Blacked Out!

United's run of success faltered at wet and windy Ballyskeagh today, where there credentials were examined and found to be wanting. United turned out in their all Black strip, their colours as dark as the weather. Playing with the breeze at their back in the first period, they failed to capitalise on the chances that came their way, in fact a Kelbie snap shot early on, ably dealt with by keeper Matthews was as close as they came. The swirling breeze ruined the match as a spectacle and United seemed devoid of ideas on how to break the home side down. Halftime was reached with the scores still level and the Sky Blue faithful were hoping for better things from the second period.

Things in fact only got worse for United as striker Neal Teggart, didn't reappear for the second half, the victim of a shoulder injury. Wardy came on in his place, but for some reason United switched to a 4,5,1, formation, instead of sticking with 4,4,2, a real tactical mistake. Home manager Paul Kirk made a couple of changes in the 2nd period, bringing in striker Darren Armour, for the ineffective Gary Brown and bringing on Kingsberry on the right wing. Young United fullback Lee Colligan was not looking as sharp as in his previous two starts and the home team began to apply the pressure on their right flank. United spurned a great chance to take the lead when after a surging run, Liam Mullan chose to pass to Kelbie instead of going for goal himself. Kelbie to his credit, did manage to get a shot in, but Matthews at full stretch managed to push it for a corner. Stuarty King's corner came to nothing and in fact the home team set up an attack from it. The Whites won a free kick 20 yards from goal and United were indebted to keeper Blaney who managed to turn the ball for a corner. Alas he had only delayed the inevitable, as from the resultant corner the ball fell to the unmarked Brown and he drove it into the net, giving Blaney no chance. United took Mullan off with Picking taking his place, switching to 4,4,2, formation, but they still couldn't find the vital breakthrough. With the match drifting to a close they did have one last chance, but home substitute Kingsberry was on hand to clear a Stuarty King shot off the line, with a suspicion of handball. United huffed and puffed over the closing stages but were unable to break down the stubborn home defence and as a result they're still rooted at the bottom of the table.


Blaney 7 McDonnell 6 MoM: Alb Watson

Aid Watson 6 Teggart 6

Colligan 6 Kelbie 6

Haveron 7 Mullan 5 Referee: M. Courtenay 5

Alb Watson 7 1st Sub: Wardy 6

Melaugh 6 2nd Sub: Picking 6

King 5