Raw Deal!

As I forked out my admission price tonight to enter the Limavady Showgrounds, I couldn't help thinking it was pretty expensive, £8, to watch what I knew in advance would be dismal fair. United manager, Tommy Wright made three changes to his starting line-up of Tuesday past, back came Craig McClean and Simon Kelly, in defence, while Lee Patrick got a start in midfield in place of Garth Scates. United did get off to a good start and striker kevin Kelbie turned provider, crossing from the left wing for Gavin Melaugh to prod the ball into the net to give the Sky Blues a one nil lead after 20 mins. At this stage United were in control and we all fervently hoped for them to go on and win the game from that point. But of course we didn't press home our advantage and the home team got a lifeline a minute before halftime when number 8 Tommins took a pass and beat Murphy from 15 yards to leave the scores level at the interval.

Limavady made a substitution at the break with former Coleraine veteran Paul Gaston coming on, the United management took no action, no surprise there. Gaston drew a booking from referee David Carville almost immediately but he did steady the home defence and United despite dominating the early part of the half couldn't find the vital breakthrough. They forced several corners but the Limavady players defended stoutly and were rewarded for their persistence. United gave the ball away cheaply when mounting an attack, the 'sluggush' Lee Patrick failing to reach a pass from Craig McClean and the home team showed United how it should be done with four crisp passes, which ended with McClean beating Murphy with a low volley from 25 yards after 67 minutes. Soon after the United manager took out the underperforming Stephen Lowry and Lee Patrick, bringing on the hopeless Mark Picking and Garth Scates in their place. Where was the positive move here I thought, take off 2 mediocre midfielders and bring on 2 others of the same ilk, while Stuarty King continues to impersonate a footballer and contrbutes nothing to the team. The Sky Blues got worse after this and it was no surprise when the home team scored a 3rd with 6 minutes remaining, Tommins glancing a header into the net as the United defence looked on. I don't know what happened after that as I left feeling utterly disgusted by this passionless display, while thinking to myself how I and the 200 plus United fans who made this journey got a very raw deal. Surely the time has come for the United board to act, Tommy has had his time, he has no idea of how to turn this team round and he must go sooner, rather than later!

Murphy 6 Melaugh 6 MoM: Melaugh

Wray 5 Ward 5

McClean 5 Kelbie 6

Patrick 4 King 4 Referee: D. Carville 4

Watson 5 1st Sub: Scates 4

Kelly 5 2nd Sub: Picking 4

Lowry 5