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