Far Away!

That promising second half display against Glentoran last Tuesday night, was yet another 'false dawn', for this struggling United team. The fact that United went in at halftime only one goal down, was more to do with good luck, than good defending by the Sky Blues team. In fact if Bangor had been leading by three clear goals, there could've been no complaint from the pathetic home defence. Time and time again the visitors carved out opening for themselves, but some bad finishing and a bit of good goalkeeping managed to keep the scores level until almost the stroke of halftime. Bangor won a free kick on the edge of United's penalty area and when the cross came in centre half Fitzpatrick rose high above the static home defence to head his side into a one goal lead. One of the most 'galling' things from the point of view of United fans was the sight of former fullback Nigel Boyd, sprinting up and down the visitors left flank. Remember this was the man discarded by former United manager Tommy Wright and released at the start of this season, yet another 'gaffe' by the former United boss.

United to their credit came out with a renewed vigour and got their reward ten minutes into the second half. Firstly manager Roy Walker substituted Michael Ward with Mark Picking taking his place 8 minutes into the half and then 2 minutes later they squared things up. Kevin Kelbie, sprinted down the right before delivering a cross to the far post, where Liam Mullan shot home from an acute angle, to bring the scores level. United then went through a period of dominance and Kelbie was unlucky to see keeper Plummer block his shot with his knee. Next it was top scorer Neal Taggert who shot straight at the keeper when it looked easier to score. United wasted a couple of free kicks and then were hit with a 'killer' blow. Aiden Watson, who otherwise had a good game, failed to track back when a Bangor player made a run down the right, missed his tackle completely and the player squared the ball to Marty Verner who rifled it into the net to give his team the lead. United threw caution to the wind in the last 10 minutes, taking off first Aiden Watson, with Stuarty King taking his place and then bringing on Davitt Walsh at the expense of Tommy Wray. But it was all to no avail and United had tumbled to their 7th league defeat and their 5th in a row. Things don't look any easier in our next 5 games as United travel to Coleraine next Saturday, before entertaining Linfield and Glentoran and then two away games to Lisburn Distillery and Cliftonville. Times are tough, so it's time for the 'toughs', to get going!

O'Neill 7 Aid Watson 6 MoM: O'Neill

Wray 5 Taggert 5

Stewart 6 Kelbie 6

Haveron 5 Mullan 6 referee: M.Courtenay 4

Alb Watson 6 1st Sub: Picking 5

Melaugh 5 2nd Sub: King 4

Ward 4 3rd Sub: Walsh 5