'ard Luck!

Ards came to the Showgrounds today and put up a good fight against United, before losing 3-1. Manager Walker made three changes to his starting line-up from last week, leaving out Murray, Sparky and Archie and bringing in Andy Smith, Mo and Colligan. United took a bit of time to get into their stride and when they did begin to threaten, the Ards defence, superbly marshalled by ex-United player Darren Lockhart, were defending resolutely. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when a Hanly corner crept into the net. To me this looked like a direct score from the corner and obviously Showgrounds announcer Davy King didn't know either as he didn't say who had scored. We, the United fans, didn't really care, we were just glad to see a goal for our team and hoped it would be the beginning of the end for the plucky Ards team. We later found out it was an own goal by Ards defender Spence, but as I said it didn't matter.

Five minutes later we were presented with a chance to double our lead after a handball by another visiting defender. United had missed their two previous penalties, both awarded in the same game (v Newry), but I felt sure that this had been sorted out. Imagine my dismay when the ball was placed by top scorer Cutch, who had missed his previous kick. As he stepped up to hit it, former United keeper Aaron Kerr dived to his right, but Cutch blasted the ball wide of the goal at the other side, his right. Never mind the penalty miss I was a little concerned as my car was parked in Summerfield Street, but luckily the ball just stayed within the confines of the Showgrounds. United paid dearly for their benevolence 4 minutes later, when the visitors levelled the scores with a brisk shot from Sam Devine which gave Nelson no chance.

The United system with Andy Smith in left midfield, just wasn't working fluently and despite lots of possession they couldn't find that vital touch in front of goal. Mo on the right wing, wasn't working either and he blasted over when released by Cutch, a bad miss. Gibbo was having one of those days when nothing would go right for him and when he did find some space Lockhart was quick to get his tackles in. United were missing the guile of Murray, always available down the left wing and the subtle play of Mike Smith, when playing wide right, instead of his conventional rightback position today. It was obvious changes were going to have to be made with halftime approaching and I for one could hardly wait. The one man who wouldn't be changed at halftime was big Denver, who was back to his best today, dealing with every crisis that occurred in a businesslike manner.

2nd Half
As expected United made two changes with Murray and Sparky coming on for Andy and Mo. Murray went straight to the left wing while Sparky slotted in at rightback, releasing Mike Smith to right midfield. Suddenly we looked a much better team, with Murray and Mikey raiding on both wings. It seemed only a matter of time until the Sky Blues would take the lead, but the Ards defence, ably led by Lockhart soaked up everything we threw at them. United must have forced ten corners in this spell and won half a dozen free kicks, but they still couldn't get the vital breakthrough. The woodwork came to the visitors rescue on one occasion when a Hanly free was pushed onto the post by keeper Kerr. With 15 minutes left Darren Lockhart limped off the pitch to a deserved round of applause from the United fans and inadvertently this opened things up for the home side.

The breakthrough finally came in the 80th minute when a Hanly free kick from 35 yards was headed home by Gibbo and the relief of the home fans was almost palpable. Six minutes later the game was made safe when Mikey notched his first goal of the season, with a left-foot from close range, although the ball did appear to take a deflection. Murray, the substitute was surprisingly substituted with Archie coming on at leftback and Colligan moving to left midfield, but by then the sting had gone out of the game. Referee Hunter brought the game to a close and United had won their third game in a row and their 2nd in a row at home and with their third 3 goal haul in a row, just what is going to happen next I wonder!

Nelson (7), Mikey (7), Colligan (6), Albert (7), Denver (8), Mo (5) (Sub: Sparky 7,), Gazza (7), Hanly (7), Andy (5)(Sub: Murray 6,(Sub: Archie 6,), Gibbo (7), Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Denver Gage