Strike Force!

United finally managed to do what has eluded them for such a long time here tonight, beat the current Cliftonville team. They won this match fairly comfortably in the end against a Cliftonville side which was devoid of ideas. With new signing, Antrim boy, Chris Ramsey, making his debut in the United number 2 shirt, for so long the property of United legend and Antrim boy Marco 'the unbeatable' Carlisle, United could and should've blown the Reds away by halftime. Such was United's dominance that it was almost half an hour before keeper Dwayne Nelson had a shot worthy of the name. By then United should've been two up as first McConnell and then Anderson screwed shots wide when it looked easier to score. McConnel was also upended when through by home keeper Paul McKane, a challenge which evoked an inadequate yellow card.
Andy Smith wearing the Captain's armband in the absence through injury of Kevin Kelbie also contrived to miss a seemingly open goal. I say seemingly as with the 'jaundiced' view afforded at Solitude to visiting supporters it's pretty hard to tell, but from our long distance viewing point it looked like a bad miss. United survived a rare scare when Nelson rushed off his line, missed the incoming attacker but luckily he could't keep the ball form crossing the by-line. Halftime was reached with the game scoreless but I couldn't help thinking we've possibly blown our chance.

It was a much improved home side who resumed in the 2nd period and they were soon encamped in United's half and with our slipshod defendeing a score looked inevitable. Twice we left men completely unmarked, but weren't punished for it as their forwards drove wildly over the bar. United fans were calling for manager Walker to make a change, but to no avail. In a rare United attack McConnell forced the home keeper into a good save and Cushley's shot from the rebound appeared to be 'palmed' away by a defender, but the referee merely gave a corner. Manager Walker's hand was forced on the hour when new signing Chris Ramsey limped off and was replaced by Mark Surgenor, who went straight into central defence, releasing Darren Lockhart in to central midfield, Anderson to wide right and Mike Smith to his familar right back slot. Suddenly United were a different team and after some good work down the right Andy Smith's right-wing cross was headed into the net by his striker partner Nathan McConnell with Lockhart following up to make sure. That goal came in the 67th minute and 3 minutes later it was two. David Cushley bravely chased a supposed lost cause and when the ball broke kindly for him he laid it off to Andy Smith. Andy drifted past two sluggish defenders before planting the ball in the net for his first league goal in a United shirt.
The home team 'huffed and puffed' in their attempt to get back in the game but the United back four where Colligan was outstanding, held firm. On the rare occasions when the home team got past the United back four Dwayne Nelson was in tip top form and dealt capably with everything that came his way. With ten minutes remaining Nathan went off to a standing ovation, with reserve striker Paul McNeill taking his place. Cushley wasted two good chance before bringing a top class save from home keeper McKane. Despite the 3 minutes of added time the home team could not dent the United rearguard and they ran out deserved winners by two goals to nil. Let's hope when they return here in a fortnight's time for the County Antrim Shield semi-final, United can get a similar result against current league leaders Crusaders. But that's in the future, United have started the 2nd league phase with a win, dare I say it, bring on those Swifts!

Nelson (7), Ramsey (7), (Sub: Surgenor 7), Colligan (8), Anderson (7), Lockhart (8), Archie (8), M. Smith (7), Cushley (7), A. Smith (8), McConnell (8), (Sub: McNeill 7)

Man of the match: Nathan McConnell