquhar smartly turning the ball past Sinclair.

Farquhar Flicks the Ball in form close range for the opening goal, as Colin Munro tries in vain to block the ball. 

As the Half went on Castletown seemed to struggle with the conditions as perhaps the chanced the game a bit too hard in order to get back on level terms and as time went on it was Pentland who got the ball down and played some nice stuff, with Pentland United’s Grant Budge becoming increasingly influential with his trademark bustling runs and skilful link-ups.

After a dead 10 minutes in the way of goal action, Gray was again called into action on 35 minutes when Niall Murray set up his brother Martin for a decent strike which the keeper did well to keep out.

A minute from the interval, Budge failed to exploit a clear opening when he sent his shot straight at Sinclair, when a second goal at this stage would have certainly killed off any Castletown challenge.

Despite the competitive nature of the game with one or two meaty challenges, Inverness referee John Nicholson had the game flowing well and kept his notebook in his pocket until the 50th minute when United skipper Willie Inrig was booked for a late, lunging tackle.

Similar to the first half it was now Castletown who were forced by the conditions, to get the ball down and play on the deck and this meant they had a decent spell at the beginning of the second half. Castletwon’s Henderson had a good effort on goal, but his powerful drive zipped just wide on 52 minutes.

There was a more physical feel to the game, and this was exemplified a minute later when goal-scorer Farquhar was the second player to get booked for a late tackle.
It was somewhat against the run of play when United grabbed their second after 55 minutes. A pinball sequence in the goalmouth ended with Lee Sutherland gleefully stabbing the ball into the net from close range.

If that second goal wasn’t the final nail in Castletown’s coffin, the final nail was hammered in when in the 70th minute, Grant Budge cut in from the right and delivered a majestic left-foot strike which took a slight deflection on its way past Asa Sinclair in the Castletown goal.

As the game neared it’s end Castletown were resigned to defeat and the game became a bit tetchy which resulted in bookings for Castletown's Manson, Chris Sutherland and Henderson, with United's John Skinner also joining them in the book. Castletown were denied a late consolation when the tricky winger Chris Sutherland – who was shadowed all day by Darryn Mackay – drilled a shot just past.

As the final whistle blew Pentland United, who clinched their county league championship in Wick last week, began another evening of celebrations after Inrig led his men up to accept the trophy which was presented by Roddy MacLeod from MacLeod IFA.

Michael Gray's early heroics in the Pentland goal and solid handling throughout, in conditions that were treacherous for the keepers, were enough to see him chosen as man of the match and be presented with the Harry Windsor Memorial Cup.

Pentland United manager Duncan Gray was delighted to see United extend their record as the most successful side in the blue-riband tournament. Their earlier trophies came in 1987, 1993, 1998, 2000 and 2002.

Manager Gray said: "Michael's saves in the first half was very important. Our second goal also came at a crucial time. The conditions made it difficult for both sides but I was delighted with how we performed."

Within minutes of the final whistle, Pentland United were looking forward to completing a memorable season with victory in Saturday's David Allan Shield final versus John O'Groats, who they just pipped to the league title last week.

Castletown manager Ian MacDonald was desperately disappointed with the outcome. The result also meant he was unable to add to the record haul of eight winners' medals he won as a player for Thurso Pentland and ironically Pentland United. He said: "Their keeper kept them in it in the first half while the first two goals we lost were very sloppy. We probably didn’t get to grips with the weather conditions as well as Pentland did."
 
Highland AFA secretary Iain Whitehead believed both sides contributed to an entertaining final, despite the wet and windy weather. He said "Both teams tried to play football despite the conditions, which were pretty poor. Castletown had a good start but once United went ahead they took control and in the end they were worthy winners. I’d also like to thank Wick Academy FC for the use of their ground and generous hospitality, which meant once again our final, was played at a fitting venue which I’m sure both teams and supporters enjoyed.

Pentland United: Gray, G. Mackay, Thompson, John Skinner, Steven, James Skinner (Bell 85), G. Budge (J. Budge 87), Inrig, Sutherland, Farquhar (Murray 80), D. Mackay. Unused subs: MacKenzie and Manson.

Castletown: Sinclair, Florence, Manson, MacDonald, Munro, Henderson, MacLeod (Shearer 70), Sutherland, M. Murray (Mackay 80), N. Murray, A. Farquhar. Unused subs: MacGill, Calder and B. Murray.

Referee: J. Nicholson; Assistants: G. Elder, A. McDonald; 4th Official: G. MacMillan