Tommy's Right!

The big talking point at the Showgrounds Newry on Saturday was the decision by United manager Tommy Wright to resign as United's manager. We may never know the whole truth of why the big Ballyclare man chose to walk away at this juncture, but we must respect his decision as it is 'right' as far as he is concerned. The match itself was fairly typical of Tommy's tenure as a whole in many ways, with United playing at times very well and at others extremely poorly. United struggled with the 'well oiled' Newry offside trap in the first half until an intelligent ball over the top from Gavin Melaugh after 27 minutes released top scorer Kevin Kelbie and he burst into the Newry box before blasting the ball into the net for his 16th goal of the season. Newry probably felt a bit aggrieved at this turn of events as they had dominated the match up until that point. Former United player, Tony 'from the halfway line' Anderson, was involved in the border clubs deserved equaliser 12 minutes later when his partially cleared cross fell to defender McLaughlin who blasted the ball past Murphy in the Ballymena goal. Back came United with the 'move of the match' in first half stoppage time, when in a slick move up the left flank, Melaugh once more sent Scates away and the wee man delivered a 'gem' with his left foot and young striker Paul McNeill opened his senior, goalscoring account with a crisp header past former United keeper Goosey Robinson.

In the second half United began to subject the Newry defence to some extreme pressure, but failed to make the vital breakthrough, while at the other end, former Glens player Chris Morgan was trying his best to 'con' referee Creaney with 'diving' tactics. United almost made the game safe when Kelbie burst through on the right wing, but Goosey made a good save with his legs to deny United's top marksman. United looked like holding onto their 2-1 lead, but in the 78th minute referee Creaney gave a 'home town' decision when he adjudged that a heavy tackle from Tommy Wray was illegal and despite United's venomous protests awarded the home team a penalty kick. Midfielder Richard Clarke gave Murphy no chance from the penalty spot and finally United manager Tommy Wright decided a change was needed, taking off Lowry and bringing on Lee Patrick. With 10 minutes remaining, Picking replaced McNeil but despite the best efforts of both teams the game ended all square at 2-2. The small band of United fans, about 100, applauded the team enthusiastically and called for manager Wright but alas their calls fell on deaf ears as an emotional Wright disappeared down the Newry tunnel. As the Crues unsurprisingly lost to Linfield, United retained a 6th place finish, but it should've been oh so much better!


Murphy 6 Melaugh 7 MoM. Melaugh

Wray 6McNeill6

McClean6Kelbie7

Scates 6King 5 Referee: SW. Creaney 4

Watson 6 1st Sub: Patrick 6

Kelly 7 2nd Sub: Picking 6

Lowry7

Wasted Journey!

Anybody who made the long trip to Drumaho today looking for entertainment, would have been extremely disappointed by the fare served up by Institute and Ballymena. United manager Tommy Wright, for reasons known only to himself, rested the 'hero' from last Saturday's win, Aiden Watson, who paved the way for the returning Gavin Melaugh. Garth Scates, a flop on the right wing was dropped in favour of Stephen Lowry, but the remainder of the team was the one that started last weeks game. United were facing the cold stiff breeze in the first half and seemed devoid of ideas on how to break into their opponents half. When they did however manage to get something going, referee Ken Ginnet was determined not to let them get any momentum as he continually blew for non-existent fouls. As a result the Sky Blues were pinned in their own half most of the time and a goal looked inevitable for the home side. The home side duly took the lead after 28 minutes, when United failed to deal properly with a corner and 'Stute left back, Martin Cutmore squared the ball for Delaney to fire home from 10 yards. United should have got back on level terms, when a Stuart King shot was dropped by the home keeper, but Wardy's follow-up effort was cleared off the line. Kevin Kelbie jumped awkwardly for a high ball and collided accidentally with an opposing player, only to look on in amazement when referee Ginnet flashed the yellow card and to make matters worse Wardy was cautioned also for protesting. Stuarty King inquired of Ginnet if he was being assessed and was anxious to score some 'brownie points' with the home fans. During a stoppage in play Wardy approached the United bench for a drink, exchanged some comments with a member of staff and then threw a water bottle down in disgust. Three minutes later Wardy was surprisingly substituted with young McNeill coming on, a strange decision indeed. The home team failed to add to their lead, although the United goal was subjected to some heavy pressure and keeper Paul Murphy was relieved to see two long range shots miss the target.

Three minutes into the 2nd half United were level, when a shot by Stuarty King took a wicked deflection, to give the home keeper no chance. United could and should've wrapped up all three points when after some good interplay between Lowry and Kelbie resulted in young McNeill being through on goal, but he unfortunately drove his shot straight at the home keeper, who pushed it round the post. Five minutes later the youngster completely miskicked when a Kelbie header fell to him 8 yards out. The bizarre booking continued with at least 3 more United players finding their way into referee Ginnet's book for little reason, while the home team got away with their 'rough house' tactics. McNeill missed another great opportunity when he failed to get a shot in, while at the other end Stuarty King kicked a ball off the goal line with Murphy beaten. Manager Wright took off Lowry, with Mark Picking taking his place and he set up a United attack which ended with Cutmore making a goal-line clearance. Picking then picked up a booking for a silly tackle and United keeper Murphy rescued his side with a good stop deep into injury time. The match ended all square which meant that United, not for the first time this season had failed to beat one of the lesser teams in the league. What's the old saying, 'the more things change, the more they remain the same'!

Murphy 7 Melaugh 6 MoM: Haveron

Wray 6 Wardy 6

McClean 6 Kelbie 5

Haveron 7 King 7 Referee: K. Ginnet 2

Watson 7 1st Sub: McNeill 5

Kelly 6 2nd Sub: Picking 6

Lowry 7

Davey's Gift!

Coleraine goalkeeper, 'Fat' Davey O'Hare generally proves a stumbling block, when United play the Coleraine scum, but yesterday the 'fat' man limped out of the action after only 5 minutes and in my opinion handed the points to the Sky Blues. With Kevin Kelbie passed fit, United manager Tommy Wright reverted to his preferred, 4,4,2 system, bringing transfer listed Stuarty King into the line-up in place of Cushley, while Kelby replaced fellow striker Walsh. Kelby and Gary Haveron were presented with gifts for reaching the 100 appearance milestone with the Sky Blues from United chairman Robert Cupples just prior to kick-off. With barely 3 minutes on the clock 'scum' keeper O'Hare went down injured shortly after fielding a back pass. We then endured 4 minutes of stoppage time while he was treated, he decided to carry on, but 2 minutes later he was substituted with outfield player John Neal taking his place in nets. Surely we all thought this was the time for the United forwards to test the stand-in keeper, with long range shots and cross-balls, but it never materialised. In fact it was the visitors who spurned the best chance early on, when after some neat exchanges, the unmarked Davey Patton screwed his shot wide when it looked easier to score. The first half was a non-event and despite the chanting of both sets of fans, there was little or no atmosphere in the ground. United finally got a shot on target after 35 minutes when Kelbie's right-foot effort was pushed for a corner by keeper Neal. Not for the first time United's corner kick came to nothing and the visitors actually broke menacingly, with United's Aiden Watson saving the day with a last ditch tackle. United keeper Paul Murphy did his best to present the visitors with a goal near halftime, when with loads of time he got himself in a tangle with a backpass, completely missing the ball, but luckily managing to boot it into touch at the second attempt. The United fans breathed a sigh of relief when the halftime whistle came and hoped for better in the second period.

Three minutes into the second half the home team took the lead, when a Garth Scates inswinging corner, was headed powerfully into the net by fullback Tommy Wray, his first goal in a United shirt. To say the United fans were delirious was to make an understatement, they were if you'll pardon the pun, 'over the (blue) moon'. Coleraine attempted to get back in the game, but United ably led by tigerish midfielder Aiden Watson were having none of it. Visiting manager Marty even took off the 'supposed' sensation 16 year-old Stephen Dooley and Jody Tolan, for Tolan it was probably the first time he hadn't been sent off while playing the Sky Blues at the Showgrounds and maybe Marty wanted to avoid that scenario this time. With 20 minutes remaining United got the insurance goal from another Scates corner, Captain Albert Watson got his head to this one and it hit Tommy Wray before finding the net to double United's score and Tommy's goal tally as well. United manager Tommy Wright replaced both strikers soon afterwards, firstly young Paul McNeill took Kelbie's place and soon after United had strong claims for a penalty turned down when Wardy was upended in the box, but referee Trevor Moutray waved play on. United had chances to increase their lead but their final passes weren't incisive enough. Wardy made way for former scum winger Mark Picking, but United couldn't find that vital touch that would produce a third goal. Young McNeill looked impressive and should progress into the United first team, if he continues to improve, I think. Referee Moutray added the required two minutes, 4 subs used and United ran out worthy winners and can now look forward to consolidating 6th place in their last 2 games or with a wee bit of luck, maybe even 5th. At least we've taken 4 points off the 'scum' this season and that's pretty good in my opinion, roll on next season, as they say, 'hope springs eternal'!

Murphy 6 Aid Watson 8 MoM: Aiden Watson

Wray 8 Wardy 6

McClean 7 Kelbie 6

Haveron 7 King 6 Referee: T. Moutray 5

Alb Watson 6 1st Sub: McNeill 7

Kelly 7 2nd Sub: Picking 6

Scates 6

Davey's Gift!

Clean Sheet!

United kept a rare 'clean sheet' at the windswept Showgrounds yesterday and they were indebted to 'man of the match' Paul Murphy who kept them in the game with a couple of good saves, one of which was top drawer. At the other end unfortunately the United forwards had no idea how to open up the Donegal Celtic defence, while their keeper Declan Brown also had a good game. United manager Tommy Wright had to do without top scorer Kevin Kelbie, who didn't travel because of a calf injury, which meant United had no legitimate 'target man' upfront and their dimunitive strike force of Walsh and Wardy were easily dealt with by the visitors defence. The United manager made five changes to the starting line-up who succmbed so easily in United's last match away to Limavady eight days previously. Out went Lee Patrick, Stephen Lowry, Stuarty King, the injured Kelbie and United's scorer from last week, Gavin Melaugh who was serving a one game ban. The players taking their place were, Gary Haveron, Garth Scates, Aiden Watson, Davitt Walsh and David Cushley. With the exception of Gary Haveron, none of these players made any difference in my opinion. In the case of Garth Scates, he is not and never will be a winger and why he takes the 'brunt' of United's free kicks is beyond me as he either blasts them over the bar or too close to the keeper. United with the strong wind at their backs in the first half dominated play and Celtic keeper Brown pushed a Scates corner onto the bar, but referee Burns astonishingly gave a goal kick instead of another corner. David Cushley, who has been lauded by myself and the rest of the 'Sport team, also had a snap shot pushed onto the bar and over and referee Burns gave yet another goalkick. I wonder if there's been a few changes to the rules that I don't know about, like when a player chests a ball down on the goal-line, he gets sent off and the other team get a penalty, ah well that's another story. Celtic almost showed United how it was done, when the home defence was easily undone and former Coleraine striker Sean Armstrong shot wide when it looked easier to score. At the other end Scates blasted a free Kick over the bar from 30 yards, a complete waste of time and Wardy appeared to be fouled in the box but referee Burns waved play on. In added time at the end of the first half United were indebted to keeper Murphy when he parried a goalbound shot from McAloran of Celtic and the ball was scrambled away to safety.

Celtic, not unsurprisingly I might say given their schedule over the last 7 days, seemed a bit sluggish in the second half and United weren't subjected to too much pressure despite the visitors having the elements in their favour. Having said that they did however carve out the best move of the match, when a poor United corner was turned into a counter attack and McAloran found Hamill with a delightful pass on the edge of the penalty box. The former United man hit the ball on the volley and unluckily for him United keeper Paul Murphy acrobatically turned his shot for a corner. United had a half chance to get something out of the game, when Brown dropped a Cushley corner, but the keeper redeemed himself by blocking a United shot in the mini-scramble that ensued. Manager Wright rang the changes over the last 20 minutes, with reserve striker and top scorer Randal Reid replacing Walsh, a strange move as Wardy was contributing nothing at this stage, a short time later Picking took Scates place and finally young Gareth McConaghie replaced the disappointing Cushley. McConaghie in my opinion looks like a surviver from Kenny Shiels time, a 'dinky' player, but lets give him time and maybe, just maybe, we'll be pleasantly surprised. United had one final chance to wrap up all three points, when Picking jinked past a couple of tiring defenders, but his 'scuffed' shot failed to trouble Brown in the visitors goal. All in all another disappointing result from the underperforming Sky Blues and a display like that against the Coleraine 'scum' will not be taken lightly by the home fans next Saturday. So be warned Tommy and get the message through to your team, you need to step up a gear next week, or, suffer the consequences!

Murphy 7 Aid Watson 6 MoM: P. Murphy

Wray 6 Walsh 6

McClean 6 Wardy 5

Haveron 7 Cushley 5 Referee: C. Burns 4

Alb Watson 6 1st Sub: Reid 6

Kelly 6 2nd Sub: Picking 6

Scates 5 3rd Sub: McConaghie 5