Dun Over!

First division Dundela knocked United out of the County Antrim Shield without ever breaking into a sweat. United manager Tommy Wright made four changes to his starting line-up and three to his bench making 7changes in all. Out went Saturday’s goalscorer, club Captain Albert Watson, with Gordon Simms taking his place. Out went Aiden Watson with, Stuarty King replacing him. Out went Paul Brown, with Darren Fitzgerald getting his place. The fourth change was forced upon him when Gareth Scates got injured in the warm-up, with Dom Melly taking his place. Austen Friel got a place on the bench alongside youngsters, David Cushley and Gareth McConaghie. United never got to grips with this game, even though they completely dominated the first 12 minutes and then the visitors scored with their first attack. The United defence stood motionless as the Dundela players exchanged passes and allowed Gourley a clear shot at goal which he gratefully accepted. United strove to get back on level terms, but despite forcing several corners they were unable to get a shot on goal. Their players made so many schoolboy errors it was embarrassing, I lost count of the number of times players lost control of the ball, by hitting it too far in front or failing to take it past an opponent. On one occasion Stuarty King found himself free on the left wing and much to the home fans dismay, he was unable to get the ball past the first defender. On the rare occasions when United did make a telling cross, they were penalised by the over fussy referee, Brian Turkington, who allowed no contact with the visiting keeper, whether intentional or not.

Darren Fitzgerald didn’t come out for the second period with Austen Friel taking his place alongside Kevin Kelbie. But it was Dundela who increased their lead 8 minutes into the second-half, when Gary Haveron handled in the box and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Paul Murphy was given no chance with a fiercely struck shot from number 7 Stewart. United continued to probe the Dundela defence with long hopeful balls which brought little reward. The visitors had a defender somewhat harshly booked for time wasting, 15 minutes into the half, but it did ‘nip it in the bud’. Friel and right winger Picking tried to wake United from their slumber, but the final pass always seemed to go awry. United won a free kick in front of the posts about 25 yards from goal, but Darren Murphy’s fiercely struck free kick was parried for a corner by the visiting keeper. Manger Wright brought on young David Cushley for the ineffective King and United somehow gave themselves a lifeline. Kevin Kelbie received a pass on the edge of the box and making room for himself, drove the ball into the net to make the score 2-1 for the visitors. Could United pull this one out of the fire I wondered but my question was soon answered, when the United defence went asleep and Dundela player Gourley was allowed a free header from a corner, which he duly dispatched into the empty net. United brought on young McConaghie in place of Boydie with 10 minutes remaining. David Cushley made a complete Horlicks of two late corners, but this was nothing compared to the miss of the match, when Austen Friel headed over the bar with the keeper stranded. I tell you it was harder to miss than it was to score. This just about summed about United’s display and even though they ‘huffed and puffed’, I just knew nothing was going to come of it and so it proved. The home team went off with their heads hung low in shame, while Dundela were applauded off by a sporting home crowd. If Tommy Wright’s motivational skills were ever needed, then it’s now with the League Champions coming to town on Saturday, otherwise another ‘hiding’ is on the cards.

P. Murphy 6 D. Murphy 5 MoM: Kelbie

Callaghan 5 Fitzy 5

Boydie 5 Kelbie 6

Picking 6 King 5 Referee: B. Turkington 4

Simms 5 1^st Sub: Friel 5

Haveron 4 2^nd Sub: Cushley 5

Melly 5 3^rd Sub: McConaghie 5