Dee Ceed!

The common name for Donegal Celtic in West Belfast is D.C. and tonight at their home ground they were well and truly Dee Ceed by United's own D.C. the irrepressible David Cushley. Two goals from Cushley, one a typical left foot shot, the other a rare headed effort helped United to a fairly comprehensive 4-1 win. This potential 'banana skin' was finally brushed aside in the 2nd minute of stoppage time, but it was much closer than the scoreline suggests.
Sean O'Neill got the nod for the keepers jersey but I don't think he'll cause Dwayne Nelson too many sleepless nights after this unimpressive display. Darren 'Mr versatile' Lockhart played central defence alongside Archie in the absence of Albert, Surgenor and Muir. Which meant Noel Anderson and Gavin Taggart getting central midfield roles, Cushley on the left, with first Kevin and then later Andy, providing the link between midfield and attack with crowd favourite Nathan McConnell leading the line.
United survived a couple of scares by the home team and then took the lead after 17 minutes when a deflected Kelbie cross found the head of the unmarked Cush and he headed United into the lead. United survived more pressure from the home team and messed up a couple of times themselves before their lead was doubled 5 minutes from halftime. Noel Anderson's forward pass ricocheted back into his path and he hit a powerful shot from 18 yards to to put the Sky Blues two up.

United appeared to seal the game when they scored for a third time just 7 minutes into the 2nd half, after probably the best build-up of the entire 90 minutes. Michael Smith and Kelbie played some nice touches down the right and the fullback's cross was just palmed away by the home keeper. Andy Smith, just like the predator he is returned the ball into Cushley's path and the winger despatched a left foot shoot which bounced off a post to put United 3 up and coasting.
There's an old saying 'that you're at your most vulnerable when things look to be going swimmingly! Tonight was no exception as United conceded a 'soft' penalty when a home player 'took a dive' in the penalty box and the referee awarded the penalty, just like that. The penalty was duly scored and the Sky Blues were suddenly not as comfortable and the team looked edgy. Their edginess was not improved by some poor keeping by O'Neill who flapped at a couple of crosses and generally kept the fans on tenterhooks.
The United manager rung the changes over the closing minutes with Andy Smith, McConnell, and Cushley making way for Aid Watson, Ormo and Paul McNeill. With the match into stoppage time Kelbie laid the ball into Taggart's path and the young man drilled it into the net to give the visitors a comprehensive, if somewhat flattering victory!

O'Neill, (5) M. Smith (7), Colligan (7), Lockhart (8), Archie (7), Anderson (7), Taggart (7), Cushley (7), (Sub: Ormo 6), A. Smith (6), (Sub: Aid Watson 6), Kelbie (6), McConnell (7), (Sub: McNeil 6) Man of the match: Darren Lockhart

Caught Cold!

Referee Adrian McCourt, who famously gave Larne a penalty in an Irish cup semi-final against United when there was no contact, today denied us four blatant spot kicks. There were three hand balls, one of which was punched over the dead ball line and the referee, as if to add insult to injury, actually gave us a corner. Then there was the blatant foul on Noel Anderson inside the box again ignored by the referee. That said and done United had enough chances to win this game, but as usual they didn't take them and paid the ultimate price. Andy Smith broke the offside trap on one occasion but was easily caught by the creaking Linfield defence and his cross was easily collected by former United keeper Alan Blayney. David Cushley also missed a glorious chance when he shot straight at Blayney when a shot either side would surely have brought a goal. Little was seen of the home side, but when they did manage an attack they found the United defence, ably led by Albert Watson in tip top form. United manager Roy Walker had made three changes to his starting line-up bringing in Kelbie, Anderson and Ormo and Kelbie should have done better, when after cutting inside, he failed to trouble Blayney with a wide shot. Referee McCourt seemed reluctant to caution home players for heavy tackles and Michael Gault epitomised this, getting away with three heavy foul tackles without punishment. he finally found his way into the referee's book when he cleaned Albert Watson in a carbon copy of an earlier foul on Noel Anderson. Albert was off the field for 4 minutes and during this time the home team almost grabbed an undeserved goal. Linfield forward McHugh was given space to turn in the box and his vicious shot was pushed onto the bar by Nelson in the United goal and the ball luckily dropped into his arms. Albert came back on for the 2 minutes of stoppage time and the match was scoreless at the break.

Linfield manager, David 'the fat controller' Jeffreys, used all his subs at the start of the second half, a sign of desperation I thought. Three minuted into the second period United spurned a great chance to take the lead, when after a corner to the home team Andy Smith sent Ormo free and after he outfoxed his marker he attempted to take the ball round Blayney, but the keeper got a hand to it and the chance was lost, a bad, bad, miss. Soon after this Albert Watson was blatantly elbowed in front of the referee and had to be helped from the pitch. Not only was no action taken against the culprit, in fact we didn't even get a foul. This meant Mark Surgenor coming on and the United defensive machine went badly into decline. With an average age of twenty-one, I suppose it was asking a lot of our defence to continue the good work of the first half, but as the old saying goes, 'when the going gets tough, the tough get going', but in our case they didn't. After a couple of close shaves when we inextricably left our keeper to deal with marauding home forwards, the breakthrough finally came. Substitute Miskimmon found himself in acres of space and was given time to pull the ball down before thumping it past the static Nelson to put the home side ahead. Manager Walker took off the disappointing Ormo and bringing on McConnell, with Andy Smith dropping back to wide midfield, but United were a spent force by this stage. In a last throw of the dice Anderson made way for Aiden Watson and despite forcing several corners United couldn't find the key to unlock the home defence. During the added time, allegedly four minutes (although only 3 minutes and 25 seconds were played), United spurned another chance to get a point, when Darren Lockhart of all people completely miscued from 8 yards with the goal at his mercy. Referee McCourt blew for time almost immediately not wanting to incur the wrath of his I.F.A.(Linfield)bosses and United had lost yet again.


Nelson (6), M. Smith (6), Colligan (7), A. Stewart (7), A. Watson (8), (Sub: Surgenor, 5), Ormo (5), (Sub: McConnell, 6), Anderson (7), (Sub: A. Watson, 6), D. Lockhart (8), A. Smith (6), Kelbie (6)

Man of the match: Albert Watson

Deed Done!

Last night in Sky Blue Sport news we were hoping United could 'down the Ports', after today's encounter, it's a case of deed done. A classic this game was not, it was all guts and thunder and referee Keith Halliday was hard pressed to keep abreast of every incident in what can best be described as a brutal game. Chances were few and far between, although the visitors did force quite a few corners and long throw-ins by defender Hunter also put the United defence under severe pressure. Manager Roy walker gave the thumbs up to the same eleven as started at Ballyskeagh on Tuesday night, which meant a place on the bench for top scorer Kevin Kelbie. Persistent fouling by the visitors brought them a couple of bookings and despite them carving out some useful openings keeper Nelson dealt capably with all that came his way. The two teams looked evenly matched and it was hard to see where a spark of inspiration was going to come from. Young Georgie boy almost broke the stalemate but his jinxing 50 yard dribble ended with him blasting the ball harmlessly over the bar. With 44 minutes elapsed the game sprang to life when Portadown winger Boyle threw his shoulder into United's Phillip Carson after a midfield tangle and Carson defended himself. Referee Halliday gave them both their marching orders and from the resultant free kick United's David Cushley left visiting keeper Miskimmon grasping at thin air after a thunderbolt right foot shot from 40 yards. The United fans were on their feet applauding the mercurial Cushley who notched the opening goal for the 2nd game in succession. There was even time for another visiting player to get cautioned before the halftime whistle.

United manager Roy Walker made a strange halftime substitution, taking off Georgie boy and bringing on Kelbie, which left us with a strange 4,2,3 combination which surrendered midfield to the visitors. The Ports duly stepped up the pressure and the United defence was subjected to some heavy pressure and at least twice had to clear the ball from their goal-line. United were dangerous on the break and Cushley now playing down the middle was unlucky to see another thunderbolt crash off the crossbar with Miskimmon helpless. Twenty minutes into the half manager Walker finally acted taking off McConnell (to a rare standing ovation) and bringing on defender Surgenor who slipped into midfield. This formation was soon changed with Archie going to left back, therefore releasing Colligan into midfield and Surgenor into the back four. Colligan almost put the game beyond the visitors but his left foot shot after good work by Cushley, crashed off the post with Miskimmon beaten all ends up once more. United were then made to pay for their benevolence when after Andy Smith lost possession, the home defence was undone by a slick passing move and before the defence could react the visitors levelled the score. With the clock ticking down Portadown player Richard Clarke scythed Cushley needlessly drawing a 2nd yellow card and an early bath. Colligan then saw yet another shot crash off the woodwork after being released down the left, before playing a vital part in the clinching finale. Collecting the ball in his own half he exchanged passes with Darren Lockhart before laying the ball onto Kelbie's toe. United's talisman cur inside before bending a left foot shot past Miskimmon and into the net to bring the Showgrounds crowd to their collective feet. That goal came in the 89th minute and with only 2 minutes added on there was barely time for Cushley to be applauded off to be replaced by Aiden Watson. Despite a late surge by the visitors the home team held out for a deserved victory, our 1st at home in the league, let's hope it's the first of many!


Nelson (8), M. Smith (7), Colligan (8), Alb Watson (8), A. Stewart (7), G. Stewart (6) (Sub: Kelbie 7), Carson (5), Lockhart (7), Cushley (8), (Sub: Aid Watson 6), A. Smith (6), McConnell (7) (Sub: Surgenor 6).

Man of the match: David Cushley

Three Points!

The title just about sums up this bottom of the table clash between United and Distillery, as a classic it was not. Manager Roy Walker decided to make 3 changes from his starting 11 of last Saturday, one of them forced upon him with the absence through injury of star striker Kevin Kelbie. Archie Stewart replaced Mark Surgenor alongside Albert Watson, while young winger Georgie 'boy' Stewart got the nod ahead of Taggart in midfield, while upfront Nathan McConnell replaced the injured Kelbie. The home team left no doubt as to their tactics as they pounded the United defence with long balls from the outset, while constantly subjecting them to niggly fouls when they attempted to break out themselves. As a result the match was devoid of good football but maybe that worked in our favour as when we did manage to play a bit the home team had no answer. United broke the deadlock midway through the half, when Georgie and Andy combined out on the right and the wee wingers cross was cushioned into Cushley's path by McConnell and the stocky Cushley volleyed the ball past Matthews with a crisp right foot shot. Former Linfield striker Glenn Ferguson attempted to catch Nelson napping from the centre with a fifty yard shot, but the United keeper made sure he covered his angles and the ball cleared the crossbar.United almost increased their lead 5 minutes later but Archie's low shot was cleared off the line with the keeper beaten. Matthews though could do nothing with United's 2nd goal after 37 minutes a free header by Darren Lockhart, from a corner by wee Georgie, with McConnell making sure with a tap-in. Carson could and probably should've made it 3 just before halftime when he latched onto an Andy Smith pass but Matthews somehow managed to keep the ball out with his legs.

United came out for the 2nd period with a 'what we have we hold attitude' and were subjected to a fierce barrage by the home team, but managing the odd breakaway them selves. Matthews distinguished himself with some good saves, as did Nelson in the United goals. Andy Smith was denied by a finger-tip save from Matthews, while McConnell screwed a shot wide when well placed. Matthews denied Carson once more when after good work by Cushley, the United midfielder saw his shot saved. Andy Smith was cautioned for a late tackle on a home player who had to go off injured and was lucky to escape punishment later for a reckless challenge on yet another player. David Cushley went down injured after a last ditch tackle and was replaced by Glenn Taggart, further proof of United's defensive attitude. Nelson got away with a decision to 'head' the ball away as a home forward closed in, making a hash of the attempted header but the home team couldn't take advantage. Darren Lockhart limped off with 15 minutes remaining with Surgenor taking his place. Five minutes later Ormo replaced the tiring Georgie boy and soon after coming on set up Andy Smith, who instead of 'killing' the ball and making sure tried for the spectacular and the ball sailed harmlessly over the bar. There was still time for an onslaught by the home team, plus the added 4 minutes of stoppage time but the United defence, in which Watson and especially Archie were outstanding, held out for a deserved but hard fought victory!


Nelson (8), M. Smith (7), Colligan (7), Alb: Watson (8), A. Stewart (8), G. Stewart (7), (Sub: Ormo 6), Lockhart (7), (Sub: Surgenor 6), Carson (8), Cushley (8), (Sub: Taggart 6), McConnell (7), A. Smith (7)

Man of the match: Archie Stewart

Walker Dozes!

On a late summer's day at the Showgrounds maybe it was understandable that manager Roy Walker delayed his master stroke until the dying minutes of the game. The manager, like a lot of men up in years, was probably having an afternoon doze, why else would he delay a crucial substitution until the dying moments of the game. Someone in the crowd called to the manager to get Nathan McConnell on with 15 minutes remaining, only to be answered by a 'loud mouth', that, that, would be a waste of time , to which the former replied' was he (the loud-mouth), happy with a score of 2-0 to the visitors and that the present two strikers were pretty ineffective to put it mildly. United, could and should, have won this game at a canter, they forced at least a dozen corners, without ever forcing a save from visiting keeper Coleman and dominated the match completely, yet were undone by two defensive clangers. It's hard for me to fathom our manager's thinking, when Albert Watson is so obviously struggling, then why is Archie Stewart left on the bench? I'm led to believe that United took the field with an unchanged team to that which took all three points at Institute, I wasn't there you see, so I can't be completely sure. The United defence were ,surprise! Surprise! undone by a set-piece. A corner from the left, a 'free header' to an opposing player, one nil to the visitors, how many times have we witnessed that scenario in the last nine seasons, innumerable I'd say. Why this statistic hasn't been sorted by our last three managers, one of whom was allegedly an International goalkeeper, is beyond my comprehension. That goal came after 7 minutes and when United tried to hit back, the well 'oiled' Newry off-side trap, aided and abetted by a linesman who was seldom up with play, constantly thwarted United. Still United did create some openings and Lockhart saw a left-foot shot just clear the bar, when surely he should at least have made the keeper earn his money. Despite forcing three corners in succession United couldn't find the key to unlock their resolute defence. the closest they came was an Andy Smith pile-driver which shaved the cross-bar. In a rare attack Newry did create an opening and Nelson made a fine diving save. Soon after Lockhart found his name in the referee's book when he protested too vehemently about an elbow on central defender Surgenor, ignored by both referee and linesman. Halftime was reached with the visitors 2-1 ahead and home fans hoping for a 'new face' to kick-start their revival, but knowing it was unlikely.

The second half was almost a carbon copy of the first, with United pressing but having no luck in front of goal. On one occasion a Cushley cross eluded the keeper, but Kelbie's toe poke came off the post. With United, despite forcing several unfruitful corners, unable to find a breakthrough, manager Walker finally called on new signing George Stewart, but held him back 5 minutes, a strange decision, before replacing, a by then injured, Carson (but maybe Carson wasn't the original intended replacee). There followed a real bizarre incident when Lockhart burst through the middle and as he approached the penalty area he was hauled down by a Newry defender and in a follow-up melee, visiting keeper Coleman shoved United's Andy Smith to the ground. As Lockhart was clean through, the defender had to be red carded and the keeper also for violent conduct, the referee however decided to yellow card the defender while the keeper got off scot-free. Flash-back to the United/Crusaders game on August 22 when United keeper Sean O'Neill was red carded for a similar offence and the United players and fans felt hard done by on this occasion. From the resultant free kick the ball was driven against the visitors 'wall' which makes one wonder what the players work on in training, when they haven't a clue how to defend or attack, dead ball situations. With 17 minutes remaining the match was taken beyond United's reach when Chris Morgan was somehow able to wriggle past three defenders before slotting the ball past Nelson. After which seemed a long time since this incident the United manager finally awoke from his afternoon nap and decided to bring on another striker. Now we had reached that stage known colloquially 'as die dog or shite the licence', in other words the time for finesse was over. I expected, nay earnestly hoped for us to go with three strikers and go on all-out attack, but our manager merely replaced the tiring Andy Smith with the cumbersome Nathan McConnell. Then on almost the stroke of 90 minutes he took off Cushley and brought on Ormo, both these substitutions in my opinion came about 20 minutes too late, but in a rare bit of luck, McConnell scored with a header in the 91st minute. Try as they might United couldn't even manage another attack and they continued their dismal home league record, played 4, lost 4, thankfully only one of their next four games (which includes a County Antrim Shield 1/4 final), are at home!


Nelson (6), M. Smith (6), Surgenor (5), Alb Watson (5), Colligan (6), Lockhart (7), Carson (6) (Sub: G. Stewart,6),Taggart (6), Cushley (6) (Sub: Ormo, 5), A. Smith (5) (Sub: McConnell, 6), Kelbie (5)

Man of the match: Darren Lockhart

Blue Circle!

Last season Glenavon came to the Showgrounds early in the season and ran out 3 nil winners, outplaying the Sky Blues in the process. Last night it was a 'repeat' as Glenavon once more put the sky Blues to the sword winning by 3 goals to nil. After the euphoria of a victory against league champions Glentoran, United and their fans came down to earth with a massive thud. In many ways the seal was set before a ball was kicked, when the United manager opted to start with Ormo in place of the more versatile Cushley, in an otherwise unchanged starting line-up. United had the first real chance when Colligan found Andy Smith with a deep cross and his header drew a good save from the giant Tuda Murphy. Soon after this United keeper Kerr slipped and had to receive extensive treatment from the physio.The first Glenavon goal came in the 25th minute when after Carson needlessly handled a high ball, Molloy's free kick deflected off a United defender leaving Kerr helpless. United were under the cosh at this stage and matters weren't helped when former player She[a] Campbell 'took a dive' to earn a free kick which brought Roy Walker rushing to the touchline to confront the sleeket Campbell. The United midfield where being completely dominated by the visitors and it was obvious that United needed something new at halftime.

Alas the teams resumed with the same personnel and the match was taken away from United 4 minutes into the second period. Not for the first time the United players 'fell asleep' and allowed the opposition to take a quick corner, bad and all as this was what followed was even worse. A Glenavon player was allowed to waltz into the area and square the ball to Tony Grant who managed to score at the 2nd attempt. The paltry few Glenavon supporters who made the trip, about 120 at the most, were besides themselves with joy. I know this game was carried over from the Saturday as it was 'black Saturday', but if United had expected a good 'gate' from visiting supporters they were disappointed and it's indicative of all supporters apathy as regards mid-week games. United manager Roy Walker finally made a change with Noel Anderson making way for Cushley, but Ormo somehow stayed on. Cushley did manage to get a couple of shots, one from a free kick on target but Murphy dealt easily with them. United's ineptitude in front of goal was aptly summed up when a Carson free kick was missed by three players when only a touch was needed. In a last throw of the dice the United manager took off Kelbie, who was admittedly way below par and brought on McConnell, but surely a better move would have been to go to three at the back and go with 3 strikers. Glenavon wrapped up the points when the defence once more allowed a player to get to the byline and cross for former player Stuarty 'Pinocchio' King to sidefoot the ball into the net. King then took off like a madman, almost as if he had scored the winning goal in the world cup. When I think of the 3 seasons King spent mostly kicked his heels at the Showgrounds his display beggars belief. As if to prove United's luck was completely out two incidents occurred in the closing stages. Firstly Darren Lockhart was booked when Glenavon forward Costello took a blatant dive and the linesman right beside the incident flagged for a non-existent foul. Then Nathan McConnell got to the byline and put in a cross which Murphy came for and missed and Cushley drove it across goal and Carson applied the fishing touch only for the goal to be ruled out by the same official for offside. This of course was impossible as Cushley was at best level with McConnell and therefore couldn't be offside and Carson came in to score from an on-side position, just our luck. Thankfully referee Carville, who was totally inept throughout, blew up before United could receive any more punishment.


Kerr [6], M. Smith [5], Colligan [5], Surgenor [5], Alb. Watson[5], Ormo [4], Carson [5], Lockhart [5], Anderson [5], [Sub: Cushley, 6], A. Smith [6], Kelbie [5], [Sub: McConnell, 6).


Man of the match: Andy Smith