Sweet Sorrow!

The main talking point after yesterday's first victory of the season and the first over Linfield for 10 years, was not about United's stunning and comprehensive display, but about the sad news that young defender Aaron Stewart's mother had died in a car crash earlier that day. As United manager Roy Walker emotionally said on the radio, he'd gladly give back the three points if this heartbreaking event could be undone, the Sky Blue Sport's team would heartily endorse those sentiments, wins in these circumstances are indeed bitter sweet. In a somewhat macabre twist young Aaron was featured in the club programme yesterday and when asked who had been the greatest influence on his career, he replied my mum and dad. His dad is of course Alfie Stewart and is well known to most Irish league fans as a 'classy' defender at Portadown, Coleraine and latterly at Ballymena, where he is now reserve team manager. Aaron's mum was bringing him to the game yesterday at the time of the unfortunate accident and when this game is discussed, as it will be many times in the coming years, there'll always be a sad reflection on the untimely death of a loved wife and mother. Sky Blue Sport would like to offer our sincere and heartfelt sympathies to Aaron, Alfie and the family circle, you are all in our thoughts at this sad time.

United took the field with a strange looking combination yesterday, no doubt somewhat changed by the unfortunate car accident that young defender Aaron Stewart was involved in and leaving United with only four subs as a consequence. With the unavailability of leftback Liam Hogan, due to injury, teenage reserve player Lee Colligan started the game in that position. Young Lee had had the distinction of coming on as a sub at Coleraine last week, being on the field for 2 minutes, getting a kick from a 'scum' player in the mouth (missed by referee Turkington and his officials, not surprisingly I hasten to add) and having to be substituted himself. Versatile Captain Gary Haveron slotted into central defence which meant a recall for Joe McDonnell in central midfield. Craig McLean returned from injury in an unfamiliar left midfield role, replacing the unavailable Liam Mullan, with Stuarty King (superman) on the right. Kevin Kelbie, who had been somewhat isolated on the left-wing last week, played just behind lone target man Neal Teggart in attack. Linfield, who won the toss, laid siege to the United goal early on and keeper Neal Blayney, much criticised by myself and many others on earlier performances, pulled off a couple of good saves, but was relieved to see a Ferguson free kick, flash past the post. Ahoghill native Stephen Douglas was causing United concern with his long throws and Blayney had a wee break when he came for one, fumbled it, but managed to recover the ball, a collective sigh of relief from the United fans, well me anyway. After 15 minutes of relentless pressure, the beleaguered United defence got a breather when the Sky Blues began to find their rhythm especially down the left flank, through Colligan (who is no mean long throw expert himself) and Craiggers McClean. Despite forcing several corners, United were unable to trouble former keeper Stuart Addis and Stuarty King's delivery has to be called into question here. Former manager Tommy Wright, used Craiggers for corners from the right side and Gavin Melaugh from the left last season and I believe this would prove a better option for United. Linfield had a 'good shout' for a penalty, waved away by referee Black, who had earlier booked tigerish United rightback Aiden Watson, who was once more having a marvellous game, popping up wherever he was needed. A Ferguson shot cannoned off the crossbar, much to the relief of Blayney and his defenders, but it was United who were starting to dictate the pace of the game. With 30 minutes on the clock, United broke the deadlock with a great bit of football up their left flank. Colligan and McClean exchanged passes, Lee fed Teggart, he laid the ball into Kelbie's path and the United striker unleashed a vicious left foot shot that gave Addis no chance as it swept past him into the net. What a celebration for the home fans and how ironic that the scorer should be Kelbie, the subject of a demeaning bid by Linfield 'bigot' David Jeffrey in the close season. Linfield tried to get back on terms, but United, despite being under pressure, were full of belief and in a typical move Kelbie ran up the left flank, courtesy of a Colligan long throw and Joe McDonnell just failed to get the vital touch to his deep cross at the far post. United came off to thunderous applause at halftime and I could hardly wait for the restart.

Linfield as expected came out with more purpose in the second half but the best chance fell to United when Kelbie waltzed past their sluggish central defenders (rumour has that Bailie and Murphy have a combined age of 83), but somehow screwed his shot wide, when it looked easier to score. The United defence, with captain courageous Gary Haveron and Albert Watson in top form were under a lot of pressure, but coped fairly well for the most part. The United fans were relieved to see the man known familiarly to them as the 'animal', Paul McAreavy and Stephen(you couldn't score in Ahoghill)Douglas being substituted by the visitors. One of the Blues subs, a redhead called Stephen Garret's first meaningful contribution was to be pulled up for a foul throw, a prudent welcome to the Showgrounds for young Garret. United were indebted to the woodwork once more, when a shot from Linfield's best player, Carvill came off the post. Kelbie almost secured the points when he waltzed past the static Linfield defence on the right wing, cut along the by-line and his right-foot shot was luckily pushed past the post by pensioner(Wanker),sorry Winky, Murphy, for a better if still fruitless corner taken by King. The limping Craiggers was replaced by Wardy, who switched wings with King and suddenly United really sprung to life with Wardy giving Blues defender Aiden O'Kane a torrid time on the right flank. Twice the tiny striker eluded his marker and flashed inviting crosses into the visitors box, but unfortunately no United player could get on the end of them. In a last throw of the dice, Jeffrey took off his 'best player' Carvill, with the 'Halloween man', Paul Munster taking his place. Lee Colligan picked up a somewhat harsh booking when a Linfield player took a flying dive to a late, but not malicious tackle. Stuarty King made way for David Cushley and in the 83rd minute United finally sealed the points with another great move, this time down the right. Wardy, Aiden Watson and Kelbie, seemed to be toying with Linfield's ageing and creaking central defenders before Kelbie ghosted past them to unleash a curling left foot shot which Addis could only help into the net. To say the United fans were delirious, was to make a vast understatement, I personally haven't been so happy since David Healy scored against England at Windsor Park. Shortly afterwards Kelbie was substituted to resounding applause, not just by the home crowd but by Linfield fans as well, no doubt they still hope to lay their 'hands on him', on this display they'd need to at least treble their bid I think. Despite the added 3 minutes of time United ran out worthy winners for their first league win of the season and hopefully the first of many. It was just a pity that the win came at the expense of such sad news, I suppose it just brings things into perspective, football is just a game after all, there 'are' more important things in life!


Blayney 8 Melaugh 8 MoM: Kelbie

Aid Watson 9 Teggart 8

Colligan 9 Kelbie 9

Haveron 8 King 7 Referee: A. Black 4

Alb Watson 8 1st Subs: Wardy 8

Joe McDonnell 8 2nd Sub: Cushley 7

McClean 8 3rd Sub: Getty 7