Three Points!

After five games in the C.I.S. cup Ballymena gave one of their most inept performances in the first game in their quest for the Gibson cup. The first half was so boring that the only incident to lighten the gloom was the ‘hilarious’ performance of the United ball boys, who continue to amuse the fans with their antics. If, as is rumoured, these boys are taught their ‘skills’ (I use the word ‘skills’ in its loosest form here), by the United youth coaching staff, I fear for the future of our wee club. But I digress, maybe United had some excuse as they were trying out a new attacking formation on Saturday. With Vice-captain Rory Hamill still missing with a thigh injury, the home team were also without, Stuart King and Dominic Melly. That meant using Kevin Kelbie and Johnny Steele up front, with Sweeney wide on the right and young Craig McClean wide on the left. Referee Weatherall, after allowing the Larne players to kick ‘lumps’ out of the home team, cautioned their number six for a heavy foul and then as if to even things up cautioned Simms of United for a similar offence, but the difference was, it was his first foul of the game. I can’t remember Larne keeper Spackman having to make one save worthy of the name during an insipid first half and the home team didn’t even force a corner until the 41st minute. Larne were the more dominant team in that first period and the United defence were kept under constant pressure throughout the half, although in all fairness the visitors never looked like scoring and their best effort was a shot from distance which gave McFrederick in the United goal no trouble at all.

The second half was at least a wee bit better and five minutes after the restart United scored the decisive goal, in a somewhat fortuitous manner. Vinny Sweeney for once managed to put in a good cross which bounced off Kelbie and despite a miskick, Steele connected at the second attempt. Even this wasn’t a clean shot and the ball ‘skidded’ along the goal-line and despite Spackman’s frantic efforts, rolled into the Larne net. As so often happens in these circumstances Larne almost ‘bounced’ back immediately, when last year’s top scorer Mark Dickson, saw his thunderous shot brilliantly deflected onto the post by United keeper Willie McFrederick. For the next ten minutes United carved out a couple of good openings, but failed to trouble the Larne keeper. Firstly Sweeney came bursting through the middle, but lifted his shot from the edge of the box well over the Larne crossbar. Then McClean shot tamely into the side netting, when surely a cross was the better option. Then it was Simms turn to miss when he failed to make contact with Johnny Steele’s inswinging corner. Larne were under the cosh at this stage, but as is usual United couldn’t deliver the killer blow. After some good work by Steele and United veteran Boydie, the latter’s cross was headed ‘tamely’ into the keeper’s arms by Sweeney. With fifteen minutes remaining manager Wright took off Kelbie, bringing on McDowell in his place. I was surprised at this move as I thought Kevin was playing okay and holding the ball up for his forwards, but manager Wright obviously thought different. McDowell who keeps knocking the goals in for the reserves has yet to find his scoring touch in the senior side and for my money seems to lie a bit too deep, never up with the play. But he is a good passer and delivered a beautiful cross to Sweeney with five minutes remaining. Unfortunately no United forward seemed interested in getting to Sweeney’s cross and yet another chance went begging. United then had a let off when Gary Smyth and company went to sleep once more and a Larne player, completely and utterly unmarked in our six-yard box, headed over the bar when it looked easier to score. As United tried to play out time we had one of those bizarre incidents which seem to prove the point that footballers are utterly without brains. United substitute McDowell took the ball towards the corner flag, but lost possession with the ball being adjudged to have crossed the touchline for a Larne throw. McDowell then foolishly kicked the ball away, earning himself a booking in the process, an utterly needless caution. United duly held out for a win and three points and the less said about the manner of their achievement the better.

McFrederick          8     Sweeney           7          MoM:     Steele

Donaghy          8     Aiden Watson       7

Boydie           7     Steele                8

Haveron          7     Kelbie                7     Referee:     S. Weatherall          4

Simms               6     McClean           6

Smyth                7     1st Sub: McDowell 6