Lucky United!

The one thing which has eluded Ballymena United this season, was a League draw, but from the moment Newry had what looked like a perfectly good goal disallowed, for what I just don’t know, this game had draw written all over it. United manager Tommy Wright made two changes to his starting line-up, with Kevin Kelbie getting the nod up front with Paul McDowell dropping down to the subs bench and Captain Gary Smyth returning in central defence, at the expense of Gordon Simms, who didn’t even make the final fourteen. United looked sluggish from the start and were relieved to see a Willis shot shave the post for a goalkick, with McFrederick scrambling across his goals. Midway through the half a Newry corner was headed into his own net by United midfielder Gary Haveron. Referee Frankie Hiles immediately pointed to the centre circle awarding the goal, but an alert linesman attracted the referee’s attention and the goal was chalked off. I have to honestly say I think this was a miscarriage of justice and I could see no reason for this goal to be disallowed. United almost added insult to injury by taking the lead when a Kelbie shot ricocheted off the post, with former United keeper Goosey Robinson, well beaten. Newry continued to press the United rearguard, but with Albert Watson in top form they held firm. Gareth Scates was harshly booked when Gerry Flynn drove a free kick against the United man who was moving back the desired ten yards. Surely the rules demand that a referee warn a player before cautioning him for not retreating, but Frankie ignored this facet of the rules. Little was seen of Stuart King in the first half, but he almost gave United an undeserved halftime lead, when after leaving two defenders in his wake, his ferocious shot hit the side netting with Goosey scrambling across his goal-line.

United to their credit upped the pace a wee bit in the second half, but were unable to unlock the resolute Newry defence. Despite forcing several corners, they couldn’t find the crucial breakthrough, something that has plagued them all season. Vinny Sweeney was guilty of not forcing the keeper to make a save, when his left wing shot flashed past the keeper’s right post. From one United corner the ball was partially cleared and when it was returned Gary Smyth found himself wide on the right wing position. Gary cut in on goal but blasted his weak shot straight at Goosey, who saved easily. Surely the ball from Gary should’ve been hard and low, but then none of our forwards would’ve got on the end of it anyway. Gary Smyth seemed to tire as the match progressed and Albert Watson, saved Gary’s blushes with a couple of good tackles. Newry had a player stretchered off midway through the half, for what appeared to be a knee injury, but it didn’t look too serious as it wasn’t strapped up. With 15 minutes remaining Gareth Scates was replaced by Dominic Melly, but as far as I could see this had little or no impact. Then ten minutes from time, in a last ditch attempt, the United manager brought on Paul McDowell for the out of sorts Vinny Sweeney, but apart from one weak shot, he made little or no impact. Referee Hiles cautioned Aiden Watson for an innocuous foul, yet another harsh decision from the Coleraine whistler. Despite the efforts of both sets of players the match petered out to a no-score draw and United slipped back to fifth place and it was about all they deserved to put it mildly. They’ll need a big improvement for next week when Kilmore Rec are the visitors for the first proper round of the Irish cup, if not they may be facing more embarrassment and that would never do, now would it?

McFrederick          7          Aiden Watson          7     MoM:  Albert Watson

Donaghy          7          Sweeney          6     

McClean          7          Kelbie               6

Haveron          6          King               5     Referee:     F. Hiles      3

Albert Watson          8          1st Sub: Melly          5

Smyth               7          2nd Sub: McDowell     5

Scates               5