Still Looking!

United manager Tommy Wright, true to his word, gave an instant recall to Fitzy after the wee striker notched a hat-trick for the reserves last Saturday. Despite Tommy's reshuffling of his starting eleven, Kelly moving to central defence, Wray to right-back, Picking returning on the right wing with Melaugh and Scates reforming a partnership in the middle, United were second best as far as attacking ideas were concerned. Referee Alan Black annoyed the visiting Sky Blue fans when he booked Simon Kelly for a foul after only 20 mins but thereafter allowed the home team to get away with deliberate handballs and even worse fouls. United though paid a heavy price for this foul for as the ball was driven across goal, Simon Kelly glanced a header into his own net to give the home team the lead. United didn't let this misfortune affect them too much and continued to probe for openings, without much success. From another Dungannon free kick United had a lucky let-off when the ball just sailed by the post with Murphy nowhere. Halftime was reached with United still one down but the i was hopeful they would turn it round in the second period.

Alas my hopes were unfounded and in fact it was the home team who came closest to scoring, firstly their great transfer prospect, McAllister, missed the target when he rose unchallenged to head a corner wide and soon after United keeper Murphy allowed a harmless looking shot to go past him, but luckily it struck the post and rebounded to safety. United did manage two shots on target in the second period, the pick of which was a shot from Scates which former keeper Dwayne Nelson saved at the second attempt. The United manager rang the changes for the last 20 mins, with Picking making way for Cushley and Lowry coming on for Melaugh. The last throw of the dice saw Walsh replacing Wray, with Fitzy dropping into midfield, but United were still devoid of ideas. The one positive to come out of this game was the spirit of the players, which maybe, just maybe, could see us turn the corner, only thing is, it needs to happen sooner, rather than later!


Murphy 6 Melaugh 5 MoM: Fitzy

Wray 5 Fitzy 7

McClean 6 Kelbie 6

Scates 5 King 6 Referee: A. Black 3

Alb Watson 6 1st Sub: Cushley 5

Kelly 6 2nd Sub: Lowry 6

Picking 6 3rd Sub: Walsh 6