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