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