Ragged Reds!

A classic this was not, a ‘battle’ it definitely was, the fact that two Larne players decided to ‘literally’ battle, only added to the controversy. Things got off to a bad start, United fans contrary to reports in one Ballymena local paper, were to be admitted to the ground via the riverside turnstiles. This was a case of organised confusion, with United fans, myself included arriving at the wrong entrance and receiving conflicting instructions as to how to get to their own ‘segregated’ terracing or grandstand. This ‘segregation’ was of course a complete shambles, as the only toilets were located close to the home fans entrance and necessitated United fans passing through ‘hostile areas’ in order to answer the call of nature. No doubt this confusion was a contributing factor in the kick-off being delayed by ten minutes, or was it just to get the Larne fans out of the bars? The match played on an even worse surface than Coleraine’s and that’s saying something, was never going to about anything but which team had the stomach to win. United were forced to make two changes from last Friday night’s starting eleven, with Aiden Watson coming in for Phil Charnock and Paul McDowell starting in place of Rory Hamill. With Gary Smyth still absent, Kieran Donaghy retained the Captain’s armband and Gordon Simms started against his hometown club. United started brightly and Stuart King had a shot blocked after 10 minutes when he picked up a pass from Vinny Sweeney. Paul McDowell showed his class with a neat turn and shot which Larne keeper Keegan, saved at the second attempt. That was in the 20th minute and five minutes later the game was turned on its head, when McDowell was wrestled to a standstill by central defender McDonagh, as he bore down on the Larne goal. Referee Steven Weatherall had no hesitation in flourishing the automatic red card and Larne were reduced to ten men. The resultant free kick was taken by Scatesy but his weak if well placed shot, was easily dealt with by the home keeper. Willie McFrederick distinguished himself with a good save during a rare Larne attack, blocking a goalbound effort with his knees. United kept probing at the home defence and King had yet another shot blocked after 35 minutes. United were thwarted by a combination of poor final passes, an efficient offside trap and some resolute Larne defending. United had won the toss and decided to play up the slope in the first half and to their credit they ran their socks off up the famous Inver Park slope. They got their just reward after 41 minutes when leading scorer Vinny Sweeney notched his eleventh goal of the season. Taking a pass from strike partner McDowell the big man burst into the penalty box, drew the Larne keeper and then swerved to his right before hammering the ball into the net, with his right foot. This was no more than United deserved but they had a lucky escape two minutes later when Simms miskicked, but luckily recovered before an opposing forward could take advantage.

Five minutes into the second half Sweeney burst through on goal, but was cleaned by a Larne defender, as clear cut a penalty as I’ve ever seen, but referee Weatherall astounded everybody by waving play on. Two minutes later Sweeney should’ve put the game beyond doubt, when he nipped between a defender and the goalkeeper, but somehow screwed his shot wide, when it looked easier to score. This was almost to prove a costly miss, as Larne stepped up the pace and began to take the game to United and our defence looked decidedly ‘jittery’ under pressure. Still it was hard to see where Larne were going to conjure up a goal from, but as usual ‘Lady luck’ played a big part in things. A Larne forward drove a shot straight at Craig McClean, hitting his arm in the process and referee Weatherall astounded United players and fans by pointing to the penalty spot. Craig McClean was beside himself with anger, but his arguments were in vain and the decision stood. Ace penalty taker Mark Dickson stroked the ball into the net, when McFrederick committed himself to diving to his left. Suddenly United were in a battle and things were not going for them and referee Weatherall seemed to give any 50/50 decisions to the home team. United fans were calling for a couple of changes as Stuarty King and McDowell didn’t seem to have anything left. United seemed reluctant to build any moves and kept thumping long hopeful balls into the Larne area, with no reward. With 15 minutes left the United manager made a double substitution bringing on Kevin Kelbie and Dominic Melly for McDowell and Scates. Still United couldn’t find the breakthrough, but then it came from an unlikely source. Craig McClean hoisted a hopeful ball into the goalmouth and the hesitant Larne defence failed to deal with it properly and as it came to Dominic Melly he hammered it into the net to give United all three points. Larne to their credit continued to attack the United goal, but when a throw in went against them midfielder Quigley decided to have a go at Aiden Watson, but the referee merely ticked him off. Two minutes later Quigley head-butted the United midfielder and received a mandatory red card and Larne finished the game with nine players. In the end it was a victory we just about deserved, not a pretty thing, but a victory just the same!

McFrederick 7 Aiden Watson 6 MoM: Sweeney

Donaghy 7 Sweeney 8

McClean 6 McDowell 7

Haveron 6 King 6 Referee: S. Weatherall 3

Albert Watson 7 1st Sub: Kelbie 6

Simms 6 2nd Sub: Melly 7

Scates 6