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United manager Roy Walker made 3 changes to his back four today, out went regular fullbacks Wray and McClean and in came Liam Hogan at leftback with Albert Watson switching to rightback and Gary Haveron dropping back to partner Gav McDonnell at the centre of defence. The midfield was made up of, McGinley, Aiden Watson, Gavin Melaugh and Stuarty King, with Kelbie and Teggart as the strike force. United struggled to master the bumpy pitch, but that was in my opinion no excuse for both McGinley and King to never manage a cross worthy of the name in the first period. in fact it was Kevin Kelbie who showed the way with a low pass into Teggart's path, but a 'Stute defender saved the day with a timely tackle. Kelbie burst onto a through ball, only to be obstructed by a home defender, but home keeper Dougherty made a good save with his feet. The play though was called back to where the foul was committed and Gary Haveron's goalbound shot was blatantly handled by a home player. United player Stuarty King protested so vehemently that he picked up a caution, pity he didn't show as much passion in his play. Half-time was reached with the scores locked at 1-1 and the half-time chat was mainly about the inept performance of referee Crangle and United's inept players.

Eight minutes into the second half United took the lead when Kelbie fastened onto an Aiden Watson through ball, rounded the keeper and scored from an acute angle. 5 Minutes later he failed to deliver a cross from the right with Teggart waiting in vain, as Kevin blasted the ball wide. Shortly after he had been booked by referee Crangle, McGinley made way for Mark Picking and United then began to look more menacing. Still they couldn't prise open the home defence and at the other end Blaney made a good save from a point blank shot. The home team were bombarding United with long high balls and this ploy paid off after 75 minutes when, McDonnell missed a header and suddenly home player Mooney burst through, rounded Blaney and tied the scores at 1-1. Three minutes later the home team were reduced to 10 men when former United player Rory McClean reacted badly to a legitimate tackle by United's Aiden Watson and was rightly red carded. To the complete astonishment of the United players and supporters Watson was cautioned as well, becoming the 4th United player to pick up a caution on the day. United had another claim for a penalty turned down when a home defender parried a goalbound shot, but in all honesty we didn't really deserve to win. Manager Roy Walker will need all his guile if he's to mastermind a victory for United when they visit the Oval for a County Antrim Shield game on Tuesday, all I can say is, rather him than me!


Blaney 6 Melaugh 6 MoM: Aid Watson

Alb Watson 5 Teggart 5

Hogan 6 Kelbie 7

Aid Watson 7 King 4 Referee: R. Crawley 3

Gav McDonnell 6 1st Sub: M. Picking 6

Haveron 6 2nd Sub: Joe McDonnell 5

McGinley 4