King(dom) Come!

Omar in his column a couple of weeks ago intimated that United's failing this term was down to the lack of goals from midfield. What an inspiration the 'old guy' is, not only have United won their last two games, their much criticised midfield contributed three of the four goals scored. It was another goal from midfield that was enough to see off the 'hatchet men' tonight and the scorer was the irrepressible Stuarty King. The United manager in the absence of his two top strikers, Kelbie suspended and Teggart injured, began the game with Davitt Walsh and the revitalised David Cushley as his two strikers. The two United men were given little protection from referee Creaney, as Crues defenders Coates and former United player Gary Smyth were allowed to get away with blatant fouling by the referee. The United defensive tactic of three at the back was continued but Gav McDonnell and Archie Stewart were somewhat shaky throughout. United survived a couple of scares and the tough tackling Gary Haveron came to their rescue when the 'hatchet men' threatened their goal on a few occasions. Big Gary is really starting to play a Captain's part in the United line-up and his example to his fellow players is superb and his leadership qualities are coming to the fore. United were under pressure from long-throws and were lucky to survive on one occasion when the ball bounced in the six-yard box with the home players frozen stiff, but luckily the ball was headed over by visiting striker Mark (the ugly duckling) Dickson. The only goal of the game came after 34 minutes when Stuarty King's rasper from 25 yards took a slight deflection off a Crues player before finding the back of the net past the bemused Michael Keenan. This was a goal United deserved and they should've stretched their lead on the stroke of halftime, but Colligan and Melaugh got in each others way after Stuarty King delivered an inch perfect pass.

United continued to look dangerous on the break in the second-half, seemingly content to soak up the Crues pressure and then hit back. Crues manager Stephen Baxter made two changes at halftime, bringing on leftback McBride and another former United player Jamie Marks. The Crues kept up the pressure in the 2nd half, with long throws and high balls into the box, but in all fairness the United defence held firm ably marshalled by Tommy Wray and keeper Neal Blaney. Manager Walker took off his two strikers who were stretching the Crues defence fairly well despite the ludicrous offside decisions of the linesman at the Fisherwick end of the ground, midway through the half, with McNeill and Ward taking their place. A perfect illustration of this linesman's ineptitude occurred when Walsh broke from his own half but was then flagged by the official when he received the ball, it had to be seen to be believed I tell you. Only McNeill knows how he failed to get on the score-sheet, when after a good run down the right, Melaugh played a superb ball into the strikers path, but the keeper saved at the 2nd attempt, but in reality he shouldn't have had a prayer. The next time Melaugh attempted to burst through he was caught by a vicious tackle from Coates, who in my opinion should've drawn a straight red card, but got away with a caution. With time running out Melaugh burst through the middle once more and as he bore down on goal he was hacked down by former United player Marks, on the edge of the penalty box who was rightly red carded. The United fans wished Jamie a Merry Christmas as he left. Gary Haveron's free-kick cannoned off the woodwork of the goal and bounced to safety. Deep into stoppage time the visiting keeper got caught out of goal when making a clearance, but unfortunately Gary Haveron failed to spot the opening and United missed another chance to seal the points. During the 3 minutes of added time the Crues forced 3 corners in succession, but the home team deservedly held out for a narrow but thoroughly deserved victory.


Blaney 8 Melaugh 7 MoM: King

Wray 8 Walsh 7

Colligan 8 Cushley 7

Haveron 8 King 8 Referee: S. Creaney 3

Gav McDonnell 5 1st Sub: McNeill 6

Stewart 6 2nd Sub: Ward 6

Aid Watson 8