Second Rate!

United manager Roy walker was attempting to play down the importance of a win against tonight's opponents, Lisburn Distillery, in his quest for a top six finish next March. His line-up tonight, of a 4,5,1 formation was indicative of a man looking for a point, which in the end proved beyond us. Gazza, allegedly a flu victim last Saturday, replaced Gavin Taggart in the starting line-up, while Sparky came in for the dropped Gibbo at rightback. United, were with this line-up as you'd expect, pretty devoid of attacking ideas and it was the visitors who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half.

Twice United keeper Dwayne Nelson, came to his sides rescue with point blank saves, while at the other end, Murray hit the side-netting. Neither team had any idea how to break down the others defence and some of the fare served up was decidedly poor. Murray did come close with a dipping swerving shot that clipped the outside of the post, while Hanly should've done better, when left free on the right, but Matthews in the Whites goal easily saved his shot. The sides went in level at halftime and I thought surely Roy will bring Gibbo on at halftime as we were winning nothing in the air and Gazza was the pick of our players.

2nd Half
Alas we came out for the 2nd period with the same personnel and still devoid of ideas, although in fairness we did play some nice football. On one of our dainty inter-passing manoeuvres, Archie, slipped at the vital moment and the visitors bore down on our goal. Albert, a stalwart in defence, made a saving tackle, but the ball was only partially cleared. The ball fell kindly to the visitors left-winger and he was allowed to shoot at United's goal. Nelson could only parry the shot, his only mistake in the game and Thompson who was following up had the simple task of finding the net. United fans were perplexed at this turn of events and even more frustrated when their manager failed to act immediately. In fact it was a whole five minutes after the goal when Walker finally took off Sparky and brought on Gibbo.

This introduction made little or no impact and a short time later, Archie and Rory made way for Colligan and local boy Mo McDowell. Suddenly we looked like a different proposition and Mo was soon skipping down the wing, but his crosses were not being put away by our forwards. Hanly, badly off form at present, smacked a free kick off the crossbar and then moments later Denver, who had a poor game overall, missed with a free header. Gazza, had a shot blocked for a corner as we attempted to get something out of the game. Despite our pressure and another free header this time by Gibbo, who failed miserably to find the target, we never forced visiting keeper Matthews to earn his keep. Mo and Murray combined down the right and Murray's cross was missed by the Cutch. The goal just wouldn't come and we had lost another vital home game, what is the confidence like now heading into the Donegal Celtic cauldron next Saturday I wonder!

Nelson (6), Sparky (5)(Sub: Gibbo 6,), Archie (Sub: Colligan 6,), Denver (5), Albert (6), M.Smith (6), Rory (5)(Sub: Mo 7,), Gazza (7), Hanly (6), Murray (7), Cutch (5)

Man of the match: Gazza