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