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