Super Stuarty

United managed a vital point in today's game, with a goal set up by one of their most maligned players, Stuarty King. Stuarty is one of those frustrating players, you always have a sense of optimism when he gets the ball, but for the most part he only flatters to deceive. For 58 minutes today he was his usual self, threatening to deliver a good cross, or a dangerous ball from a free kick or corner, but not quite managing it. But he came good in the end, leaving Glen's fullback Jason Hill for dead, cutting into the box along the by-line, before pulling the ball back for Kevin Kelbie to drill the ball past Elliot Morris for a richly deserved equaliser. United took the field today, with Albert Watson (we got the wrong end of the stick, as did the press)much to my surprise as I thought he was suspended (it was Aiden Watson who was missing due to suspension) and in his place was new signing Thomas Burke. Liam Mullan returned in place of the injured Craiggers McClean, but the rest of the United team remained the same, which meant young Aaron Stewart remained on the bench, along with Wardy, Walsh, Getty and Cushley. United started better than last week against the Blues and gave as good as they got in the early exchanges, but I was a wee bit anxious as the linesman at the Fisherwick end missed two blatant offsides, which luckily came to nothing. He also gave the visitors a couple of free kicks for what can best be described as innocuous tackles.Gary Hamilton was as tricky as ever and undone the United defence with neat move, but luckily his screw back pass was too good for everybody. Glentoran midfielder McCabe demonstrated that he has lost none of his 'gaelic' skills, with two deliberate handballs in the space of 2 minutes and was rightly booked, but not for the handballs, just for kicking the ball away. The linesman at the Fisherwick end missed another offside and Halliday sprinted clear looking likely to score. United keeper Alan Blaney advanced from his goal and bravely dived at the strikers feet, just managing to get a touch to the ball. Halliday, with whom the keeper made minimal contact went down like a 'ton of bricks', but referee Crangle waved play on, a proper decision in my book. United's Gavin Melaugh picked up a foolish caution for 'kicking the ball away' after he had been somewhat harshly penalised for a foul. The half ended with United almost breaking the deadlock, when in the best move of the first period, Mullan and Teggart combined well before playing in Kelbie's and his snap shot appeared to skim the crossbar.

United were caught cold a minute into the 2nd period, when after Mullan gave away a silly free kick on the left flank, Hamilton took the kick before the United defence were organised and Scullion, looking suspiciously offside volleyed the ball past the stranded Blaney. United were shell-shocked and protested that the referee hadn't signalled for the kick to be taken, but the referee would have none of it and the goal stood. The Sky Blues to their credit didn't take this lying down and stepped up the tempo but it was obvious it was going to take a bit of 'magic' to unlock the Glens defence. That magic was provided by the least obvious source, Stuarty King, who set up Kevin Kelbie for his fifth goal this term, with a piece of classic wing play. United were 'cock a hoop' now and looked the most likely team to grab all three points. Manager Roy Walker showed his anger when Neal Teggart was cautioned for dissent and then watched as Glens substitute Taylor came in with 'studs' showing, but no action taken by the referee. With 15 minutes left Mullan was replaced by Wardy and he was unceremoniously tripped by Taylor as he sprinted clear, again no action from the referee. Up stepped United Captain Gary Haveron, but his free kick sailed aimlessly over the bar, what a waste in my book. Neal Teggart saw a header cleared off the line, after a 'rare good' corner from Stuarty, was headed back across goal by the same Gary Haveron. Glens substitute Taylor was determined to put his 'mark' on this game (or on Mike Ward at any rate) and he duly succeeded when he elbowed the United player, in full view of the linesman, who somehow missed the incident completely, nothing new there then. Wardy had to come off with blood streaming down his face, the 2nd time in 3 games that United had to substitute a substitute because of a head injury, with Davitt Walsh taking his place. During the three minutes of added time United had one last chance with a corner from the right, but Gary Haveron's header was saved by Glens keeper Elliot Morris. United, who were called into the middle by manager Roy walker for a 'huddle', trooped off to tumultuous applause, for a well deserved point!

Blaney 7 Melaugh 7 MoM: Haveron

Burke 7 Teggart 7

Colligan 7 Kelbie 7

Haveron 8 Mullan 6 Referee: R. Crangle 5

Alb Watson 8 1st Sub: Wardy 7

McDonnell 6 2nd Sub: Walsh 7

King 7