Picking Strikes!

United got back to winning ways at Newry today in a game that will not live long in my personal memory. Manager Wright as intimated in Sky Blue Sport, made 3 changes to his starting line-up, Aiden Watson in for Gareth Scates, Stuart King for Darren Murphy and fit again young striker Randall Reid in place of top scorer Kevin Kelbie. The first half was a boring nondescript affair and apart from a flick from a Newry forward that skimmed off the visitor’s crossbar, I can’t remember one item worthy of note. Former United keeper Goosey Robinson was the recipient of some playful banter from the travelling United support, who with little else to sing about, gave a rendition for United’s imminent signing of Gavin Melaugh from Donegal Celtic. United did threaten the home goal on a number of occasions, but their final pass was usually of a poor quality, either behind a player or too close to the home keeper. It was no surprise when halftime arrived with a score of 0-0 and the match had the look of a scoreless draw written all over it.

Newry started the second half in a positive frame of mind and subjected the visitors to some early pressure, but with no real threat. Eight minutes into the half United broke and the ball was played through for Randall Reid to chase. Newry defender Paddy Quinn, muscled the young United striker off the ball and was so pleased with himself, that instead of hoofing the ball into touch and safety, he attempted to roll it back to his keeper. The ever alert Fitzy intercepted the ball near the goal-line and then cheekily back-heeled it into Randall’s path and the young striker stroked it past Goosey to put United one up. The United fans, myself included were urging their team to be vigilant and not allow the home team an easy equaliser as per our last game against the Coleraine Scum. United did consolidate for awhile and when they did manage to break they were invariably held up by a rather efficient Newry offside trap. Winger Mark Picking has been on fire for the Sky Blues over the last few weeks and it was he who increased United’s lead after 66 minutes. Lee Patrick threaded the ball through to Fitzy and he laid it deftly into Picking’s path and the winger burst through on goal, rounded Goosey and fired United into a two goal lead, with his sixth goal of the season. Manager Wright took off Fitzy before the game could restart, bringing on Kelbie to partner Randall up front. Five minutes later this substitution bore fruit as Picking skipped down the wing and as his cross came over, Kelbie was blatantly pushed in the back. Referee Steven Weatherall gave the penalty and after a bit of a discussion, Gary Haveron took on the role and hit the ball firmly into the right corner of the net, as Goosey dived the other way. Six minutes later the United defence went asleep and failed to cut out a simple cross and Newry substitute Fitzgerald forced the ball into the net. The United fans looked a bit anxious for the next few minutes and there were a few nervy twangs as the home team attempted to reduce the leeway even further. United had taken off a tiring Randall Reid and brought on Scatesy on the right wing, with Picking moving up front beside Kelbie. United had a couple of chances to put the match out of reach, but were content to try and ‘kill time’ at the corner flag, not something I personally enjoy. With the match well into injury time, Picking broke the Newry offside trap again and with Goosey rooted to his goal-line he tried to find Aiden Watson with a pass, instead of going for the goal himself. The pass was intercepted, but before United could be made to pay for their poor execution, the referee blew the final whistle. A 3-1 victory for United, three points in the bag, so all we need now is a draw with the Glens on Tuesday night. After their first league defeat at home to Portadown today I think we’ll face a lot sterner task than at Newry today. But let’s enjoy our victory in the meantime and a Happy New Year to all Sky Blue fans from all at Sky Blue Sport!

P. Murphy 7 Patrick 7 MoM: Picking

Callaghan 6 Reid 7

McClean 6 Fitzy 7

Aid Watson 6 King 5 Referee: S. Weatherall 4

Alb Watson 6 1^st Sub: Kelbie 6

Haveron 7 2^nd Sub: Scates 6

Picking 8