Lost Ball!

United were forced into making three changes to their starting line-up from Boxing day, Stuarty King took Cushley's place although he was fit enough to get a place on the subs bench. Thomas Wray took over at rightback for the injured Simon Kelly and Gary Haveron dropped back from midfield to cover the injured Craiggers McClean, with Lee Patrick getting a rare start in midfield. Newry's swift forwards were proving quite a handful for the United defence, aided and abetted by a linesman who seemed to have no idea what constituted an offside. He had already missed two, before Sean Friars pushed the ball to Richard Clarke, a good two yards offside, but the linesman kept his flag down and the Newry player slotted the ball into the United net with barely 5 minutes on the clock. United looked sluggish and were indebted to keeper Paul Murphy for a one-handed save from a Friars shot, while the rebound from Clarke found the side netting. United couldn't seem to string many passes together during the first half and former keeper Goosey Robinson dealt capably with anything that came his way. Goosey however was powerless when Stephen Lowry got a bit of good fortune when a Newry defender made a mess of a simple clearance, but his 'cross-cum shot' drifted across the 6 yard box with no-one able to apply the finishing touch. Referee Trevor Moutray got the wrath of the home fans when not allowing an advantage when Captain Albert Watson broke through the static visiting defence only for the referee to call the play back for a late tackle, which the Whitehead man had shrugged off. This was a poor piece of refereeing as he could've waited to see if there was any advantage, but he blew immediately and the chance was lost. Halftime was reached with United trailing 1-0 and the players had to endure some 'stick' from the home fans as they left the pitch.

It was a much different United who came out for the second half and they levelled the score just 4 minutes after the break. Gavin Melaugh made an interception on the halfway line and fed the ball into Kelbie's path. The 'flying' Scotsman took off and as Robinson advanced planted a left foot shot into the net to level the scores. United with fullback Wray prompting looked rampant at this stage and only Garth Scates knows how he messed up when left with only the keeper to beat, completely miskicking from 15 yards. Kevin Kelbie then showed the visiting defence some of his tricks down the right, cut inside onto his favourite left foot before blasting the ball high and wide, when surely all he needed was to hit the target. As United pushed for the winner there were leaving gaps at the back, but their back four in general and Wray and Haveron in particular were in top form. Wray came to his sides rescue on three separate occasions and his distribution was first class also. It became obvious that Stephen Lowry was suffering on the heavy pitch and he made way for Mark Picking after 75 minutes. Picking was barely on the field 4 minutes when he took a delightful pass from Wray down the right channel, before squaring to the unmarked Kelbie and despite the ball being slightly behind him, he got it under control and slotted it past the hapless Goosey with his right foot to make it 2-1 to United. Newry's answer to this setback was to forgo their one touch football and begin hoisting balls at the United defence, hoping to draw fouls and even though they succeeded on a couple of occasions, the United defence dealt capably with them. Kelbie then missed a glorious chance to make the game safe, when he shrugged off his marker but with the goal at his mercy, he dragged his shot wide and missed the chance to go home with the match ball. United manager Tommy Wright substituted him almost immediately and he left the field to a standing ovation from the true Sky Blue fans, to be replaced by on-loan signing Davitt Walsh. United wasted a couple of free kicks, by trying to waste time, something which I personally abhor. Want away defender Aaron Callaghan came on for the last couple of minutes in place of Lee Patrick and despite 3 minutes of stoppage time the home team held out for a good victory and with half the matches played they find themselves in fourth place in the league table, now it's a matter of staying there!


Murphy 7 Scates 7 MoM: Wray

Wray 8 Melaugh 7

Haveron 8 Kelbie 8

Patrick 7 King 6 Referee: T Moutray 4

Watson 7 1st Sub: Picking 7

Flynn 7 2nd Sub: Walsh 6

Lowry 7 3rd Sub: Callaghan 6

Close Encounter!

Derby day at Coleraine and United had to settle for a share of the spoils and in the end it was probably a fair result, although the Sky Blues did come closest to taking all 3 points. The large crowd of Sky Blue fans who made their way to the Ballycastle Road venue, sang their hearts out almost constantly in an effort to lift their team, but even with their vocal support the first half was practically a non-event. In fact the closest United came to scoring was when Kevin kelbie neatly turned his marker inside the box, but his shot not only eluded 'fat' Davey O'Hare, but also missed the target as well. United began the match with the same formation as they employed away to Lisburn Distillery, the only change to that starting line-up being Simon Kelly at rightback, for the 'want-away' Aaron Callaghan. United were dealt a body-blow midway through the half, when David Cushley was injured and had to be helped off the pitch, with Stuarty King taking his place. In an ironic twist of fate, this was the second derby in a row that Cushley had went off injured in. Referee Ken Ginnet, who was in a most benevolent mood allowed the home team to get away with some 'dodgy' tackles and some very late challenges. He even allowed the a home player to get away with a high arm tackle on United's Gary Haveron who was doing some sterling work in the United 'engine room'. Left-back Craiggers McClean restored to the starting line-up, made a couple of good interceptions as the home team tried to catch United on the break. The referee finally woke up and cautioned a home player after a nasty tackle on Scatesy, but in my opinion it was 'too little, too late'. The home team dominated the possession, but despite several long range shots, seldom troubled a solid United back four, ably led by Captain Albert Watson. At the end of the first period I was astounded to see the fourth official, a former player at both clubs, Dessie Loughery, hold up a mere minute of stoppage time. During this added time United did force a corner but allowed fat Davey the luxury of being able to palm the ball to safety and the half ended scoreless.

United showed a bit more urgency in the second period and Gavin Melaugh almost broke the deadlock, but could only force a good stop from fat Davey. Ten minutes into the half the home team brought on the tall Davey Patton in an effort to find an opening but again it was the visitors who looked the more likely to score and Gary Haveron's goalbound header from a King corner forced another top notch save from O'Hare. As United stepped up the pressure, they won a free-kick about 25 yards from goal, but Gary Haveron's shot was straight at fat Davey and he saved easily. Coleraine then managed to exert a bit of pressure on the United defence and their keeper Paul Murphy stood rooted to his goal-line and allowed his defence to deal with the pressure. The United defence seemed to have weathered the 'storm' but with 19 minutes remaining midfielder McCallion hoisted a hopeful ball into the United area, again Murphy stood rooted to his line and as his defence hesitated, substitute Patton reacted quickly to thread the ball past Murphy's despairing dive to put the home team 1-0 ahead. United to their credit didn't allow their heads to drop and roared right back at the home team. Four minutes later Stephen Lowry won a corner wide on the right and from Stuarty King's pinpoint kick, Johnny Flynn headed on and Lowry popped up to steer the ball into the net for the equaliser. United manager Tommy Wright took off Scatesy soon after, but instead of bringing on a striker, he brought on midfielder Lee Patrick instead. United did manage though to create another chance, but a defender just managed to hook a Flynn header to safety with O'Hare well beaten. In a last throw of the dice the United manager took off the tiring Lowry and brought on Mark Picking. Despite forcing another couple of corners and 4 minutes of stoppage time United couldn't find the vital breakthrough and the match ended all square, but I think it was a good chance lost.

Murphy 6 Scates 7 MoM: Haveron

Kelly 7 Cushley 6

McClean 7 Kelbie 7

Haveron 8 Melaugh 7 Referee: K. Ginnet 2

Watson 7 1st Sub: King 7

Flynn 7 2nd Sub: Patrick 6

Lowry 7 3rd Sub: Picking 6

Riding High!

Maybe I should be saying, riding our luck also, as the Sky Blues continue to win, without really hitting top form. Some of these days we will be caught out, but hopefully it will be later rather than sooner. United began the match with two changes in personnel from the line-up that beat Lisburn Distillery last Tuesday night, a victory that jumped United up 3 places to 4th in the Premier league table with 25 points. Out went Aaron Callaghan, with Simon Kelly taking over the right-back slot, while Craig McClean was dropped in favour of Fitzy, with Gary Haveron dropping to leftback to cover Craig's absence. I believe Gary only has another 4 places to occupy on the United team sheet and then he'll have worn every jersey at least once. Although he performed well enough in the position, it isn't natural for him and hopefully Craiggers will return for the Boxing Day clash away to the scum. United lost the toss and seemed 'ill at ease' not being able to attack their favourite end in the first half. Johnny Flynn, was in top form in the home defence, backed up by keeper Paul Murphy and between them they 'snuffed' out any danger from North-west visitors Institute. United were caught out by some dodgy offside decisions and some unusual decisions by referee Carville, who seemed to have a weird interpretation of the rules. He did on one occasion indicate to an Institute player where to take a throw-in from, but when the player ignored him, he issued no second warning and gave the throw to United. United were struggling to get any attacks going, but Fitzy failed to get a cross in on one occasion, with the 'Stute defence split wide open. As the half came to a close, 4th official Steven Weatherall indicated that a minute of stoppage time would be played. There seemed little danger when United won a throw-in level with the visitors goal, but Kelly found Kelbie with the throw and he slipped his marker, before striking a shot which the keeper couldn't hold and it found the back of the net. Just how close this was to halftime was indicated by the whistle sounding just as the visitors kicked-off and it gave the home team a fortuitous 1-0 lead at the break.

Scatesy didn't appear for the second half, but whether this was tactical, or whether he was injured I couldn't say, but Lee Patrick took his place in midfield. Kevin Kelbie missed a glorious chance in the 48th minute, when he drove a shot straight at the visitor's keeper when a score looked likely, after good work by Kelly, Lowry and Melaugh. The visitors came more into the game in the second period and brought an end to United's great run of 5 matches without conceding a goal after 57 minutes. Simon Kelly allowed his man to hit in a low cross and it 'ricocheted' off United Captain Albert Watson's legs past the stranded Paul Murphy to level the scores at 1-1. That was the first bit of bad luck United have had for some time, but fortune swung their way ten minutes later. There seemed little danger when goalkeeper Dougherty was fielding a back pass, but live-wire United winger, David Cushley, chased it down anyway. The 'Stute keeper was not so 'astute' and he hit a feeble clearance which fell at Kelbie's feet. The United goal-machine collected the ball and surged goalwards and despite a bit of a stutter, he drove the ball into the net to put his side 2-1 ahead. The United manager took David Cushley off with Stuarty King taking his place, but it seemed to be a matter of what we have we hold for United from that point on. The visiting keeper made another 'horlicks' as his team pushed up in search of an equaliser, when he surged from his goal to chest the ball down, but instead of 'hoofing' it into touch, he tried to pass to one of his players. Lee Patrick picked up the ball in midfield before feeding Fitzy, but his feeble shot failed to find the target. The United manager took off Fitzy late on with Picking taking his place, but he had little time to make an impact. Despite the referee finding 5 minutes of stoppage time United held out for victory and held onto 4th place at the same time. A victory is a victory they say, but I for one would like to see us do it a bit more convincingly, though I would take a scrappy 2-1 win next Wednesday!


Murphy 7 Scates 6 MoM: Kelbie

Kelly 6 Fitzy 5

Haveron 6 Kelbie 7

Melaugh 7 Cushley 6 Referee: D. Carville 4

Watson 7 1st Sub: Patrick 6

Flynn 7 2nd Sub: King 5

Lowry 7 3rd Sub: Picking 6

Two Halves!

The old saying that it's a game of two halves, was never better illustrated than in last night's match at New Grovesnor. Before the game got underway there was some excitement in the stand as David 'the Bigot' Jeffrey took his seat, no doubt anxious to see how the game should really be played. Distillery won the toss and elected to attack the Lisburn end of the ground and almost caught United cold in the first couple of minutes. Stephen Shaw, who has been at more clubs than former United manager Alan Campbell, took a long throw in on the edge of the United box. No United defender challenged home striker Gary Browne but United keeper Paul Murphy rescued his defence with a good save at the expense of a corner. Five minutes later he 'made the save of the season', when pushing a point blank shot from Waterworth round the post once more, an incredible stop. I think in many ways this was one of the reasons behind United's renaissance as the home team looked shattered and United began to find a few openings themselves. David Cushley had retained his place in a five man midfield, the only change to Saturday's line-up being the return of young defender Johnny Flynn, at the expense of Fitzy. Cushley was doing his best to support lone striker Kevin Kelby, while Gary Haveron helped out in defence when the home team, aided and abetted by a poor linesman, who missed about 4 blatant offsides, exerted some pressure on the United back four. Gavin Melaugh and Scatesy were at their best in centre midfield, while right winger Stephen Lowry was at his trickiest down the right flank. United despite winning two or three free kicks and corners couldn't manage a breakthrough and home keeper Phillipp Matthews could even afford the luxury of the fumbling of an easy cross, but no United player reacted soon enough to embarrass the home keeper. David Cushley or the 'Cush' as he is known to some United fans, is fast developing into a key member of United's midfield and he demonstrated this last night with a couple of timely tackles and supporting United leftback Craiggers McClean. With the minutes ticking away towards halftime, Craiggers was harshly adjudged to have fouled a Whites player on the edge of the box and in fact the linesman only 'flagged' when the home players appealed to him. Former United player Paul Muir hit a left-foot shot which skimmed the crossbar, the United defensive wall had done it's job and anyway keeper Murphy appeared to have it covered. The half was reached with the game still scoreless and we eagerly awaited the resumption, while deriding the Bigoted Jeffrey as he went for a halftime cuppa.

Two minutes into the second half United almost broke the deadlock when Aaron Callaghan chipped the ball into Scatesy and he in turn cleverly lobbed the advancing Matthews, but a Whites defender managed to hook the ball to safety. A minute later Gavin Melaugh fed the Cush through the middle and his rising shot thudded off the crossbar with the keeper beaten all ends up. But United were not to be denied and they took a deserved lead in the 50th minute, when a pass found the home defence split asunder and although Kevin Kelbie seemed to miskick the ball, it eluded the home keeper and found the back of the net. United had their tails up now and were threatening to run their opponents into the ground, while you could see the home player's collective heads dropping. As so often happens in these cases, the least likely thing occurred. Kevin Kelbie had struggled with high balls all night, with a home fan mocking him saying, 'you're useless in the air', but boy he made him eat his words. Paul Murphy took a free kick about thirty yards from his goal and Kelbie rose like an eagle cushioning a header to Stephen Lowry, who sped down the wing before firing in a majestic cross. There to meet it was the Cush and he headed it into the net to put United two up with only 14 minutes gone in the half. The match was virtually over after this although there were a couple of bookings for both teams and the home team's Ryan McCann was rightly sent off for elbowing United's Stephen Lowry. United manager Tommy Wright rung the changes in the last 15 minutes, taking off Cush and bringing on Stuarty King and then Lee Patrick replaced Scatesy. Stuarty missed a glorious opportunity to set Kelbie away when he couldn't find the unmarked striker and instead went for goal himself, but failed to trouble the keeper. With 5 minutes left Stephen Lowry made way for Mark Picking and in a bizarre twist after a home defender had knocked the ball out of Murphy's hand, the United keeper found his way into referee Turkington's book also. United managed to keep the ten men at bay recording a clean sheet for the 5th match in succession and leaping into fourth place in the league as well and despite the efforts of the home forwards, allegedly shooting at the floodlights, they stayed on this time!

Murphy 8 Scates 8 MoM: Haveron

Callaghan 7 Cushley 8

McClean 7 Kelbie 8

Haveron 8 Melaugh 8 Referee: B. Turkington 4

Alb Watson 8 1st Sub: King 5

Flynn 7 2nd Sub: Patrick 6

Lowry 8 3rd Sub: Picking 6

Limping Along!

United fans are gradually coming to terms with the Sky Blues tactics of just doing enough to win and so it was yesterday when they travelled to play Donegal Celtic. Indeed during the first 15 minutes it was the locals who looked the most likely to score and the United rearguard was under some real pressure during the opening quarter of the half. Gary Haveron, alongside United Captain Albert Watson in a central defensive role was struggling but luckily for the visitors their Captain was in top form as was keeper Paul Murphy. United had made two changes to their starting line-up of the previous week, with Haveron dropping back into defence for the suspended Johnny Flynn, David Cushley took Gary's place on the left-side of midfield. Fitzy took the place of the injured Davitt Walsh, but the Letterkenny man had recovered enough to get a place on the bench. Stephen Lowry gave the home leftback McCabe, a former United player, a torrid time and invoked a foul on the edge of the box. Referee David Best, an ardent Linfield fan, must have a soft spot for the D.C. as well for he allowed the players to be only 5 yards from Cushley's free kick and it ricocheted away to safety. When the visitors got a free in a similar position after 20 minutes he physically paced out the distance for the United wall to retreat. United keeper Paul Murphy made a good if unspectacular save for a corner from the free kick. From the resultant corner, United's under-21 fullback Aaron Callaghan swept from his own half deep into the home team's half, only to be scythed down by McCabe and the referee cautioned the Celtic leftback. United, falling into bad old habits again, took a short free kick, but as has happened so many times in the past it came to nothing. With 27 minutes on the clock Lowry was fouled once more near the edge of the box and Cushley this time made sure his kick avoided the Celtic wall and United Captain Albert Watson glanced a header into the home net. This goal it has to be said came against the run of play and two minutes later it should've been doubled. Kevin Kelbie, man-marked by former United defender Kieran Donaghy, wriggled past the Celtic defender and though his pass took a slight deflection it fell nicely to Fitzy. The home goalie was well off his line, but Fitzy's attempted lob went wide when it looked easier to score. This could have proved an expensive miss but United kept the home team at bay for the rest of the half and went in at the break leading by the solitary goal.

The home team came out in a determined fashion for the second half and it seemed only a matter of time before they would get an equaliser. Former player Donaghy forced a good save from United keeper Murphy and in fact D.C. forced 4 corners during the first 5 minutes of the half. United did have a few breakaways, but referee Best and his assistants were extremely lenient with the home rightback who continually fouled United's David Cushley, drawing finally an explosion from United manager Tommy Wright and visiting fans. United were defending too deeply in my opinion and when they did break they seemed reluctant to cross the ball. Gavin Melaugh should've done better though with a free header from one slick move involving Lowry but his weak header was easily saved by the keeper. With 71 minutes on the clock United finally got the insurance goal when rightback Callaghan delivered a rare cross into the box and Scatesy popped up to steer the ball into the empty net, his third goal of the season. United manager Tommy Wright made a couple of changes afterwards, with Stuarty King replacing Cushley and Lee Patrick coming on for Stephen Lowry. Kevin Kelbie almost got on the score sheet when he latched onto a Patrick cross but drove the ball straight at the home keeper. Stuarty King then headed tamely into the keepers arms, but the miss of the match came after 85 minutes when after good play from Kelbie, Fitzy took the ball off the striker's toe 15 yards from goal, but drove it wide of an empty net. With two minutes to go Fitzy broke clear down the left and with Kelbie screaming for a pass he cut it back to Stuarty King, but he messed up once more. United survived the 3 minutes of added time and had kept a clean sheet once more, but methinks they'll have a much sterner test come Tuesday night when they travel to New Grovesnor in the game abandoned 15 days ago, hopefully the 'real' United will show it's face then!


Murphy 7 Scates 7 MoM: Watson

Callaghan 6 Fitzy 5

McClean 6 Kelbie 7

Melaugh 7 Cushley 7 Referee: D. Best 3

Watson 8 !st Sub: King 5

Haveron 7 2nd Sub: Patrick 6

Lowry 7

Heart Breakers!

The small crowd of 'Larne yins,' who made their way to the Showgrounds on Friday night, must have went home very disappointed. The bottom club in the Irish Premiership they are, but they gave a great account of themselves at the wet and windy home of the Sky Blues, but went home with nothing. United, with the same starting line-up for the third time in a row, looked like a team with other things on their mind and despite having a strong wind at their backs failed to trouble the Larne defence to any great extent early on. The most interesting thing about the first half was in fact the constant use of the offside trap by the visitors and the linesman who didn't seem to know that you were only offside when the ball was played, not when you received it. Never was this better illustrated than when United had a goal disallowed near halftime when he 'flagged' for offside, despite the United players timing their run to perfection when McClean swung in a free kick, yes admittedly they looked offside when they got to the ball, but when it was played they were well on-side, but no matter the goal didn't stand anyway. United had created a few chances during the first period, but Kelbie and Walsh both messed up with clumsy touches when well placed and our long range shooting was so bad it was almost laughable. Halftime was reached with the score at nil, nil and I was a bit apprehensive about the second half with the visitors having the strong wind in their favour.

Surprisingly, or maybe given our form, unsurprisingly, we actually played much better in the second half, but still seemed incapable of finding the vital breakthrough. The visitors also looked more menacing and forced a couple of corners but the home defence with young Johnny Flynn in top form dealt capably with them. Larne central defender Hamilton, was 'putting' himself about, but referee Black took no action against the culprit. Garth Scates then missed a 'sitter' when he was played through by Gavin Melaugh, blasting his shot over the bar from 15 yards. Kevin Kelbie chased down a back-pass to the keeper, who after juggling with the ball, lost possession, before pulling the United man down deliberately. With the nearest Larne defender 30 yards away it was a clear cut sending off for the Larne keeper, but referee Black merely flourished a yellow card. With 20 minutes to go united manager Tommy Wright made what was to turn out to be an inspired substitution, taking off Craig McClean, who had performed well and bringing on David Cushley, this necessitated Gary Haveron dropping back to left back. Four minutes later United won a corner on the right and Cushley's inswinger was headed home by Kelbie to the delight of the Sky Blue faithful. Larne, to their credit, didn't allow their heads to drop and took the game to United and from one goalmouth scramble the ball struck the United post, before being scrambled to safety. Larne's number 7 then squeezed between Flynn and Watson, only to see his effort annulled by a one-handed save by Paul Murphy. United striker Davitt Walsh was then involved in a tackle with Hamilton of Larne, although the referee didn't give it as a foul the Larne player appeared to stamp on Walsh as he lay on the ground. The United striker was stretchered off with what was a suspected broken leg, but is now thought to be just heavy bruising, while the Larne defender escaped punishment. Fitzy came on as sub for Walsh and should have wrapped the points up, when a great cross from Cushley after a scintillating run just needed a touch, but Fitzy failed to apply it. Hamilton of Larne was finally booked by referee Black after one foul too many on United's Kevin Kelbie, not before time in the eyes of the home supporters myself included, I can tell you. Kelbie, with space opening up as the Larne players tired, found Fitzy with a delightful pass, but he shot straight at the Larne keeper, when it looked easier to score. Two minutes later in the 85th minute Fitzy made amends when he cheekily back heeled a Cushley cross into the net to virtually wrap up the points for United. Larne defender Hamilton picked up a second yellow and an automatic sending off when he pulled Kelbie down as the home striker sprinted past him on the edge of the box. Substitute David Cushley swept a beauty past the stranded Larne keeper from the resultant free kick to wrap up a three nil win for the home team. Three points, yes, impressive, no it was not, but who can argue with the result, we did after all send those harbour rats home, very disappointed!


Murphy 7 Scates 6 MoM: Flynn

Callaghan 6 Walsh 7

McClean 7 Kelbie 8

Haveron 7 Melaugh 7 Referee: A. Black 4

Watson 7 1st Sub: Cushley 8

Flynn 8 2nd Sub: Fitzy 7

Lowry 6

Lights Out!

Ballymena, as forecast on Sky Blue Sport, began with the same eleven players as last week at a windswept New Grovesnor. To say that United were under the 'cosh' in the first half, was a gross understatement. The home team made full use of the elements and took advantage of a linesman who had next to no understanding of the offside rule. Time and time again the home team carved the United defence open on both flanks and more by good luck than anything else the visitors clung on as if their lives depended on it. After one blatant offside missed by the linesman Johnny Flynn got back to dispossess home striker Gary Browne, a crucial bit of defending by the youngster. United were only able to break occasionally and Kelbie and Walsh tested the home keeper with shots from distance. Just when it looked like United would survive to halftime their dam burst when an incisive movement down the right ended with Whites striker Gary Browne volleying the home team into the lead in the 35th minute. Surprisingly United, completely against the run of play it must be said, were given a lifeline when midfielder Gavin Melaugh beat home defender Muir to the ball on the edge of the box and hit a crisp left foot shot into the net after 40 minutes. This goal gave the visitors a bit of a lift and they won their first corner on the stroke of halftime and home keeper Matthews was lucky to grab the ball at the second attempt.

The second half was late in starting as a bank of floodlights at one side of the ground had failed to come on. The referee deliberated with both managers and both Captains before allowing the game to proceed. This was a mistake that was to prove costly to United as the lights that were out meant the left side of their penalty box was in almost total darkness. United stepped up the pace in the second half and the home defence were put under severe pressure but the visitors couldn't find the vital breakthrough. Shots and corners were rained in on the home goal, but with a bit of good fortune and some dogged defending they somehow survived. Then disaster struck for United when Andy Waterworth sprinted up the right wing into the dark area of the pitch and his cross deflected off United's Johnny Flynn and past keeper Paul Murphy who probably never saw the ball in the murk. That goal came in the 70th minute and seven minutes later the referee brought the game to a premature halt, citing unsafe ground conditions. I know we must abide by the referee's decision, but most United fans, myself included believed conditions were no worse than at the start of the second half. Home manager Paul Kirk was scathing in his remarks about the referee calling the game off, but I'm sure he's secretly delighted as its 90% certain that his team will be awarded the points. Generally when a game passes the 73rd minute the result stands and I can't see the 'punchless' I.F.A. do anything but stand by this rule. If the shoe was on the other foot (United leading 2-1 when the game was abandoned), I would definitely want this rule adhered to and my gut feeling on this occasion is it will be. I'm just annoyed we weren't allowed the chance to decide the result over 90 minutes, we might still have lost, but it wouldn't have left the empty feeling that this outcome has!


Murphy 7 Lowry 6 MoM: Melaugh

Callaghan 5 Scates 5

McClean 6 Walsh 6 Referee: A. Hunter 3

Haveron 6 Kelbie 6

Watson 6 Melaugh 7

Flynn 7