Kelbie Rules!

United striker Kevin Kelbie played a Captains part at the Oval tonight, where United outplayed the league champions. The United defence were outstanding, ably led by Albert Watson, who completely snuffed out danger man Gary Hamilton and Mark Surgenor who improves with every game. Add to that fullbacks Lee Colligan and Michael Smith, who despite at times having to do some backs to the wall defending, still found time to stretch the home defence with their overlapping wing-back play. The midfield four of Anderson, Lockhart, Carson and Cushley battled hard and took the honours in midfield, while upfront Andy Smith was at his devilish best, a constant thorn in the flesh to the aged Leeman. Then of course there was King Kevin, who generally reserves his best displays for the Oval and tonight was no exception. United dominated the first half, without getting a clear cut chance but Cushley managed one shot on target from long range. Debutant goalkeeper, Aaron Kerr had a steadying influence at the back and dealt capably with everything that came at him. So halftime was reached with the game still scoreless but not hopeless.

United were a wee bit slow out of the blocks in the 2nd half and found themselves under pressure, but they weathered the storm and finally began to open up the home defence once more. Kelbie, subjected home defender Taylor to some pressure and he conceded a needless throw-in and from the resultant throw, Kelbie chested the ball to Cushley and his 25 yard pile-driver was turned over the bar by home keeper Morris. Carson swung in a beauty from the right and Anderson was unlucky to see his shot saved once more by Morris. Andy Smith then wriggled to the byline and put a cross onto Kelbie's head but the striker failed to find the target, a bad miss. Then in the 66th minute Smith laid the ball into Kelbie's path and he drilled a left foot shot into the corner of the net from 20 yards to give Elliot no chance. As the Glens sacrificed a defender for a striker, United manager Roy Walker took Cushley off with the speedy Ormo taking his place. Andy Smith was out of luck soon after when his audacious chip just cleared the crossbar. After a spell of home pressure, the ball was passed to Ormo, who drifted past two static Glen-men, before laying the ball into the industrious Carson, who swept it into Kelbie's path and he sprinted goalwards before drilling a left foot shot past the stranded Morris. United made two more changes soon after, firstly Carson was replaced by Archie Stewart, as the home team went with four strikers and then Anderson was replaced by Taggart. Despite 5 minutes of stoppage time, it looked like United would hold out but in the 6th minute of stoppage time they finally got a goal back with a header from defender Taylor. After another two minutes the referee finally blew his whistle and United had at last recorded a victory and one that was oh so sweet!


Kerr (8), M. Smith (8), Colligan (8), Surgenor (8), Alb. Watson (8), Lockhart (80). Carson (8), (Sub: A. Stewart, 8), Anderson (8), (Sub: Taggart 8), Cushley (8), (Sub: Ormo 8), A. Smith (8), Kelbie (8),

Man of the match: Kevin Kelbie