Away Delights!

United got back to winning ways with this narrow, but fully merited victory over Lisburn Distillery. The scoreline was 1-0, but it really wasn't as close as that, thanks to several good saves from Whites keeper Billy Brennan and wasteful finishing from United players. Main culprit for United was top scorer Cutch, who definitely should've had a hat-trick, but it's hard to be critical of the 'wee' man as he scored the vital only goal. Manager Roy Walker restored big Denver to central defence, Colligan to left back, Murray to left midfield and Berry to right midfield. Sparky moved up front to partner Cutch and had probably his best game of the season, nice to see you back on form son.

United, superbly marshalled at the back by stand-in Captain, Albert, took the game to the home team from the outset and looked destined to get an early lead. The first real chance fell to Caff, who improves with every game, but he delayed his shot which was then blocked. Then Cutch set up Sparky but he chose to go for the narrow gap and hit it into the grateful arms of keeper Brennan. Referee Hetherington and not former United player Dessie Loughrey as advertised, denied United a cast iron penalty when Cutch was 'cleaned' in the box and surely if it wasn't a penalty Cutch should've been cautioned for simulation, which he wasn't. Cutch then somehow failed to score when a delightful Colligan cross was headed back to him by Sparky, although Brennan did well to save, but should've had no chance.

In a rare attack by the home team, United keeper Ryan Brown, calmed his defenders nerves by coolly plucking the ball out of the air, that's more like it Ryan I thought to myself. Referee Hetherington then committed another gaffe when as Cutch broke clear he was confronted by keeper Brennan who had rushed from his goal. As Cutch attempted to chip the keeper, he clearly handled the ball, an automatic red card, but the referee allowed play to continue. Two minutes later, Sparky, so dominant in the air, found Cutch unmarked and the wee man's first time shot was palmed for a corner by Brennan (who by now shouldn't have been on the pitch if the referee had done his job properly). Despite their dominance United had to settle for a scoreless first half, but we 'loyal' fans, were still hopeful of getting a result, B.P. take note.

2nd half
Disaster struck for United just moments into the 2nd period when Lee Colligan, back to his best, had to retire with an injury and was replaced by Gazza. This curtailed United's forward thrust down the left wing and when the Whites brought on a more mobile winger to put pressure on Gazza, manager Walker switched Berry to the left and Murray to the right. Murray, who had been 'quiet' up to that point, suddenly was back to his best and began torturing the Whites defence. I had been somewhat fearful before this game of two Ballymena old boys in the Whites line-up, Aaron Callaghan and David Cushley, but on this showing both would struggle to get in our reserve team. In fact Cush only once managed to break the stranglehold Mikey had on him, but Mikey (obviously warming up for his trial with Kilmarnock), recovered his ground easily despite giving Cush a 5 yard start and made a great and fair tackle.

With Murray and Mikey, what a combination, teaming up down the right, the Whites were really under the cosh. The pressure finally told when after a corner won by Murray, was returned to Caff, he then found Cutch at the far post with a top level pass and despite Brennan's despairing dive, the wee man headed United in front. That goal came in the 64th minute and two minutes later it should've been two, when former United player Callaghan, messed up and presented the ball to Cutch who weaved past him and then with the goal at his mercy completely miskicked and the chance went begging. Former United manager Tommy Wright (who ran out on the Sky Blues almost 3 years ago, a real critter of a quitter), took off the Cush but his replacement made little or no difference.

The much feared and respected Glenn Ferguson looked every day of his 41 years and surely the signs are there that he's truly spiked, past his sell by date. His one and only chance was a feeble attempt at an overhead kick, which fell into the arms of United keeper Ryan Brown, powder puff stuff. With 13 minutes left Ryan Berry, made way for Ballymena boy George Young, as United decided to close the game out. Despite the home team throwing everybody up at every opportunity, throw-ins, free kicks,the United defence held firm, with Albert and Gazza leading by example. During the 3 added minutes Rory came on for Murray and Ryan Brown was harshly booked for alleged time wasting. This booking was especially harsh as there are no ball boys at Ballyskeagh and goalies have to do their own ball retrieving which takes time. Still nothing could take away from United's deserved victory, we don't have home 'comforts', so let's just enjoy our away 'delights'!

Brown (7) Mikey (8), Lee (8)(Sub: Gazza 7,), Albert (8), Denver (7), Berry (7)(Sub: Young 7,), Taggart (6), Caff (8), Murray (7)(Sub: Rory 6,), Sparky (8), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Marky 'Sparky' Surgenor