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Macgregor hits four as Pentland United ease past Staxigoe in Eain Mackintosh Cup semi-final


By Alan Hendry

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Pentland United striker Marc Macgregor on the ball during the Eain Mackintosh Cup semi-final against Staxigoe United.
Pentland United striker Marc Macgregor on the ball during the Eain Mackintosh Cup semi-final against Staxigoe United.

A display of deadly finishing by Marc Macgregor ensured Pentland United's Eain Mackintosh Cup semi-final against Staxigoe United was effectively over as a contest by half-time.

The 27-year-old former Wick Academy striker helped himself to four goals at the Upper Bignold on Saturday as the Stabbies progressed to the final against Wick Groats.

There was little between the sides until Macgregor opened the scoring after 21 minutes. Chrissy Green headed in an equaliser seven minutes later but Macgregor struck again on 35 and 39 minutes before adding his fourth on the stroke of half-time.

The pace of the game dropped in the second half and there was no further scoring.

Staxigoe United's Ross Davidson is closed down by Pentland United pair Luke Manson (left) and Andy Mackay.
Staxigoe United's Ross Davidson is closed down by Pentland United pair Luke Manson (left) and Andy Mackay.

Pentland United co-manager Ross Sutherland said: "Marc took his first goal well and it gave him a little bit of confidence.

"There was a bit of a miscommunication between the centre-back and the keeper for their equaliser, but they were well worthy of it at the time. They were up for it, they pressed us high.

"But with Marc today you could see the stature of the guy. He'll run most defences ragged. Some days it comes off on his finishing and some days it doesn't, but today he took his chances well.

"He still had another couple that he's probably kicking himself that he never took in the first half, but we're really happy with that against a strong Staxigoe team.

"We were down a little bit on numbers but that's what the squad is for, really.

"Martin Banks [of Staxigoe United] said to me at half-time, 'Do you want to give Marc a rest for the second half?' They couldn't live with him.

"I'm happy for him, because some chances have fallen to him and he hasn't taken them and he beats himself up about it. But there is no need, because with his workrate he is always going to get chances coming to him."

Staxigoe's Chrissy Green (on ground) tackles Pentland United defender Allan Munro.
Staxigoe's Chrissy Green (on ground) tackles Pentland United defender Allan Munro.

Sutherland added: "We're happy to be in the final. Obviously it means a lot to ourselves as a club but more so for a few of our team."

Staxigoe United's Colin Davidson said: "For a 15-minute spell we lost our concentration.

"Marc Macgregor is a quality player and you can't give him that much time and space. He was just clinical – he could be playing Highland League quite easily.

"They seem to have a clinical edge that we've not quite got. Performance-wise it was probably a closer game than the scoreline suggests."

Chrissy Green (left) takes the acclaim after his head-flick briefly brought Staxigoe United level in the first half.
Chrissy Green (left) takes the acclaim after his head-flick briefly brought Staxigoe United level in the first half.
Pentland United defender James McLean gets his head to a high ball.
Pentland United defender James McLean gets his head to a high ball.
Pentland United's Marc Macgregor controls the ball on his chest against Staxigoe United.
Pentland United's Marc Macgregor controls the ball on his chest against Staxigoe United.
Chrissy Green gets to the ball ahead of Pentland United's Allan Munro.
Chrissy Green gets to the ball ahead of Pentland United's Allan Munro.
Staxigoe United's Bryan Reid weighs up his options during the Eain Mackintosh Cup semi-final against Pentland United on Saturday.
Staxigoe United's Bryan Reid weighs up his options during the Eain Mackintosh Cup semi-final against Pentland United on Saturday.
Bryan Reid (left) of Staxigoe United loses out to Pentland United's Luke Manson.
Bryan Reid (left) of Staxigoe United loses out to Pentland United's Luke Manson.
A pitch invasion by a small dog held up play for a brief spell at Wick's Upper Bignold Park.
A pitch invasion by a small dog held up play for a brief spell at Wick's Upper Bignold Park.

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