Nothing Doing!

United failed in their bid to get to the next round of the Irish cup today, failed miserably I might add and are decidedly lucky to still be in the competition. In fact if it hadn't been for the heroics of 'man of the match' Sean O'Neill in the United goal, they wouldn't be still in the competition. In the enforced absence of central defender Chris Ramsay and Aiden Watson, through suspension, manager Walker gave a starting role to club Captain Gary Haveron, his first taste of first team action since breaking his leg against Coleraine back in mid-August. He also gave Mark Surgenor a game at rightback, allowing Mike Smith to take up a wide right role.

United were the better team in the first half and did create a few openings, but they couldn't find that final shot to beat Ards keeper Andy McDonald. Kevin Kelbie came closer than most midway through the half, when his half volley cannoned off the keepers chest, but before a United forward could react he dived on the loose ball. Numerous other chances were spurned by the wasteful Sky Blue players, failing to find the target with free headers was a prime example. Ards showed how it should be done near halftime when in a simple move their rightback swept up-field, slung over a cross and their number 9 killed the ball before shooting narrowly over the bar. United fans breathed a collective sigh of relief.

United manager Roy Walker outlined his hopes for the coming season and one of the things he wanted was a player, who when things were not going well, could pop-up and score a vital goal, alas that player has not yet been found and he was badly missed today. Ards came out with renewed confidence in the 2nd period and United were indebted to keeper O'Neill who saved their collective blushes when he pushed a goalbound shot for a corner. United failed to clear the ball from this corner and were indebted to Albert Watson for a timely block. United continued to fritter away the chances in the second half, a Cushley shot that missed the target, Kelbie driving the ball over with his right foot and Locky just failing to get a final touch when running through.

It was obvious changes were going to have to be made, but as usual they surprised me to say the least. The United manager decided on a double substitution taking Mark Surgenor off which was understandable, with George Stewart taking his place and Mike Smith switching to right back. The other substitution wasn't so predictable with Cushley, who admittedly not at his best, but a potential match winner, making way for Phillip Carson. It did almost prove to be an inspired substitution however as Carson's shot from 20 yards forced McDonald into a finger tip save at the expense of a corner. Stewart on the other hand was a complete flop as he frittered the ball away every time he got it and was a liability we could ill afford. Twelve minutes from the end Ards almost scored when O'Neill somehow managed to stop a goalbound shot with his foot when the United defence had been undone once more.

In a last throw of the dice United took off McConnell and brought on McNeill, but although the big reserve striker put himself about a bit, United couldn't find the telling pass to unlock the Ards defence. In fact the visitors created and missed the best chance of the game when one of their players missed an open goal with the United defence at sixes and sevens. United are still in the Irish cup, but only just and now face a tricky replay away to Ards at their temporary home, Dixon Park Ballyclare, where incidentally United triumphed last season against the Comrades. This is the time for the players to stand up and be counted, otherwise the season will end here as so many have, in utter despair!


O'Neill (8), Surgenor (6) (Sub: Stewart 5,), Colligan (6), Alb Watson (7), Archie (6), M. Smith (7), Lockhart (6), Haveron (7), Cushley (6) (Sub: Carson 6,), McConnell (6) (Sub: McNeill (6),), Kelbie (6)

Man of the match: Sean O'Neill