Winning Ugly!

United beat Bangor in their quest for Premiership survival, without ever being overly impressive. Manager Roy Walker selected the same eleven as started last Saturday's match and it was obvious from the start that Nathan McConnell's former team mate Darren Lockhart was determined to upset the United striker. Referee Davey Malcolm chose to talk to both players when after Lockhart swung a punch, Nathan went down rather histrionically. Yes McConnell did 'make a meal' of the challenge, but the punch was thrown just the same. As the players lined up once more McConnell lashed out at Lockhart and promptly got himself booked. United took the lead after 20 minutes when a clever Kelbie free kick was flicked on by Wardy and Paul Muir was on hand to flick the ball into the net with his right foot. Bangor attempted to get back on terms and United were indebted to keeper Alan Blaney for a smart save from former United player Dominic Melly. During this spell of pressure young fullback Michael Smith demonstrated what a good signing he was with some incisive tackling. Kelbie almost doubled United's lead when after a through ball from Colligan his shot ricocheted off McConnell's legs for a goal kick. Halftime was reached with United still leading one nil and I hoped for something better in the second half.

Nathan McConnell didn't appear for the 2nd half with Davitt Walsh substituting and suddenly United looked a bit slicker. Bangor were dangerous on the breaks and United were at times a bit casual. The points were virtually sealed 12 minutes into the 2nd period, when after a nice dribble from Kelbie, visiting keeper Brown could only parry the striker's shot and the 'lurking' Cushley hammered the rebound into the net to give the home team a 2 goal cushion. This was almost reduced 5 minutes later when the United defence allowed Melly a free header and Blayney was relieved to see the ball rebound to safety via a post. Wardy made way for Albert Watson with United reverting to a 3,5, 2 formation. This was obviously a 'what we have we hold' statement from the United management, but in a last throw of the dice Magill came on to replace Cushley. Young Smith almost broke his United scoring duck first with a free kick from 20 yards that Brown just tipped over and then a rasping left foot shot as he cut in, which just grazed the crossbar. Kevin Kelbie went too soon for an Aiden Watson through pass and when the linesman's flag was rightly raised, he petulantly kicked the ball away winning himself a needless yellow card. Despite some valiant efforts neither team was able to add to the scoring and United held out for three vital points as two of the teams below them lost ground with defeats. They are now into 8th position, still with an outside chance of making the top six and facing a crunch match with Glenavon next Saturday, but for the next 8 days, let's just savour the three points earned tonight!


Blayney 7 Aid Watson 7 MoM: Smith

Smith 8 McConnell 5

Colligan 6 Kelbie 7

Wray 7 Cushley 7 Referee: D. Malcolm 4

McDonnell 7 1st Sub: Walsh 7

Muir 7 2nd Sub: Alb Watson 6

Wardy 6 3rd Sub: Magill 6