Just Enough!

They say that in cup games, its only winning that counts and that was all United did last night, a 2-0 victory over the 'physical' Donegal Celtic saw United through to the Crest County Antrim Shield semi-finals. Pretty it was not, good football was almost impossible with the tactics of the opposition, who 'hit hard and often'. Antrim referee Alan Black booked several visiting players, but how he allowed their number 6 to stay on the park after a late challenge on United keeper Paul Murphy, only he knows. The local referee, who has in the past come in for a fair amount of criticism from United fans, awarded the Sky Blues a penalty after 11 minutes when Stephen Lowry's shot was handled by a Celtic defender. Up stepped on-loan striker Davitt Walsh to put the home team in front with a low shot into the corner of the net. Walsh had already missed a glorious chance to give United the lead, when a great cross from Simon Kelly found him completely unmarked, but somehow he failed to find the target with a free header. With Aaron Callaghan still on International duty the United manager had drafted Gary Haveron into central defence alongside Albert Watson, therefore releasing Kelly to the right-back slot. Stephen Lowry was the only other change to United's starting line-up from the Glenavon game. That United were unable to add to their tally during the remainder of the first half was mainly down to poor finishing and the visitors spoiling tactics. Aiden Watson was at his best in centre midfield but his forwards failed to capitalise on his industry. Another great chance was spurned when Watson won a free kick about 30 yards from goal. This looked like one for Simon Kelly, but Gary Haveron took it instead driving his shot against the Donegal wall. The United physio was on the field on 3 occasions but luckily halftime was reached without any serious injuries.

Donegal Celtic came out with renewed enthusiasm in the second half and set about taking the game to the home team. The pressure was fairly relentless but the Sky Blues managed to hang on to their slender one goal lead and began building some attacks of their own. Big striker Paul Brown was working hard for United but couldn't manage to get the vital breakthrough. The visitors made a couple of changes and United had a let-off when an Armstrong shot cannoned off the crossbar with Murphy stranded. Just when it looked like United would have to settle for a one nil victory, they got their insurance goal. Davitt Walsh controlled a through ball before feeding it through for Picking who surged towards goal, easily out-pacing former United defender Kieran Donaghy, before sending a powerful shot goalwards, which although the visiting keeper got his hands to, he couldn't prevent it entering the net. That goal came after 70 minutes and the visitors almost pulled one back when the United defence was caught out by a swift raid down the right. The cross was headed goalwards but United keeper Paul Murphy made a stunning save at the expense of a corner to break the visitors hearts and silence their handful of spectators and their 'infernal' drum. former united striker Anton Rogan who had just come on as a sub, 'ttok a dive in the penalty box, but referee Black was unimpressed. Mark Picking almost notched a second goal in the 75th minute but after latching onto a Kelly pass his low shot just missed the target. Manager Wright rung the changes soon after, taking off Walsh for Randall Reid, Scates was then replaced by Lee Patrick, while Picking made way for young Stephen O'Neill to make his United debut. Despite 4 minutes of stoppage time being added United safely plotted their way to the next round and only Paul Brown knows how he failed to score when he drove the ball over the bar late on with the goal at his mercy. The referee finally brought proceedings to a halt and United fans and management heaved a big sigh of relief. Much has been said about the great things Donegal Celtic bring to the Irish league, but there was little evidence of this last night. Their team was a team of 'cloggers', they only brought 20 fans and they have a few 'sectarian issues' they need to address rather urgently!

Murphy 8 Aid Watson 8 MoM: Aid Watson

Kelly 7 Brown 7

McClean 6 Walsh 7

Scates 6 Lowry 7 Referee: A. Black 5

Alb Watson 6 1st Sub: Reid 7

Haveron 7 2nd Sub: Patrick 6

Picking 7 3rd Sub: O'Neill 6