Long Drawn!

Like last Saturday's game at Ballyskeagh, this one had one goal written all over it. It wasn't that Cliftonville and Ballymena weren't putting in the effort, it just was one of those games where defences were largely on top and the surface wasn't conducive to good football. Cliftonville have built a new stand at the 'home' end of the ground, constructed toilets at the away end, but have neglected the most important part the playing surface. United began the game with one man back after injury, one back after being 'rested' and one back after suspension. Gary Haveron returned after serving a one game suspension, Neal Teggart returned after injury and Liam Mullen after being rested. Alongside Gary at central defence was the forgotten man, Gavin McDonnell, getting a recall in place of the injured Albert Watson, the rest of the team were unchanged. To say I didn't see much of United's forward play in the first period is to make a gross understatement. We were so far away from the goal the home team were defending that we would've needed binoculars to keep track of the action. Former player Dessie Loughrey didn't take long to get 'in our bad books', giving a couple of dodgy decisions to the home team. There wasn't much between the teams in the first half although United were subjected to a wee bit of pressure, when the home team forced a couple of corners, luckily for United their shooting was nothing special. At the other end Stuarty King should've at least forced their keeper to make a save when he broke through, but his shot screwed well wide of the goals. Teggart also done well down the right, getting a cross into the box, but Kelbie's shot was easily saved by Red's keeper Connolly. Halftime was reached with the teams all square and we hoped for better in the 2nd period.

United began the 2nd half in a more determined mood and were denied a 'cast iron' penalty when after Kelbie chested a through pass down, central defender O'Hara put his shoulder into the United striker's back flooring him in the process. Referee Loughrey indicated that in his opinion it was shoulder to shoulder, come on Dessie, who do you think you're kidding? United kept up the pressure and in the best move of the game, Gavin Melaugh took a return pass from Kelbie, before firing a crisp shot goalwards, only for Connolly to make an acrobatic save. Then Joe McDonnell blazed wildly over the bar when the ball was laid back to him on the edge of the box. At the other end United had a narrow escape when a Scanlon shot hit the post when it looked easier to score. With 15 minutes remaining the home team made a couple of changes taking off Conor Downey and Rory Hamill and laid siege to United's goal. We rode our luck at this stage and got away with a couple of rash tackles in the box and seemed unable to relieve the pressure as the home team were picking up every loose ball. During this time Gavin and Gary kept their cool ably abetted by Aiden and Lee, keeping the home team at bay. The home team did manage to get the ball in the net, but it was 'ruled' out for a foul on the keeper, I have my doubts, it looked to me like he dropped it. Aiden Watson went off injured with 5 minutes remaning with Tommy Wray taking his place and with the match drifting into stoppage time, Stuarty King was replaced by Paul McNeill. In the end United held out for a point, better than nothing I suppose, but still seeking that elusive 2nd league win!


Blaney 7 Joe McDonell 6 MoM: Haveron

Aid Watson 7 Teggart 7

Colligan 7 Kelbie 7

Haveron 8 King 6 Referee: D. Loughrey 4

Gav McDonnell 7 1st Sub: Wray 6

Melaugh 7 2nd Sub: McNeill 6

Mullen 6