Drawn Conclusions!

United manager made a couple of changes to his starting line-up tonight at Newry, with central defender Gavin McDonnell, teaming up alongside United Captain Albert Watson, which in turn released Gary Haveron into a central midfield role. Winger McGinley and striker Kelbie were both rested, which meant veteran Peter Kennedy switching to left-midfield and Stuarty King taking up the right-side berth, while Davitt Walsh was recalled upfront alongside Neal Teggart. United started brightly forcing a couple of fruitless corners, but it was the home team who took the lead with just 8 minutes on the clock. Albert failed to get his head to a through ball and striker Garrett, somehow eluded Gav McDonnell to slide the ball past goalkeeper Blaney. As United attempted to get back in the game the home team reverted to some strong and foul tackling which referee Moutray allowed to go unpunished, with one particular over the top foul on United striker Walsh, bringing howls of derision from the small crowd of United fans. Referee Moutray failed to caution the Newry player and United's free-kick was hit over the bar by Kennedy. Then in the 22nd minute a through ball from Haveron was controlled by Teggart before he curled a delightful shot past former United keeper, Paul Murphy to level the scores at one apiece. United had 'their tails up' at this time and subjected the home team to some fierce pressure, forcing 8 corners but to no avail. Former Newry player Joe McDonnell latched on to another Haveron pass and even though he beat keeper Murphy to it he was unable to turn it goalwards. Yet another free-kick was hit over the bar, this time by Haveron and then Walsh picked up a booking for a late tackle, which seemed somewhat harsh after what the home team had got 'away' with. With halftime approaching, a Stuarty King inswinger from the right was headed powerfully goalwards by Watson, but the ball struck the post and Walsh's rebound bounced off McDonnell to safety.

The home team stepped up the pace in the second half and United clung on desperately, with goalkeeper Blaney making a couple of good stops in the process. The home manager rang the changes bringing on all his subs, but United manager Walker persisted with what he had. Joe McDonnell almost repaid his manager's faith, but he failed to find the target from a Walsh pass, when he shot hurriedly, instead of biding his time. Shortly afterwards he became the 2nd United player to be cautioned when he tugged the shirt of an opponent after he lost possession. During a spell of Newry pressure, there was an ugly incident, where first United fullback Tommy Wray appeared to 'clean' a home player and then a home player went in 'over the top' on Stuarty King, the referee's decision, a throw-in to United. After three failed attempts Stuarty King finally delivered a 'good' corner and Gary Haveron headed United into the lead with 10 minutes remaining. The remainder of the game was a 'backs to the wall' defence by United and they paid the ultimate price in the 90th minute. They conceded a free-kick wide on their left flank and when the cross came in Mickey Collins was allowed a free header and the ball fell to midfielder Clarke and he drove the ball high into the corner of the net. This was a body blow to the United defence, but in the end we had paid the price for our missed chances and I think a draw was a fair result!

Blaney 6 Kennedy 6 MoM: Haveron

Wray 6 Joe McDonnell 6

McClean 6 Teggart 7

Haveron 8 Walsh 7 Referee: T. Moutray 3

Watson 6 King 8

Gav McDonnell 7