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