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